Mumbai witnessed the grand finale of the most awaited, credible and prestigious beauty pageant of the year – Pantaloons Femina Miss India 2010 (PFMI 2010). The announcement of the winners came amidst a glittering star studded ceremony at the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) on Friday.
Neha Hinge was crowned Femina Miss India International, Manasvi Mamgai becomes Femina Miss India World and the Femina Miss India Earth crown went to Nicole Faria.
The top 30 contestants for ‘I AM She 2010 – the Official Preliminary to the 2010 Miss Universe were unveiled. These talented girls were selected through a nation wide huntand Sushmita Sen, the soul of I AM SHE 2010 and the proud mentor for these young beauties played host to the event. Miss Asia Pacific 2000 and renowned Bollywood actor, Dia Mirza, encouraged the girls and added further excitement to the festivities.
The selected 30 contestants will undergo three weeks of intensive training under the most eminent experts in communication, diet, personal grooming, fashion, fitness etc. The likes of Sathya Saran, Dr. Jamuna Pai, Lubna Adam, Bharat & Dorris, Sandip Soparrkar will guide these girls through this hard-working, disciplined yet exciting journey. The contestants will be indulged with the best apparel brands like Marc Jacobs, Stella Mccartney, Moschino, Alberta Ferretti, Jean Paul Gaultier, Lanvin Alexander Mcqueen, Halston, Diane Von Furstenberg in the finale’ and certain sections of the grooming tenure.
Speaking on the occasion Sushmita Sen confessed “Today, being the India license holder for holding the preliminary to ‘2010 Miss Universe’ pageant, 16 years after bringing the crown to India, feels like life has come full circle for me. Having been in that position I understood that language could be a barrier for many aspiring women, and thus we are proud to say that ‘I AM She 2010’ has no language barrier… we allow the contestants to express themselves in any language they are comfortable with, aided by interpreters. I believe Indian girls are the most beautiful in the world and without doubt have the most substance and courage in them. I aspire to celebrate the uniqueness of these 30 deserving contestants and hope to bring back the crown this year!”
After harvesting immense popularity all over the world, beauty pageants step into a new territory as US based media and entertainment player Lafango.com launches ‘Miss eWorld 2010’. It is the first ever-online beauty contest in the history of international beauty pageants.
Apart from its idea of origin, the contest is innovative in several ways. It welcomes every female between 18 to 40 years of age and that too at zero cost. Contestants from across the world are invited to win the Miss eWorld 2010 crown and take with them prize money of $10,000. There will be four rounds in total, with number of finalists being reduced after each round by way of online voting by the Lafango community. Contestants need to upload their photos as per the requirements of different rounds. The top 10 contestants chosen for the fourth and final round will then submit a video. This video must be in response to a question that will be provided just prior to the start of this final round. In the end, one final contestant with highest numbers of votes will be crowned as Miss eWorld 2010.
Beautiful women, we hope you like the idea and will love the contest as well. So please prime yourself. Set in now, as it will neither rob you of your time nor money. The “Miss eWorld 2010” contest will be open for submission until May 15, 2010. Contestants can register at www.misseworld.com or http://lafango.com/miss-eworld-2010-beauty-pageant to submit their entries.
Proud and confident, she is a leo with highly attractive looks and an awesome body. As leo’s go, she likes attention and is bold and dramatic. Having been an ardent part of the Indian fashion industry for over 13 years she was crowned Miss Bombay in 1995 and is known for her work both on and off the ramp. Over the years being a part of every fashion week and walked the ramp for every designer she was recently in the news over her second attempt of going completely bald. She had first gone for this look over ten years ago and then in January, in Goa talking about her bald look, she again went under the razor for a nice and shiny head. Meet Diandra Soares, one of the pillars of the Indian fashion scene.
Family and Academics…
Oh well I’m from Bombay through and through. I was born and brought up here, did my schooling and then went to St. Xaviers right here. I have a brother and a younger sister.
Parent’s reaction to your choice of modeling as a career…
I started modeling at the age of 16. At that point of time neither my parents nor did I consider this as a serious career maneuver. However as I worked and moved forward they were extremely supportive towards what I did.
First modeling assignment…
My first assignment was a commercial for Tips and Toes. It was a lipstick and nail polish brand at that time in the country.
Greatest achievement till date…
I don’t know. Honestly I don’t really pinpoint to something particular to be my greatest achievement. I come from a non modeling family; no one in the past has ever even been remotely related to modeling. I think that in this life, having done what I have done is an achievement in itself.
Idea of an ideal date
Well I’m not exactly a dating kind of person. So not any particular scenario in mind.
When not modeling what are you most likely to be found doing…
I love spending my time doing yoga and working out. I also like to read and watch movies in my free time. I also have a passion for cooking !!
Essentials for a model to climb the ladder of success…
Views on Indian vs. Western models…
Honestly, India has had a tendency of copying the west. There came a time when models even started aping the anorexic trend of the western ramp. It was a frightening sight to see such thin models. I would say that all the models that have become famous over the years and have sustained themselves are because of a different personality that they have. Every model whether Indian or western who’s has been on the top is because of a personal style and personality they bring with themselves to the ramp; which it seems is missing in the newer generation.
Some small snippet about the industry…
Well one thing that a model must learn to accept is that you will never be considered perfect. Everyone will have different views, some will like you for your looks, some will not. One must learn to take it all in their stride and be secure within. Only the strong survive the industry.
Quick snippets 
FAVORITE FOOD: Tandoori chicken
FAVORITE PERFUME: Pleasure by Estee Lauder
FAVORITE LINGERIE BRAND: La Senza
FAVORITE DESIGNER: Malani Ramani, Rohit bahl, James Ferrara
FAVORITE HOLIDAY DESTINATION: Goa
FAVOURITE MUSIC: House and hip hop
YOUR PIECE OF ADVICE FOR UPCOMING MODELS: Know your positives and negatives. Enhance your positives and work on your negatives.
