Trisected: Bikramjit Bose Chronicles A Day In The Life Of 3 Indian Fashion Models

Models are constantly running up against limitations of the fashion industry’s own construction. They learn to lead with the superficial, usually in the hopes that all adoring eyes might channel some version of x-ray vision and bore through the glossy paper routine. Perhaps even see the strong emotional undercurrents that humanise them. So when Homegrown decided to put four veritable forces of nature in Indian fashion together, to construct a photo narrative in in collaboration with Nike Sportswear, featuring the #NikeDunkSkyHi, we decided to challenge a few of the stereotypes that surrounded them too. Photographer, Bikramjit Bose, focussed his lens on models Nidhi Sunil, Sanea Sheikh and Paloma Monnappa as part of the same, and the narrative is indicative of the fact that these women have succeeded on slightly different terms of their own design.
“The best part about the shoot was the fact that it was, for the most part, completely spontaneous and off-the-hip, with the occasional shoe thrown in for good measure,” said Bose, when probed about the overall collaboration.
We caught up with all three models too, to take a metaphorical look into their closets, allowing for both skeletons and pearls to tumble out in equal measure. Expect rare candidacy, and expect to love it.

A. Sanea Sheikh 

I. Do you think modelling has made you more thick-skinned or more sensitive as far as superficial criticism of your looks are concerned?
In my nine years of modelling what I have learnt is that you should be ok with your own flaws . Let it define you and not limit you . At first, I used to take everything literally to my heart, which made me upset but over time I started believing in myself and started loving my flaws. It’s a process but if you stay true to yourself you can become thick-skinned. Everyone has an opinion and at the end of the day it’s just words which hold no importance till you give it some .
II. 3 words that describe you best.  
Foodie . Sincere. Focussed .
III. One of your sisters (Safa Sheikh) is featured in the shoot with you and there are still two others. What has having 4 sisters taught you? 
That sharing is not always caring! And lots and lots of tolerance.

IV. Something personal that separates you from other models in the industry? 
I guess my offbeat lifestyle choices. I prefer to refrain from alcohol and cigarettes, which I feel is easily available in my line of profession.
V. One question you wish journalists would ask you? 
It would be nothing to do with fashion and more to do with current issues. It’s very sad to be stereotyped as someone who only knows fashion . It’s very important to be aware of ones surrounding and I feel the journalists fail to understand that.
VI. How does the Nike Dunk Sky Hi fit into your personal style?
It fits perfectly into my style as it’s understated yet a statement piece that can be casually clubbed with your daily wardrobe essentials; it’s comfortable and stylish, which is my personal style. Not seeking attention and yet a statement.

B. Nidhi Sunil

I. 3 things you love about modelling. 
- The free time it affords me to do other things.
- The travel.
- The people I get to meet.
II. The one point in your career you realised you could start playing ‘hard to get?’ 
Actually, I don’t believe in being inaccessible in an increasingly small world. ‘Hard to get’ can’t be in two places at once so it feels nice to have choices!
III. What’s the most dangerous thing that appeals to you? 
If you mean it literally— then I’d have to say war journalism and photography. The other day I was looking at the work of Alexandra Avakian and to be honest, her life just made mine look superfluous. I try not to compare, all things being relative but i’m not even really sure if I’d be able to cope living a life like that. It’s definitely something that fascinates me.

IV. What’s your take on the hyper-sexualization of models in the industry? 
Honestly, I think this question should be phrased as how do you feel about the dehumanisation (therefore desexualization) of models. Frankly, I don’t see models as sexual beings at all. We’re all just visual food for whatever is fuelling the consumer’s appetite at the moment. As far as sexualization of anything goes - there is so much sex out there to sell literally everything from wall paint to bathroom tiles that I’m just numb now and therefore, have no opinion to offer. It is what it is.
V. One question you wish journalists would ask you. 
The one question I wish journalists would ask me! So many! Some of which you’ve asked, none of which include what my ‘beauty secrets’ are. Honestly though, I think folks in my industry are just starved for honest, candid interviews conducted by someone who has taken the time to get to know his subject; as opposed to a journo who just wants to write fluff. But for the sake of brevity let’s just say, I’d like a journalist to ask me if it’s all ultimately just genes and all this money spent on a gazillion products is total rubbish?
VI. Answer it.
Yes. 
VII. How does the Nike Dunk Sky Hi fit into your personal style?
I love Nikes! To me style is nonchalant. I don’t think too much about what I put on and I wouldn’t put on anything that looks like it’s trying too hard. And the Nike Dunk Sky Hi fits snugly in the middle.

C. Paloma Monnappa 

I. You’re a part-time DJ as well. Name 3 songs you feel bring out your true personality. 
Four.
Morcheeba - The Sea
Easy - The Commodores
Aretha Franklin - Respect
Moby - Porcelain
II. If you were a man for a day, what’s the first thing you would do? 
That’s an interesting thought! I’d stand in front of the mirror butt naked and finally know what it feels like to have something hanging down there! I’d also like to experience what it feels to have sex with another woman, knowing that she would be satisfied with me of course! Is this too explicit?

III. One moment in your life you wouldn’t mind reliving over and over again. 
I think the people who were with me in that moment know exactly what it is and probably feel the same way I do. It’s a little personal but I can say that it involves beautiful souls, Gokarna, gummy bears, double rainbows and a lot of love. I could never forget it.
IV. Something you feel people assume wrong about you? 
That I don’t eat because i’m thin. It’s the most frustrating thing! My friends know how important food is to me.
Also, it gets really tiring and frustrating to deal with people who stereotype & judge people based on what they do. People can be very limited in their thinking, just because i do what i do doesn’t make me a shallow/pompous glam queen who starves herself.
V. One question you wish journalists would ask you. 
Anything apart from all the superficial bullshit I do get asked.
VII. How does the Nike Dunk Sky Hi fit into your personal style?
Comfort is always key for me and I love the fact that the Nike Dunk Sky His can be worn during the day as well as at night. They are stylish, sporty and the fit is great. I like that they come in a variety of colours and the green being favorite.

Image Credit: Bikramjit Bose

[On graduating from The Srishti School of Art, Design and Technology in Bangalore in 2007, Bikramjit moved to Mumbai in 2008 to pursue photography. After a brief apprenticeship, he started doing commissioned projects – shooting portrait stories, photo essays and fashion editorials – contributing to magazines like Elle, Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Marie Claire, Grazia, Rolling Stone and GQ India.
With a particular love for black and white imagery and a narrative perspective to a lot of his work, his approach to photography is essentially that of a portrait photographer. Whether they are stark, minimal studio portraits or narrative-driven fashion editorials, it is always the human element that is the focal point of his work. While, his pared-down aesthetic sensibilities are reflected in his portraits, he also draws a lot of inspiration from cinema and the works of cinematographers, which in turn, he seeks to reflect in his fashion stories. 

In 2011, he was awarded the Silver in the ‘PX3 PRIX DE LA PHOTOGRAPHIE PARIS’ Awards for his portrait series ‘And they all sat down’, which is an ongoing project.]

Words: Mandovi Menon