HIMANSHU GURU, OP
Young and ambitious model Annie Sarkar aspires to have a fashion house of her own someday
“I used to drape my mom’s dupatta and saree to pose for pictures in my childhood.You could say these were my first steps in modelling,” says Annie Sarkar, a young model from Bhubaneswar. Recently, she bagged the title ‘Miss Photogenic’ in a beauty pageant. Besides, she has received a few otherawards and has participated in many fashion shows. In a conversation with Orissa POST, Annie, who is learning fashion design, described her experiences in modelling.
“Although I did not have a clear idea about the fashion world, since childhood I wanted to venture into this glamorous world someday,” says Annie Sarkar.
“I got many awards for dance in my school days. Besides, at home, I used to dress up and drape my mom’s dupatta, dress or saree and pose for the camera wearing a pair of sunglasses. I was always happy to pose for the camera,” she reminisces.
Daughter of Chandra and AK Sarkar of Bhubaneswar, Annie passed the HSC exam from Kendriya Vidyalaya 3 in Mancheswar and later completed her Plus two education from Maharishi College. Her mother is a homemaker and father is an employee in the Railways. She has a school-going brother Shreyash. Annie is now in the second year of the degree course in fashion designing at the National Institute of Fashion Designing (NIFD) in Bhubaneswar.
Annie’s journey in professional modelling began last year. “I attended a beauty pageant last year that was organized by ‘Support’. I was chosen runner-up in this show. That was the beginning. Theme of this pageant was ethnic wear of different states. I represented Maharashtra. Though I did not win the show, this success inspired me a lot. This year I joined another beauty contest, the Trends Style Icon beauty pageant and was among the top ten models there,” she says.
More recently, Annie bagged the title ‘Miss Photogenic’ at a glittering show organised by Odisha Fashion Villa in Bhubaneswar. Recounting her experience at the event, she says, “The first day’s theme was retro, where the models were required to walk the ramp in black and white attire. On the second day, we were asked to come in bridal wear. And on the third day, we had to choose between western and Indian wear, and I chose western wear. I won the ‘Miss Photogenic’ title after facing tough competition from nine other finalists.”
At the NIFD, Annie is specialising in garments. “The faculty guides us on fashion and wearing combinations. I am interested in Indo-western attire. I am good at designing asymmetrical party wear, off shoulder tops and gowns, cold shoulder tops and gowns, and gowns for high end parties and red carpet events.”
Model-cum-actor Milind Soman is Annie’s favourite actor. She says, “I like his fashion sense and attitude and regard him as my inspiration. Besides, I am also a big fan of Deepika Padukone.” Looking to the future with hope, the young model says, “My aim is to open a fashion house which will deal with all the fashion needs of a girl. I would like to create a brand of my own.”
