International models add spice to India Fashion Week

India Fashion Week is going global with a horde of international models adding zing to the event.

New Delhi. Sept 9 : India Fashion Week is going global with a horde of international models adding zing to the event.

The on-going five-day fashion extravaganza is seeing a lot of foreign models walking the ramp for many renowned designers.

More than 10 models from across the globe are part of this biggest fashion event this time.

"I think it's much easier here, because the market hasn't been discovered here yet. So, there are not many international models. It's definitely easier than in Europe... I have been here for two months and I cannot complain," said model Barbara Brabcova, from Czech Republic.

Indian designers too prefer international faces because of their exotic looks and the charismatic appeal.

More and more designers and brands are today going in for foreign models because they generate interest towards their collections.

"They are beautiful girls. Indian girls, international girls what difference does it make? As long as they are beautiful, they walk the ramp," said Varun Behl, designer.

Meanwhile, these foreign models are also being taken up by a large number of premium brands to model for their brands.

However, the Indian models feel threatened by the presence of these fair-skinned divas and there is an increasing resentment amongst them.

According to top model Lakshmi Rana, Indian fixation with fair skin brings out the colonialist mindset or the slave mentality that Indians have been living with for long.

"I really feel that they are doing it for the glamour. Probably for more publicity, don't know for what reason, probably for the slave mentality we Indians have had for the longest time in our history. But, I really feel we should get over it and we should be proud of our own skin and be comfortable in our own skin," said Indian model Lakshmi Rana.

But, there are others who feel it is a good sign and the entry of these international faces brings a new look to the event.

"That just speaks for the fact that Indian fashion is changing. We have always wanted to send our models to New York, Paris, and Milan. Now, it is time that they also take it. It says that Indian fashion is on the world map," said Neha Kapur, another model.

With Indian designers and models making to some of the world's biggest fashion fiestas, the trend seems to be reversing with the increasing inflow of these foreign models into India.

ANI