Playing with bubbles as she swims through the waves, scuba diving, she is at her personal best. A huge fan of adventure sports, her next target is to overcome her fear of heights as she attempts sky diving. She started out pretty young in life and travelled a lot for her work. For her this has been a fruitful journey with various ups and downs and numerous lessons. She believes in absorbing the all the good there is in life and moving forward. Life is not about being low and reliving your mistakes, it is about taking the best of it all and seeing the good that life has offered.

• Know where you are heading 
• A good personality
• Have a head over your shoulders
• Create goodwill
• Groom your self well

• Patience
• Confidence
• Determination
• Hard work
• Right attitude

You know her and have seen her countless times as a dusky beauty walking down ramps with an elegance, fit for a queen. She has been part of every fashion week since it all started.  To give you more to think about, she was the winner of the first season of Fear Factor, Khatron Ke Khiladi. She has been part of a number of films like Thakshak, Bhopal Express, Inteqam and Chot, won best debut award from Star Screen jury for Bhopal Express. She has also been the face for numerous ads like Tanishq, Chevy Cruz, Leela Group of Hotels, De Beers, and Ponds.

About herself she says, “I am a very simple person and I like my space. I also am extremely hard working and strong willed. I believe life is full of ups and downs and there will always be changes and sudden pleasant and unpleasant surprises, so you need to take life lightly and always remember that you need to be a good human being. Be compassionate and sensitive to people and be kind hearted.

Learn to be content at some point in time— at least once you feel you have achieved certain things in life because life is too short to be sad, angry, upset or greedy!

Look around you, see how beautiful God made this earth and its creatures–both inanimate and alive and smile!!!!”

Currently she has been shooting for covers of Femina, Me, Verve and more recently for The Man (March 2010) and Vogue (April 2010).  Right now, she is hosting a show with the National Geographic Channel called Apollo Flight of the Hawkz to be aired in May 2010.

Family and Academics…
Well I was my parent’s only child. I have had a lovely childhood in Baroda, from where we moved to Bombay. We always had a dog in the house who was the fourth member of the family. My schooling is from Baroda from Jesus and Mary and I did my grads from MS University in Psychology honors.

Parent’s reaction to your choice of modeling as a career…
My parents have been the constant pillar in my life. They were open to my choice of career and were supportive in everything that I did.

First modeling assignment…
My first assignment was when I was selected as the Look of the Year for Femina in the year 1997. It was also around that time that I went to Milan for a while.

Greatest achievement till date…
I am truly not the kind of person to grade my achievements as great or small. Everything in my life has held its own importance.

Idea of an ideal date
Well I’m not the kind of romantic to dwell on ideal dates. Somebody who is true to you as a person and has that real approach to life is all you need.

When not modeling what are you most likely to be found doing…
When I’m not working, I like to catch up on my sleep which as at times it is really elusive with all the work. Apart from that, I like to sketch and catch up on some house cleaning when I’m free.

Essentials for a model to climb the ladder of success…

• Perseverance
• Good body
  
• Taking care of oneself
  
• Discipline

Views on Indian vs. Western models…
There is a striking difference in the Indian and the western models. They tend to grow up early mentally as well as they start working from an earlier age. India as a country is more prudish about its work.

A small snippet bout the industry…
The fashion industry is very eclectic and it allows you to get time off to be yourself and do things you like. At the same time it can be extremely demanding and taxing with the pressures it puts on you and the hours you give to your work. It’s an amazing field where you get to meet so many creative, cool people.

Quick snippets

FAVORITE FOOD: Thai and home cooked anything (all vegetarian though)

FAVORITE PERFUME: Pleasures and Coco Channel

FAVORITE LINGERIE BRAND: don’t have any favorites

FAVORITE DESIGNER: Vera Wang, Alexander Mcqueen, Sabyasachi, Gaviin Miguel

FAVORITE HOLIDAY DESTINATION: lots of India, south of France, New York

FAVOURITE MUSIC: anything pleasing to the ear and soft. There are days I love western classical, or Indian classical and sometimes I love psychedelic trance

YOUR GREATEST FEAR: never want to give it any importance but writing or talking about it

YOUR PIECE OF ADVICE FOR UPCOMING MODELS: You need to be disciplined, hardworking, and down to earth. Learn to respect your colleagues and your body and always have faith in yourself. 

