The Faces Uniting Fashion

Fashion brings people together. Our cover stars prove this perfectly. They come from different parts of the country and wear their unique identities like a badge of honour. After all, the only currency that truly counts in this industry is individuality.

ARCHANA AKIL KUMAR

Archana Akil Kumar, born in Bengaluru and now based in Delhi, was selected as one of the top 10 models around the world at Elite Look of the Year in 2011. Since then, her career has soared. Not only has she worked with India’s biggest designers, she has also walked at New York Fashion Week in 2017 for Bibhu Mohapatra, her dark skin representing the country on a large, global platform.

How has the industry changed since you made your debut?

Our country is so obsessed with fair skin and brightening creams, it’s like a constant reminder that we need to bleach or apply something. To come into the limelight, and have so much visibility for our melanin, seeing it now in campaigns and magazines and commercials, is a huge breakthrough.

Did you find support when you entered the industry?

My agency at the time didn’t send me to TV commercial castings— I am dark, and they said I have an unconventional face. I did campaigns for Sabyasachi, who made me this beautiful dusky Indian girl, and have received support from big designers like Tarun Tahiliani and Manish Malhotra as well. It just takes once person to believe in you.

GLORIA TEP RENGMA

Gloria Tep Rengma has challenged mainstream norms of beauty since 2015, when she was a finalist on India’s Next Top Model. Born to a Malayali father and Naga mother, her features are unlike those of any other in the industry. And while her mixed heritage dominates her identity, it has also opened doors to fashion editorials and ramp shows, where looking different is nothing but an asset.

In India’s Next Top Model, you had mentioned an “identity crisis”, saying you never quite fit in. How has that changed for you?