Born to a Russian mother and an Indian father, style and elegance flows in her blood. The transparent façade she carries narrates the story of a bold and beautiful girl carving her way in the alleys of fashion. Here the protagonist is Alesia Raut. In her school days Alesia reminisces herself as a shy girl having a passion for dance and sports. But the destiny frayed the will and weaved the raincoats. She had never ever dreamt of making into modeling but it was her benevolent neighbour who clicked her pictures and sent them to the Look of the year, 1999 organized by Times Group. Since that day it was no looking back and she kept on mounting the rungs of glamour and fashion with panache unparalleled.
Alesia knows how to balance between work and home. She is a loveable daughter and loving mother. She has been conducting aerobic and dance class for her mother ‘Natalie’ for last 15 years. Besides she spends her all leisure time with son ‘Mark’. She says” Mark is everything to me. I just love watching his every move and word. Being a single parent I have to adopt a twin role of a brawny father and a tender mother”
Having been in one of the most glamorous industry how do you see fashion as from an insider’s point of view?
Seeing fashion as an insider I have one advice, every profession is like a coin. It has its bad and goods. Yes in our profession it’s too easy to get carried away but if your values and principles are strong enough you can infact grow a lot more in short span.
What about the modeling industry globally and in India at present and what it has grown from?
I feel that there are a lot of opportunities in this industry but one must keep his eyes and ears open.
What is your opinion on the increasing number of fashion weeks in India?
It’s great. I am happy with increasing number of fashion weeks. This shows how strong our economy is growing and moreover there is work for every model in that way.
How do you see future of fashion in India?
India is still new to fashion but a lot has changed in 10 years of me being around. Changes are for better. The way we are growing economically, we are not far from becoming one of the fashion capitals in the world.
Tell us something about your school and early life?
I have done my schooling from Bombay Cambridge. I had a lot of friends there and I still do miss them very much. I was good at dance so I have represented my school in folk dance in several events. Besides dance I am a big sports fan and done high jumping and long jumping at state level. I have done my graduation from Mithibai College in Juhu.
Why did you pick up modeling as a career?
As a child I wasn’t even aware of any such thing. My parents motivated me and urged to get into the field of modeling.
How do you plan your future and what next goals have you set for yourself?
I try taking each day as it comes. It has been 3 years since my break in 2006-07. So I was only doing much of ramp as I have a baby boy. Now I want to try a reality dance show.
Your greatest achievements?
1999 look of the year, my debut as a model. It changed my world. After that 2004, my first music video. In 2009 I was a ramp walk trainer for Miss India.
What do you do besides modeling?
Besides modeling, I spend my rest of the time with my son Mark. I am a single parent so I prefer balancing my work and motherhood.
Quick Snippets:
Book I gorge on: I am not much into books. My recent read is “Two States” by Chetan Bhagat.
Music I adore: Music is a very mood dependent thing. Mostly I prefer Bollywood music, almost every genre.
Olfactory I admire: Caroline
Food I can’t resist: Chinese
I spend my Holidays in: Singapore and Moscow
My Indian Designer: Manish Malhotra, Aki Narula