She has been all over the place..you name it…Paris, New York, Milan, Athens, Tokyo, Barcelona, Denmark, Copenhagen and now India… she started in Milan as a 16 year old and has never looked back again, touring the world alone, working and discovering along the way, every place you can associate with fashion, in her 6 year tenure.

She believes in moving forward every day mentally as well as physically and looking forward to a new and interesting start. Her family, friends, spirituality and her work are the essentials in her life.

Essentially from Latvia, Eugenia moved to India 8 months ago to find a new work culture and a different world. India fascinates her with its myriads of culture and its free air. We caught up with her as she was hurrying through her dinner in Chennai after her show for James Ferrara in the IPL tournament and her next flight to Ahmedabad for another show.

Family and Academics…
I was born in the old USSR country, called Latvia. I am Russian by birth. I lived in Latvia until I was 13 years old, where after my mother and I moved to Denmark where my mother got married. Since that time I lived in Denmark for around 9 years. My schooling was all over the place and it was in the middle of school that I started with my modeling. At the moment I am living in India and concentrating on making the best of it.

Parent’s reaction to your choice of modeling as a career…
Since I was little all my friends use to call me a model. I was always very skinny and had long legs. My mother was always very open for whatever I wanted to do.She still collects all my pictures and is very proud of where I am today. My family has always supported me in everything that I do.

First modeling assignment…
My first modeling assignment was when I was 16. I went to Milan for the first time alone after I signed up with an agency which saw my potential and signed me up.

Greatest achievement till date…
I think my greatest achievement after all these years in the industry is that I have learned how to deal with people. I have seen different countries, different model markets and plenty of people. I have my own experiences regarding work and countries.

Your reasons and plans of settling in India…
I had some reasons for moving to India. My aunt is living in Goa and has an Advertising consultancy ´Challenge studio 21´.
In general, I like India. I appreciate the spiritual side of India, although I think India is slowly losing that touch, especially in the big cities.

Your plans for IPL…
Yes you have heard it right.I am going to participate in the IPL project and I am really looking forward to that. IPL is huge in India and it is exciting for me to be a part of it. I find it interesting and as a foreigner, I will get new experiences by traveling different parts of India and seeing India from different sides. I know a lot of people who are working for this project which gives it a more easy and homely feel.

Your favorite photographer…
Steven Meisel. He really knows how to photograph women. Most of his pictures have a relaxed and free mood, which makes them look natural and beautiful.

When not modeling what are you most likely to be found doing…
I try to keep myself active as much as possible. I usually go out with friends, indulge in some kind of sports, seeing new places and reading. I try to set small goals for myself every day.

Five essentials for a model to climb the ladder of success…

• Character
• Individuality
  
• Strong personality
  
• Hard working
  
• Sociable
  

Views on Indian vs. Western models…
Indian model market is very different from the Western.  I would say that India is still conservative, which stops it from coming at par with its western counterparts. It will take India a few more years to develop its fashion industry before it can be set up with a Western outlook.

However, India has its own huge market, which is slowly developing and is doing well in India.

Quick snippets  

FAVORITE FOOD: My grandma’s food, Russian delicacies and chocolate.

FAVORITE PERFUME: Mont Blanc

FAVORITE LINGERIE BRAND: Victoria Secrets

FAVORITE DESIGNER:  Bruuns Bazaar, Rajesh Pratap Singh

FAVORITE HOLIDAY DESTINATION:  My homeland Latvia and Goa

FAVOURITE MUSIC: Electronic, Jazz, Russian Pop and rock

YOUR GREATEST FEAR: Losing myself

YOUR PIECE OF ADVICE FOR UPCOMING MODELS:  Be yourself.  Know yourself; know your wishes, your goals. Know where you are going and what you are doing. Be positive and be happy.

The Bengali beauty has ruled the ramp for 21 years now and continues to be the sizzling queen. Originally from Calcutta, brought up in Bombay she is now in Delhi for the past seven years.  Noyonika settled in the capital after her daughter was born, as Delhi is greener and cleaner than Bombay. The 5’11” tall dusky Noyonika has been the mark up for beauty for many Indian women for more than two centuries now. Fashionfad.in gets chatting with her on everything under the sun, tales from on and off the ramp…

Your parent’s reaction to your choice of modeling as career…
I was being offered projects in modeling since I was 13, that time however my parents thought that I was a little young to manage modeling with studying so I turned it down. However when I was in junior college I got a really good offer that time, my parents thought that I was old enough to manage and  so they happily let me join. However I followed modeling as a hobby doing it during vacations and weekends and not all that seriously. My family was really cool about it as my mother had been a model and even my brothers though not serious had done some modeling here and there.

