From season to season, being conferred upon the privilege to sit front row at fashion weeks as a journalist has made me somewhat privy to the inner workings of the modelling industry. Well, to some degree at least. You have the OGs, pulling their personal el clásicos like it’s nobody’s business and then you have the relatively newer ones, bustling with energy, determined to make it come rain or shine. Spotlight on model Mahieka Sharma, a clear frontrunner this season, brimming with what it takes to make it. You can see how much she loves her job, the energy is palpable.
I was fascinated to see her strut the runway for almost every single show with effortless ease, draped in the finest couture offerings of India’s design talent. Having followed her on socials for a long time was one thing, seeing her in her element on the runway was a whole different story altogether. There were plenty hurdles this season, from an eye infection (and the judgement that accompanied it), to her heel breaking in the midst of the Gaurav Gupta show – she powered through and cut to now, we’re anointing her ELLE’s Model Of The Season.
This is Mahieka Sharma’s time, and she’s just getting started. Here’s our conversation with the optimist yoga enthusiast and upcoming supermodel.
ELLE: Take us through your experience of walking for this edition of the Hyundai India Couture Week in partnership with FDCI.
Mahieka Sharma: Obviously, like all fashion weeks, I had a lovely time. I love shows. I love the thrill. I love the anticipation of knowing that you’re going to be wearing a stunning outfit. And there’s going to be so many people watching. And you get to don one of the newer collection pieces and sort of present the designer’s vision on the ramp and walk it and have this persona and pick up a new character. FDCI and Taj took such good care of us. I made so many friends there among the staff and felt very much at home. I truly believe I have the best luck and the most supportive audience, choreographers, design teams, backstage managers, absolutely everybody that assisted me through the season.
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ELLE: What are the most challenging facets of living the ‘model life?’
Mahieka Sharma: Well, one of the most challenging facets of living the model life would be the crazy schedules. I was shooting back to back before Couture Week. I moved into a hotel. I had to get my workouts in early morning, then rush to get ready, head to fittings, head to rehearsals, get my hair and makeup done, and also watch my diet. And as soon as Couture Week’s over, I’m now on the way to my next campaign shoot. So I think managing your time is definitely a hurdle when it comes to being a model. And touch wood, I’m blessed to be booked and busy. And that just provides an opportunity to be more efficient with my energy and my time.
I love to prioritise my well-being, my looks, my lifestyle. I’m also independent so it’s an added job – I am the talent and the manager. As much as I enjoy it, that is definitely something that takes effort. The rest is a breeze, honestly, because I’m lucky enough to work with the best teams and the most professional individuals that do their jobs extremely well – making mine easy.
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ELLE: Tell us about the unfortunate incident you encountered in the early phase of this fashion week and how you powered through it.
Mahieka Sharma: On the second day of India Couture Week, right before my show, I had an unfortunate accident where a makeup brush with makeup and possibly some germs or some infective material on it got into my eye. I did an online consultation with a doctor but when it didn’t get better in a few days I went to an eye specialist in between shows. The ophthalmologists said that it was potentially an allergic reaction to the makeup that had gone into my eye, along with the injury. Then I was faced with two issues.
One was that this might end up hindering my ability to best portray a particular piece. I did not want to sabotage the images and the entire visual of the designer’s piece, as I’m a part of that visual. And second, I realised that I was under scrutiny for having potential conjunctivitis or a communicable disease because, fair enough, everybody’s very concerned and nobody wants to catch an infection. People wrongly assumed that I was also suffering from conjunctivitis, whereas I unfortunately had an injury that, I would say, in my opinion, far worse than just a pink eye.
I remember during the Gaurav Gupta show rehearsals – my eye was hurting so much, it was red and bloody and insane. The ramp was new to us – it had wide long stairs and as you know, my heel snapped right on the second stair during my walk. That show and walk were crucial for me this season. When the insane amount of love for that walk started pouring in, I felt rejuvenated, seen and appreciated. I am so grateful. I didn’t see it coming. I was just proud of myself for giving it my all, despite the heel snapping and fearing my red eye. I’m so grateful everyone continued to put their faith in me, and that I was able to deliver.
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ELLE: Tell us about your modelling journey from the start.
Mahieka Sharma: I had just scored a 10 CGPA on my 10th board exams. I was sitting down with my parents and was at the top of my batch, so their expectations with me were around the science stream and becoming an engineer or a doctor, or maybe a management consultant. I told my parents that I wanted to be in front of the camera and that I wanted to model and act. While I did study economics and finance in university, I started modelling in local pageants or picking up jobs in Gujarat and Delhi and slowly my social media presence grew.
I did a music video and a couple of short roles in movies, and I auditioned a lot. I got scouted by multiple agencies in Mumbai and worked with them but then I graduated college. Although I had three job offers in hand, I was doing sufficiently well enough to convince my parents that I could model full-time. Now, I’ve also completed my yoga teacher training right after graduating college and it’s been a beautiful ride and it only gets better. I feel young and energetic, what more do you need?
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ELLE: What’s your advice for up-and-coming models?
Mahieka Sharma: Have a very rich inner life. You know – your passions, your hobbies, your lifestyle. Maintain strong bonds with your family and have real friends. I think it’s very easy to get lost in the world of glamour, in the lifestyles of the people around you. It’s easy to become a part of the mob. It’s extremely important to maintain your individuality.
Do your best by yourself. Do your best by the people that trust you, by your colleagues, and you will be fine. The rest is out of your control. I practice my learnings from Yoga of doing my Karma, and then leaving the rest to god or the universe – whatever you believe in. It’s called Ishwarpranidhan. I live by it. It’s the mentality and the same family and friends and their faith in me that helped me get through this season without losing hope, without giving up, without falling.
ELLE: Lastly, what was your favourite show this season?
Mahieka Sharma: I am extremely biased towards my lovely Tarun Tahiliani family. I think that TT Sir is a legend. I’ve had the fortunate honour of starring in his campaigns, walking for him multiple times and now also knowing him and having the access to him his entire team. But also I think the most rewarding show for me was Gaurav Gupta and I truly enjoyed walking for JJ Valaya as well. GG obviously, because my heel broke, I had a bloody eye but it felt so magical. These three were in their own ways extremely special.
Also Read: ELLE Presents The Great Indian Recast: The Devil Wears Prada Edition
