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Glossy spectacles, polished runways, and backstage mania woefully romanticised to the T. Fashion weeks and Page 3 events enjoy grade-A status in high-profile circles, but what do the insiders really feel about them? “You work ten to twelve-hour days, do four to five shows in that span, and walk away with, say, ₹10,000. That’s not sustainable—it’s exploitation,” says Roshni Sharma, whose now-viral reel exposing the reality of model wages has prompted a wave of support from co-collaborators in the industry. It’s not just models—photographers and stylists, particularly those at the bottom of the food chain, face similar challenges despite a demanding trajectory that leaves them with scant time and even scantier pay.
Unpaid labour cloaked in glamour? Sounds like it. When Sharma posted her reel calling out this broken system, it went viral. The backlash was swift. “People said I was throwing tantrums. But after eight years in the business, I’ve seen enough to know when something needs to be said,” she adds, unfazed. She’s built her career from scratch—no family connections, no initial backing, just grit. From playing rugby as a teenager to becoming a pageant finalist and later navigating international waters, Sharma’s story is anything but typical. Her perspective is refreshingly unfiltered and deeply pragmatic—as it should be.
She’s actively refrained from walking the runway, largely because of her concerns with pay, but insists she’s not anti-industry. “The runway is beautiful when it’s fair. But if a job isn’t paying, I’d rather say no. It’s about self-respect.” She also points to the absence of unionisation for models in India. “Abroad, you’re a recognised worker. There are set rates based on experience. In India, even the best models hit a pay ceiling. After a point, the jobs just don’t come, especially if you’re not a celebrity.”
She recalls her disappointment at seeing an internationally celebrated Indian model being sidelined in favour of a celebrity who was brought in to close a recent showcase. I nod helplessly, my mind replaying this done-to-death conversation I’ve had with multiple co-journalists in the front row.
“It looks glamorous on Instagram, but the truth is very different,” she says firmly. “If you don’t come from money or have support, modelling can really break you. Abroad, you’re recognised as a professional. Here, you’re forced to tick ‘other’ on a professional form.” Still, she’s found ways to make it work—modelling for global brands, launching a wellness-driven bikini label, and self-publishing a book on breaking into the industry.
Her bikini brand, Rawwsh, was born with these values at its core. “People often think it’s just about swimwear. But every shoot, every campaign is about healing and authenticity,” she says. She passionately calls for a collective voice—a forum where models can speak up without fear. She also underscores the importance of finding a trustworthy, steadfast mother agent, naming Sangeeta Bhatia (CEO and Co-Founder of TOABH) and Atrayee Dutta Gupta (fashion and celebrity stylist) as her guardian angels when she began her career.
If you really dissect the situation, it’s clear her agenda is far bigger than calling out numbers—she’s simply tired of being undervalued, speaking for countless others rendered voiceless behind the scenes. She closes the interview with: “If you want the labour, pay for it. If you want the beauty, honour the person behind it. That’s all.”
Mic drop
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