Girls About Town

Models infuse life into clothes. They are the beauty in motion, turning a designer’s vision into reality as they strut in their heels on the runway. A peek into the lives of our cover girls Alina Baikova, Suzanne Baker, Urvashi Umrao and Nidhi Sunil.

Nidhi Sunil

Did you always want to be a model?

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I wasn’t inclined to pursue modelling as a career. No one in my family has any connections or any clue about the fashion industry. I was scouted while helping my friend for a location recce for a photo shoot in Bangalore.

What happened next?

Stepping into the business was part roses and part thorns. I had a lot of supportive voices, but I definitely had more than my share of detractors. I love shooting, be it in front of the camera or being on the set. The collective effort of creating something beautiful is what drives me. So, I took the rest in my stride.

Where do you see yourself in five years from now?

Honestly, I have no clue. I have never had a five-year plan, and I don’t intend to start it any time soon.

What does an average day look like in Nidhi Sunil’s life?

I go through phases. There are days that I really look forward to, and I wake up to my big mug of steaming Indian cutting chai. No jokes! I then head for my yoga practice, as I prefer working out first thing in the morning. It really sets the tone for the day. I have been a regular practitioner of yoga for two years now. I also turned vegetarian around the same time.

I travel a lot and have been learning how to surf. I caught my first two five feet waves out in the water by myself in Sri Lanka a month ago. I think the key to a good life is to keep learning. It makes things interesting.

And what is your skincare regime like?

I drink a lot of water. I try to use natural ingredients on my skin, and try not to use anything that I wouldn’t actually be able to eat. This is not always feasible, especially because my daily life involves working with makeup, but it comes off as soon as work is done. I never sleep with makeup on.

If you were not in the fashion industry, where would you be?

I would probably be a legal professional, arbitration, IP or environment. Most likely, all three! The first two for the money and the last one pro bono. That was what I studied and was interested in before this life happened.

What are the things that make you cringe about being in the modelling industry?

• The unreal body standards and how really young girls — children actually, abuse their bodies to keep their pre-pubescent figure and continue working into their ’20s. • The way products are advertised using objectifying images of young girls and boys who are probably yet to discover their own sexuality. • The fact that New York Fashion Week just got its first private changing area in 2018. • When I am introduced to a new group of people at a dinner table, the natural assumption is that I am a bit dim upstairs! I always feel like I have to work just a bit extra to prove them wrong. • Waiting for clients and agencies for months to pay you and being made to feel like a stalker asking for your own money.

Urvashi Umrao

Was it expected of you to become a model?

No, in fact, I was more of an anti-model. I never liked getting photographed. I was never into clothes and makeup or even art for that matter. I was a tomboy. But when this opportunity struck, I decided to go with the flow. It was something that was so peculiarly different from what I have ever done in my life, something that no one would have ever imagined for me. I thought it would be really interesting to see what it entails.

I also wanted to be the one to bust myths related to the industry and tell people the truth as it actually is. Another reason was that my agents had told me to gain weight for this job, ironically. It is like a mission for me because I have always been skinny.

Do you have a plan B?

I have never planned for the future. I always make short-term goals. Before modelling happened, I was studying psychology. If modelling wasn’t my calling, I would have been an academic.

Are there things that make you think of taking up something in academics?

Yes! Early morning call times, fake and shallow people, people on set having a bad taste in music (laughs). Music decides what my level of energy will be, apart from food, of course! This is why having salads for every meal or being on a diet is what I don’t like. Of course, clients dropping models at the last minute!

So, was stepping into this business like walking on thorns?

Surprisingly, in the beginning, everything came easily to me. I got placed with international agencies within two months of my career. My first job got me on the cover of a magazine, so I was travelling abroad and getting good opportunities. I think at that point I started taking my job for granted. Months later, I realised my mistake when things were getting tough, when I was unable to keep myself in shape. I faced a lot of rejections, and did not get jobs for long.

In a span of these two years of being a model I have realised that modelling is anything but a bed of roses. The competition is stiff, the work is exhausting that requires endless amount of patience. Will power and energy as well as the ability to keep oneself in a good mental space, considering the negativity that thrives in this industry, are important.

How do you start your day?

Like any other millennial, I start my day by checking all my social media accounts. It’s hard for me to lead a disciplined life, but as of now I have been on track. I sleep and wake up on time, work out and get odd jobs done. I look forward going back to bed as soon as I wake up (laughs). I love to read.

What do you do to keep your skin flawless?