Your first modeling assignment…
I did my first few shows for The Trident, Oberoi Hotels, that time they had launched a new wing so I did some promotional shoots for them. Tarun then called me in. I also was chosen for a show for Pierre Cardin and was invited to go to Paris. It was during that time I got selected for NID, so I left going to Paris coz modeling wasn’t my full time job then. In my initial three months I got a lot of attention and I dint have to go looking for work rather it all came to me.

The transition happened later. After 3 yr in NID I studied for 2 yrs in Pondicherry and then come back to Bombay to settle full time. It was then that I saw that I was getting more and more work and the offers were getting better and slowly it all become too difficult to refuse and I started following modeling as a full time job.

Your greatest achievement till date…
I think spanning my career and still being able to pull it off.

Five essentials for a model to climb the ladder of success…

• Conscious of your physicality and taking care of your body
• Interest in your job
  
• Realistic
  
• Professional
  
• Respect of ours time, money costumes.
  

The most touching moment of your life…
There has been a lot of touching moment in my life. Like when I went back to Bombay after a long time am there was a guy who recognized me and said where had you been for so long , we wanted someone we could talk to, or when my daughter does something cute…things like that are truly touching

Your favorite photographer…
Prabhu, Atul Kasbekar, Ashok.These people have photographed me well.

Having been in one of the most glamorous industry, your insight on fashion from an insider’s point of view…
Well I’ll say that it is not all that glamorous from the inside because I know the kind of hard work and toil that goes into it, the hours of working and practice that models put in, somebody looking at it from the outside usually tends to miss out on that.

Fashion in India has undergone dramatic changes in a very short span of time and has grown manifold. You have been with it from its very nascent phase, you word the changes in the fashion scene…
Over the years the fashion industry has gone from being commercial to professional. Earlier people use to come to look at models, now they come to look more at the clothes and also to buy them. The industry has become more organized. It now involves so many people of different kinds. Earlier it used to be just the choreographer and the designer, now there are people like lighting engineers and sound engineers. Essentially it has grown to involve more people.

In my early days for some shoots model had to carry their own shoes, do their own make-up and hair, even carry some food for themselves. All that has changed now. Makeup and hair are all done, everything from shoes to handbags and clothes are arranged for them. As I said earlier, the industry has organized itself.

Even in terms of general people, they have become more fashion conscious be it branded or non branded. Also the attitude and the perspective towards the fashion industry have changed of the people. There is more respect in people for this profession now.

The story backstage about your interactions with the choreographers, model co-ordinaters who put together such a picture perfect show…
There are times when we have a blast and then there are times when we are completely exhausted. I’ll say that the bitchiness and the drugs and alcohol is more highlighted because that is what a person is interested to see. A big businessman holding a glass does not gain that much attention as does a model holding one. So life is more interesting on this side. There are unfortunate times when a model has committed suicide, so people say that the stress of the business is killing them. However there are hundreds of students doing the same. So this industry is also painted to some extent.

About the modeling industry globally and in India at present …
Well I’ll say that modeling in India is still in its infancy. Abroad the industry is older and experienced and far more organized. There for a show 3000 girls turn up for an audition. Here they choose from 50-60 of them. The working mentality here is different as well as there is less competition. It is a comfortable industry here in India. Also the economy is greatly straight. I’m not a jealous person to look and others and envy. I try and find happiness in the small pleasures of life.

Noyonika Chatterjee as a person, the books you like, the sort of music you enjoy and all that comprises the most essential part of you other than modeling…
She is a simple and straight forward person. Diplomatic but does not ignore what is wrong. I love meeting new people, I’m highly social but I’m also over sensitive.

Books; fiction mixed with philosophy like Richard Bark, Robin Sharma, Gautam Chopra. Some even of Paul Cohelo

Music: old western classics, not rock and jazz. Loves techno, trance. Favourite: Niel Diamond, CCR others.

