Internet sensation Raunaq Chodankar, aka Ronnie C, wears many hats. From footballer to entrepreneur, he’s done it all–but his heart has always stayed in fashion. No wonder his innings as an international model are taking him places.
Going back in time, he attributes his success to how his parents raised him. “In my early years, I lived with my folks in Mumbai, who always supported my dreams. I have always been a creative person–in fact, I would enjoy drawing and painting. I was drawn to anything that would bring out my spirited personality,” he tells ELLE India.
Interestingly, even as a child, his demeanour was distinct from others. Chodankar recalls, “I was too young, probably six when my parents would dress me in shirts or dungarees. Even then, several people told them I had the charisma to be a model or a star.”
A few years later, Chodankar added another feather to his cap. While on a trip to London, he was invited for trials at a pro club for football. “Initially, I was told I had the spark but needed to work hard on my strength. I never gave up. In my teens, I got signed by a pro football club in the UK, making me one of the rare Indian footballers to have received this opportunity,” he adds.
However, he admits to having his share of struggles while juggling academics with football. At the time, he was a student at Brunel University in West London and the youngest in his class. “I was focused on doing well in football but didn’t want to compromise my academic performance. It was very challenging because I had to wake up at 5 am every morning and head to my football club, which was 120 kms from where I stayed. I had two training sessions during the day, after which I would attend university and finish classes at 10 pm.”
Little did he know that his modelling career would also take off around the same time. Abercrombie and Fitch and Hollister were popular brands in the UK back then, and everyone shopped there.
Chodankar was spotted and asked to model for these big names during one of his shopping trips. It was by sheer accident, but it paved the way for much more!
In February 2024, Chodankar walked at the London Fashion Week as a showstopper. His outfit was a custom black suit with a pink floral design that was on for half the walk.
“I had to unwrap the big pink accessory and drag it along for the remainder of the walk. It stole the show! What made it special was that I was the only Indian male model.”
After this appearance, several brands approached him to walk for them in the upcoming September Paris and Milan fashion weeks. But Chodankar has big dreams.
“I admire Dior and Louis Vuitton for the high level of innovation they bring to the table. I would love to model for them,” he shares.
But what’s his personal style like? Chodankar says that it has evolved over the years and is somewhere between loud and subtle.
“I have always worn sporty clothes due to my association with football. So I like that high-end brands have become less formal,” he highlights.
As someone who has made a mark in the fashion world, what’s his advice to those who want to follow in his footsteps? “I would ask people to figure out their strengths and never give up. This is the only way to succeed,” he signs off.
