'Models are just glorified clothes hangers'

The design-duo Shantanu and Nikhil belonged to a minority on the final day of the Chivas Fashion Show.

As the others from the design entourage spoke at length about clothes being the true heroes, this pair chose to pull a few strings and rope in the former Miss India and struggling actress Neha Dhupia to showcase their collector's piece — a voluminous black ruffled silk gown. In conversation with Dhupia...

Would you normally wear such a gown? Is this your style?

No, this is not the way I normally dress. I am a more torn jeans, white T-shirt and flip-flop kind of girl. In fact, when I was walking in, people looked right through me, because my face was scrubbed clean and had not a hint of make-up and I was wearing my normal casual gear. Although I love this gown, I need to be in the right mood to dress up.

Your climb to stardom started with modelling and runways. How does it feel to be back in familiar territory?

Nervous as ever. It's been more than seven years, yet each time I come on to the ramp I need to swallow for a moment and then mentally gear myself up to face the sea of people.

In Dubai, there were no familiar faces in the crowd and that did not help at all. At the end of the day, models are just glorified clothes hangers and it's not easy to get it right.

Do you think employing a Bollywood celebrity is a quick way to bolster a designer's profile?

I am not too sure. When I was a struggling model, I used to be super excited when established Bollywood actors such as John Abraham and Bipasha Basu would end fashion shows. So, I guess, to an extent celebrities help in bolstering the glam factor. But that's about it.