For someone who is known for having scorched the ramp as one of India’s most famous supermodels, Mehr Jesia Rampal is very clear about not wanting to get back to walking the ramp — unless it’s a special occasion.
“Modelling is not about work anymore. My priority is my family and then there’s my events production company. And that’s why I only chose to walk for two shows in the recent past — one being for my dear designer friend Tarun (Tahiliani) and the other one being the Mai Mumbai charity show for Vikram Chatwal,” says Mehr, very matter-of-factly.
She is kicked about hubby Arjun Rampal’s plan to open a lounge. “The lounge is called LAP and don’t ask me why because it’s solely Arjun’s call,” she laughs. “The first one should open in Delhi by mid-June. We are also looking at Mumbai though that could take a while,” she says, pointing out that she isn’t really providing any inputs for this venture. “He’s (Arjun) his own person and he doesn’t need any help from me,” says Mehr.
Which brings us to yet another interesting question: How did she zero in on the sari that Arjun gifted Nicole Kidman? “I am in love with Tarun’s creations; they are worth the effort that goes into wearing a sari! So, all I did was ask his sister Tina to send me some ten saris as options and I then chose this beautiful and classy olive gold sari that took my breath away. I knew I had to gift it the minute I saw it,” replies Mehr.
Lastly, what is her take on the lack of an Indian supermodel today? “Even internationally, there’s a sheer paucity of supermodels. Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista and Christy Turlington — all these supermodels belong to the years gone by and the current crop is no match. But I think we need to give more young models a chance to prove themselves and I am sure the supermodels will soon return,” she avers.
