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All set for the big ramp
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Bangalorean Shubra Aiyappa has been chosen to represent India in the 2005 edition of the prestigious Ford Supermodel of the World Contest
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I was made to lose more weight. I was definitely not the thinnest out there Shubra Aiyappa
PHOTO: V. SREENIVASA MURTHY
LIFE'S AMBITION Shubra Aiyappa: `I used to dream of being crowned Miss Universe when I was a kid. I always wanted to walk the international ramp'
Shubra Aiyappa is a name well known in the city's modelling circuit. But now the 18-year-old, first-year B.A. student at Mount Carmel College has taken a leap beyond walking the city's ramps. She has won the Indian round of the Ford Model Supermodel of the World Contest 2005 and is ready for the international stage.
Another protégé of Prasad Bidapa, she recalls that she dreamed of walking the ramp since her childhood, and one day, decided to approach Bidapa for a shot at her life's ambition.
"I used to dream of being crowned Miss. Universe when I was a kid. I always wanted to walk the international ramp. At 17, I started doing assignments with Prasad Bidapa."
In fact it was Bidapa who urged her to take part in the contest, which now has her heading to the United States. "One day Prasad just told me to give it a shot. He said that you just need to be above 5'7" in height and below 21 years of age. That's the story."
Shubra managed to beat 15 other finalists from all over India to the finals that will be held on January 12. She describes the Indian round as an eye-opener. "It was a great learning experience. It was more than just walking the ramp. It was hard work. Getting up at six in the morning, working out, dieting and then the back room work. The competition was tough. Till the last minute one could not guess the winner. Everything was so professional."
One of the highlights of this contest is that the participants don't have to answer any questions like in the Miss World or Miss Universe competitions. It is all about just walking the ramp. Pure and simple.
If there is one big factor that can be pinned as having worked in Shubra's favour it is her figure. Tall, thin to extent of being waif-like and leggy, she is exactly the kind of model a western agency looks for. But she says that even she was made to lose even more weight by organisers.
"I was made to lose more weight. I was definitely not the thinnest out there. In India the requirements are different. The main problem with Indian girls is the hips. The last year's winner was half my size. I have to lose more weight for the finals. They have prescribed a diet for me (with lots of fruits and cucumber). I have a gym regime and have been told specifically where to lose weight."
But even if she wins the finals will Western prejudice (skin colour) and bias (towards younger models) really allow Shubra to have a long career walking the ramps in Milan or Paris?
"I think one can sustain a modelling career abroad. Look at Ujjwala Raut. She is perfect example. But it does scare me a bit when I think of the future."
If Shubra Aiyappa wins at the finals on January 12 she will sign a contract with the Ford Model Agency and work assignments for them.
A.S.
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