Your favourite Indian designers…
Abu Sandeep, Shah Perazi, Guddu for his sensibility, Tarun for his drapery, Manish Arora for his spunk and fun clothes, Rajesh for his straight lines..Also Anamika and Sabya.

Your Favourite International Designers?
Harve Leger….and the likes.

The future of fashion in India…
Very bright. We have everything from fabrics to textiles to embroidery and what not. There is just so much to do. We are a little bogged down by the climatic conditions but there is no end to what we can do.

Your opinion on the increasing number of fashion weeks in India…
It is very retarded and disgusting. People should keep their egos in their pockets and forge bout them. Seriously so many fashion shows are insulting. There should be one or may be just two Indian Fashion weeks which include all the designers. I know these fashion shows have created more work for models but it is not good for the industry as a whole.

Your comments on the sudden cancellation of Kolkata Fashion and lifestyle week…
As I said there should never be so many fashion weeks in the first place. It is a ridiculous practice. It is like we are again subjugating ourselves to the divide and rule concept.

Your daughter’s fashion rendezvous…
She tries to be particular about what she wears. I think that if a child sees more then she should in an early age she loses her innocence. So I don’t push her too much and don’t take her to work much. All these Hanna Montana and all are the things she likes to watch.

Your future what next goals have you set for yourself
Well I don’t set goals for myself because when I do I usually break then. Things change when you have a baby around. It is easier to have just short term goals, I don’t make too many future plans.

Any social cause or social issue that has stirred you and you are working for…
Working with all kind of charities for human beings and necessarily animals coz I think that they can take care of themselves it is the humans that need to be taken care of. I have worked with Girl child, have sponsored a child, worked for all things cancer related, special children and the likes. 

Quick snippets  

FAVORITE FOOD: puchka(pani puri)

FAVORITE PERFUME:  in 2 u CK

FAVORITE LINGERIE BRAND: Victoria Secrets, La Senza

FAVORITE HOLIDAY DESTINATION: any beach

YOUR GREATEST FEAR:  old age dependency and blindness.

He would particularly describe himself as an extrovert, guy-next-door with no hang ups in life. Taking life as it comes; he is a guy with a completely carefree attitude. He governs his life with one single rule “live, let live, hope for the best but, be ready for the worst!”
 
He has been on the fashion scene for over six years now and has walked the ramp for almost every Indian designer. He was the official model for the Delhi fashion Week 2004 and then for three consecutive fashion weeks over the next few years. He has been rather busy over the past months shooting for a reality based game show on star network called Godrej Khelo Jeeto Jiyo which he was co hosting with Soha Ali Khan and then shooting a print campaign and a television commercial for Blackberry mobiles.

He is essentially based in Delhi but keeps shuffling between the capital and Mumbai. Meet Nikhil Sabharwal, the happy go lucky guy.

Family and Academics…
Coming from an army background I have always found each place to be my home town since I really never got to stay in a place for more than 3 years at a stretch. I did my schooling from all the cities possible ranging from Hyderabad to Pune to Delhi to Chandigarh. I did finish my graduation in engineering from Amity and then went on to become a pilot in Manila, Philippines.

Parent’s reaction to your choice of modeling as a career…
When elite offered me the contract, my dad was the one who instigated me to join it and mom agreed cent percent, so but obvious they were elated for me and my career.

First modeling assignment…
My first assignment was a fashion show for Sidhartha Tytler in 2003

Greatest achievement till date…
I’m not the one who categories things as big and small. There have been a list of achievements that have happened and each one has held utmost importance in my life.
 
Idea of an ideal date
An ideal date would be a pretty clichéd idea: some wine, moonlight on the beach and a pretty lady. Or maybe something like vodka, a moonlit night, a mountainous setting and another pretty lady.

When not modeling what are you most likely to be found doing…
Usually two of my favorite things I do whilst I’m not modeling are eating and travelling the country and beyond.

Five essentials for a model to climb the ladder of success…

• Confidence
  
• Attitude
  
• Charisma
  
• Personal Style
  
• Networking

Views on Indian vs. Western models…
Western models are the true epitome of being a model right from their physique to their approach towards work. That sure doesn’t mean Indian models aren’t up to the mark but a scope of improvement always exists.

Most touching moment of your life…
There has been more than one occasion in my life which has been highly emotional and has left a deep impact on me.
 