Giselli Monterio, the striking beauty from Brazil is the face of Wills Lifestyle’s new chic Spring-Summer campaign. The much-awaited Spring/Summer collection by Wills Lifestyle is marked with its unique and distinctive style to enthrall the fashion conscious once again this season. The fresh-faced Giselli’s quintessential blend of spirit and style, makes for an ideal connect with Wills Lifestyle’s new classy summer campaign.
Giselli after starting her modeling career successfully at the age of 17 has travelled around the world and has made her presence felt on the international runways. Her stint with Indian film industry was established with the blockbuster movie Love Aaj Kal, portraying the role of an old fashioned Punjabi girl. Her journey in Bollywood will definitely 
take her to new heights of success as she has bagged her second film titled ‘Puraani Jeans’ under the banner of BR Chopra.
Giselli’s beautiful look styled by the remarkable make-up personality Brendon Degee, embodies the glamour and elegance of the joyful collection and hence is a perfect match for the campaign. The ad is been shot by the reputed photographer R Burman whose creative genius is evident in every shot as he invokes the divine spaces of breathtaking French Vineyards. Styled by one of country’s leading stylists Gautam Kalra, every look in the campaign has been well presented keeping a balance between the theme of romance and the effervescent Wills Lifestyle collection.
Sharing his thoughts on the new campaign, Mr. Atul Chand, Divisional Chief Executive, ITC’s Lifestyle Retail, said “Giselli Monterio has an incredible blend of style and personality and she fits seamlessly into our new summer campaign. The campaign makes a fresh and enthralling statement representing the distinctive characteristics of Wills Lifestyle. It portrays the brand identity by making a bold statement of leadership in fashion amidst finest fashionable setting.”
A fresh face in the industry, who walked in on the fashion scenario just about 9 months ago, the 5’10” tall confident girl has aced the competition with her positive attitude towards life. She firmly believes that “Whatever happens, happens for good”. To every new challenge, she puts her best foot forward and walks it through.
She is also a passionate dancer and has learnt Kathak for 5 years; however her greater fondness is towards Bollywood and Western Dance, besides writing poetry in her free time.
Let us introduce you to the elegant Kriti Sanon, who you know for television commercial Close Up and will soon see her in an upcoming ad for Himalaya Face Wash. Kriti was also spotted walking the ramp for a number of famous designers at the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week 2010.
Family and Academics…
I was born and brought up in the heart of the nation, Delhi, in a family of professionals. My father is a charted accountant, my mother is an associate professor at the Delhi University and my younger sister is presently in 12thstandard. I did my schooling from Delhi Public School R.K. Puram. I’ve been a bright student scoring above 90% throughout. I’m presently pursuing B.tech (ECE) from Jaypee Institute of Information Technology, Noida.
Parent’s reaction to your choice of modeling as a career…
My mother was quite open to my choice of career from the beginning. There was a bit of hesitation from my father’s side. However, now he’s fine with it as long as I’m able to complete my education along with modeling. Both of them want me to excel in whatever field I finally choose.
First modeling assignment…
My first assignment was a print shoot for Reliance Trends.
Greatest achievement till date… 
All the assignments that I have done are components that work towards my achievements. I don’t grade them as milestones but rather as stepping stones.
Idea of an ideal date
I think I would go by the traditional and romantic setting of a candle-light dinner somewhere on the beach, with the wind blowing through my hair and the salty waves chasing circles in the sand.
When not modeling what are you most likely to be found doing…
More often than not I will be found rushing from one class to another and coping with my studies!
Essentials for a model to climb the ladder of success…
Views on Indian vs. Western models…
I personally feel that Indian models are more elegant with sharper features and a well shaped body. Although a lot of western models are being seen on the ramp, but still all the top ones are Indians.
Small snippet about the fashion industry you would like to share…
Since I’m new to the industry, it appears to be a whole new world full of amazingly talented people, be it the designers, make-up artists, stylists, choreographers, photographers and even the models.
Quick snippets
FAVORITE FOOD: Chinese
FAVORITE PERFUME: Davidoff’s Coolwater
FAVORITE DESIGNER: Ritu Beri, Suneet Varma, Niki Mahajan
FAVORITE HOLIDAY DESTINATION: Goa
FAVOURITE MUSIC: Bollywood
YOUR PIECE OF ADVICE FOR UPCOMING MODELS: Believe in yourself and in your dreams and never compromise on your self-respect.
She always wanted to be a cardio surgeon…tried hard but that desire did not materialise. Instead, what fell in place was quite-an-enviable modelling career. Well, life is like that…You begin somewhere and end up elsewhere. Coming from the city of Kolkata, this leggy lasso was awarded the First Runner-up title at the Miss Asia Pacific 2003 contest. Infact topping her kitty of accolades, she holds several other titles like Miss Talent, Miss Congeniality, Miss Creamsilk and Miss Gandang Rickyreyes (a local contest for the best hairstyle) in Manila, Philippines. She has a firm belief that social causes can keep one grounded. Therefore, she is associated with Bal Shiksha Sadan and looks after the education department. We caught up with Shonal Rawat and explored her real self. You read on to know her some more…
Quick snippets
Preview /Shoots/catalogues / shows
Editorials
Print
Shows/Showings
1. TGIF showings
2. Showings for designer Rabani and Rakha
3. Show for Aza
4. Menu Bakshi show
5. WIFW, 10
6.Ogaan Showings
TVc/Print
1. TVC for close up commercial
2. Shoot for India life insurance
3. Print shoot for Reliance Trends