As of now I don’t have a perfect regime in place. It’s a big deal for me if I can remember to use sunscreen!

How would your life be five years from now?

Probably, I will have a more stable life and will be able to deal with life’s problems with more maturity. Also, having a stock of better jokes than the ones I throw at people these days (laughs).

Suzanne Baker

Did you choose the modelling world or was it the other way round?

I was discovered by Mark and Gunita in Guwahati while I was auditioning for Lakmé Fashion Week. So, you can say that modelling chose me and I am ecstatic. I still remember the feeling. I have learnt so much in this industry.

So, you always wanted to be a model?

I would probably be just an ordinary student, going to college, just being an average Joe. I am glad they discovered me. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

You love your job. But, is there anything that you don’t?

Yes, really early call times! I don’t like seeing someone getting shamed for the way they look or for something they do at a shoot, or when I don’t understand what the client wants. And yes, when there’s lipstick on my teeth in a photograph!

Who is Suzanne, the girl?

I am an otaku. I love watching anime and reading manga comics. It has always fascinated me. In the future, I would love to visit Japan and participate in cosplays. I wouldn’t say ‘a bed of roses’ but it was a smooth sail for me because of my agency. I don’t think I experienced anything that I couldn’t handle. Yet. Although there are things that get me uncomfortable at times, but nothing that would throw me off the edge.

How do you start your day and what is it that you look forward to when you wake up?

I start my day with a really healthy vegetable juice that includes carrots, beetroot, cucumber and gooseberries. After that I fill myself up with a fruit bowl and egg whites for energy. I look forward to doing my beauty regime after I wake up. I find it very soothing and therapeutic.

What’s your fitness and skin care regime like?

I always try to work out whenever I have time and do a mix of exercises as instructed by my trainer. I include fruits in my meals and sip on green tea throughout the day. It keeps my skin looking hydrated and fresh. My skin is sensitive, so I use medicated products and lather on sunscreen before stepping out. Oh, and loads of sleep!

Would you still be modelling, say five years from now?

I really don’t know what the perfect way to answer this question is. Honestly, I am going with the flow at the moment. Five years ago, I never expected to be a model but the future can surprise you.

Alina Baikova

What inspired you to be a model?

Honestly, I never really wanted to be a model, but it was like the universe conspired to make me one. I am very happy and lucky it happened that way. I have a very humble background, and growing up in Ukraine, I never imagined that I would be modelling. But, if I had a choice between continuing my education and becoming a model, I would choose the former. I feel our destiny does not depend on what we want. Life, on the other hand is what we adopt and adapt to. Having said that, if you ask me where I would be if I wasn’t a model, I would not be able to tell you. Or probably like most of the girls back home, I would be married with children.

Although, you did not want to be a model, what are the things that you like about modelling?

I like the lifestyle, and that I meet amazing new people, and I get to travel the world.

What do you look forward to when you wake up?

I wake up two hours before I have to head out for a shoot. I never miss watching Bloomberg TV and France 24 (in English) as I sip onto my cup of espresso. I try and answer all my emails and messages in the morning before I head out for work. I always look forward to a new day and hate sleeping as I think I am missing out on life (laugh).

What’s your fitness and skincare regime like?

I do different kind of fitness activities that depends on my mood. I exercise, practice boxing, bootcamp, shock therapy, and my 30 minutes with Mo Elzomor and Hot Yoga. New York, where I live now, is where workout spaces are available everywhere, so it’s easy to stay in shape. I love Biologique Rechercher skincare products. I use all their sets (Lotion P50, Eye cream Biofixine, Serum Colostrum and Mask Vernix which I use as a cream).

Where do you see yourself in five years?

I used to try and plan my life so much at one point. But, I gave up on it, as it never works the way one wants it to be. In fact, they end up being better than my original plans. So, I just live, enjoy my life and wait for life to show what’s in store for me.

Suzanne Baker, Urvashi Umrao and Nidhi Sunil photographed by Anai Bharucha@Faze Management, styling by Ujjwala Raut. Alina Baikova photographed by Carlos Ruiz, styling by Gerard Angulo. Models: Suzanne Baker and Urvashi Umrao@Anima Creative Management, Nidhi Sunil, Alina Baikova@Next Models. Makeup: M.A.C (Gio Lozano for Alina). Hair: Franco Vallelonga@Faze Management (Erick Moreno for Alina). Fashion assistant: Deviyani Gupta.

From the March 2018 issue of L’Officiel India.