Quick snippets  

FAVORITE FOOD: Chicken Noodles

FAVORITE PERFUME: Aqva by Bvlgari

FAVORITE LINGERIE BRAND: Calvin Klien

FAVORITE DESIGNER:  Varun Bahl

FAVORITE HOLIDAY DESTINATION: Singapore

FAVOURITE MUSIC: Classic Rock

YOUR GREATEST FEAR: the idea of not having what I have right now!

YOUR PIECE OF ADVICE FOR UPCOMING MODELS: Be who you are and never forget where you came from. One should always have his feet stuck to mother earth no matter how big one becomes in life.

A very fresh face in the industry, Batasha Varma had been on the fashion scene for barely six months when she signed up with Elite Model Management as she was thoroughly bored and was doing nothing else!

She doesn’t like to do ramp since it doesn’t interest her much. Some of her works include shoots for FNL including a cover for FNL central, a shoot for cosmopolitan, Tata GSM phones and her favorites, a shoot for the designer store WHITE and the one for Talwar Jewelers.

She is very passionate about everything she does. A lover of books, food, fashion and travelling, she likes to spend a considerable amount of time with her friends. She comes from a very close knit family. She has 5 dogs and keeps adopting more! She loves to cook and can be constantly in the kitchen. In the near future she plans to continue with modeling and also start her very own food retail business.

She believes that there are always exceptions but more often than not, the industry will treat you as you allow yourself to be treated. Meet the very interesting Batasha Varma.

Family and Academics…
My father is a diplomat, an author and an intellectual. So, I had what most people would call an unconventional childhood. I grew up all over the world. I was born in Romania and lived in New York, Moscow, Cyprus and finally in London, where I went to the university and then worked with The Sunday Times as a reporter for a year and a half. Our parents encouraged us to read and speak our minds and since they were always entertaining, from a very young age I learnt to make conversation with just about anyone!!

Parent’s reaction to your choice of modeling as a career…
My parents support me in whatever I decide to do. I depend on their support and they trust me to make my own decisions.

First modeling assignment…
My first modeling assignment with Elite was a print advertisement for the new Tata GSM phone. But my first ever modeling assignment was when I was 17 years old, for a television commercial for the United Colors of Benetton. They approached me to do the ad, but I still had my braces in my mouth. I had them removed for the ad but I’d worn them for so long that they literally had to teach me to smile, showing my teeth, without being self conscious!!

Greatest achievement till date…
There are some things I am proud of – being published by the Hindustan Times group when I was just 17 years old, working for The Sunday Times in London… but as cheesy as it sounds, I think my greatest achievement till date would be the fact that I’ve surrounded myself with so many people who I love and who love me and have a great support system of family and friends.

Idea of an ideal date
My idea of an ideal date is one that is both comfortable and romantic, with lots of chemistry, laughter and a good meal!!

When not modeling what are you most likely to be found doing…
Sitting in bed in my pajamas reading a book, preferably in Bhutan where my father is currently the Indian Ambassador. It’s like a paradise on earth and my constant and favorite retreat. And I get to spend lots of time with my family and 5 dogs.

Five essentials for a model to climb the ladder of success…

• Good looks
  
• A great body
  
• Work ethics
  
• Good networking skills
  
• Being at the right place at the right time.

Views on Indian vs. Western models…
I think western models are hungrier, younger, and fresher, but I think Indian models are prettier, more striking and have a much longer shelf life.

Quick snippets  

FAVORITE FOOD: Sashimi, Dimsums, All soups, Butter chicken, dal makhani and home food.

FAVORITE PERFUME: Keeps changing… for now it’s Bvlgari Rose Essentielle

FAVORITE LINGERIE BRAND: La Senza

FAVORITE DESIGNER:  Chanel, Alexander McQueen, Miu Miu, Prada, Marchesa, YSL, Christian Louboutin, Le Silla, and for Indian – Suneet Varma and my mother… who designs half my Indian clothes.

FAVORITE HOLIDAY DESTINATION: Bhutan, Maldives, London

FAVOURITE MUSIC: Alternative

YOUR GREATEST FEAR: Losing a loved one.

YOUR PIECE OF ADVICE FOR UPCOMING MODELS: Be professional, be confident and stand up for yourself. Nobody else is going to do it for you.