Reha Sukheja is over the moon. She has every reason to be so, having been chosen among 17 girls chosen from among the 118 models who auditioned for the Lakme Fashion Week. The 20-year-old Hyderabadi is all geared up and excited to walk the ramp for the best of designers from the country.
The enthusiasm is evident as Reha gushes, “I've previously walked the ramp for Manish Malhotra (for an awards night's nomination ceremony) and for Vikram Phadnis (for a private event). It was fun and a learning experience being amidst established models. I am excited to be part of what I consider to be ‘The' fashion week.”
She is awaiting her itinerary to know how many shows she will be required to be part of. “People think models just have fun and get paid huge sums of money for just walking the ramp. What they don't know is how tough it is out there. It's really hectic. Fashion Weeks are great platforms and it's up to the model how she makes use of the opportunity. I know it's up to me to make an impression,” says the 6ft 1 inch tall model who is studying second year B.A. Economics from Fergusson College, Pune.
Reha doesn't want to put her studies on the backburner. “A lot of people do that. I want to ensure that my foundation in education is strong. Luckily my college has been supportive and my friends help me out when I am on leave for modelling assignments. After graduation, I want to go to Milan to study fashion marketing,” she says.
The 20-year-old shot to fame when she emerged the first runner up at the I Am She pageant, spearheaded by Sushmita Sen. “Life changed for me both personally and professionally since the pageant. What I am today is because of I Am She,” smiles Reha.
Not many Hyderabad models have made it big nationally, which surprises Reha. “I see such pretty faces around me all the time. Young women here are well groomed, fit, intelligent and I bet they would look great on the ramp. Perhaps modelling is not on their scheme of things. I guess we need for more fashion shows being held here,” she suggests.
