Ramp route to success: Raut on the YSL trail
Asmita Aggarwal
She is India’s only answer to Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford or Christy Turlington. Ujjwala Raut, the only Indian model who’s made a mark on the international ramp, has bagged the lucrative YSL Cosmetic campaign this year.
Winning her first title at the age of 17 in 1996, New York-based Raut stands tall at 5’10’’ and has walked the ramp for Italian master Roberto Cavalli, John Galliano, Emmanuel Ungaro and Victoria’s Secret along with Missoni.
It’s been a long journey – from a lower-middle class family in Mumbai to the Milan, Paris and New York ramps. “It’s not easy to survive there but it isn’t impossible. I miss home and mom’s cooking and I’m still getting used to living out of suitcases,” she says.
On a recent visit to Mumbai, the lissome beauty created a stir when she didn’t stay with her parents in Andheri but opted to check in at the Taj Colaba with Scottish boyfriend Craig Sterry. “I want to do a Bollywood masala film with all those latkas-jhatkas. I love Govinda films – they’re so funny,” she says.
Raut’s had a fruitful 2003. She featured on the cover of the British and French Elle, besides the Spanish and German Vogue. A huge fan of Turlington, Raut feels that the YSL deal will add to her profile. “I’m sad, though, because I won’t be working with Tom Ford this time. He’s one of my favourite designers and is a genius who understands the finer nuances of styling,” says Raut.
Her mantra: “I’m determined to make it big on the international ramp and I’ve reached this far by choosing the right assignments. I won’t give it all up so easily.”