Young And Restless

Whip-smart, talented and spunky – the new fold of models are the multi-hyphenates you didn’t know of. And they’re redefining the industry, one frame at a time.

- Tanya Mehta

If you’re a ’90s kid, you’ve probably grown up in the golden age of beauty pageants, a time when pearly white teeth, porcelain skin and legs for miles all contributed to the formulaic pre-requisites to make it to the cover of any glossy. Fast forward to circa 2019, and we’ve witnessed a wave of change in an industry that’s flouting hackneyed beauty standards, and championing alternative faces. In an ode to the whimsy, we’ve spotlighted five women who speak about identity, their multi-faceted careers and how they do it all.

SHERYL BENNETT, FASHION STYLIST

Bennett began modelling clothes on herself in a bid to hone her styling skills, little did she know that a curation of her personal portfolio would quickly transform into a modelling career. Scouted off Instagram by one of the country’s top talent agencies, Anima Creative Management, Bennett has in a short period of time fronted campaigns for celebrated jewellery brands as well as the industry’s most talented designers. Belonging to the quaint port city of Vizag, she completed her intermediate studies in Bengaluru before studying fashion communication at the National Institute of Fashion Technology in Jodhpur. While Bennett focuses most of her attention on modelling, she believes that a relevant social media account and a supportive agency have been indelible tools in pushing her career, “The industry has moved into a more inclusive space, providing representation to diverse groups. Also, it’s not only about physical appearance anymore, there’s now emphasis on your personality and the overall vibe you project. It’s imperative to be on board with a good agency, one that fights for your rights and promotes a good work environment, that coupled with a good social media reach helps put you on the map,” she says.

ALISHA BATTH, MUSICIAN