Meet the South Asian models who took over the international runways this fashion month

A few years ago, you could count the South Asian models at fashion week on one hand. But if you were paying attention this season, you’d have spotted a shift. At the spring/summer 2026 runways, brown models were everywhere—walking for brands that once felt out of reach and taking up well-deserved space. Many made their international debuts; others returned to catwalks that once launched them—but all of them left their mark, and together they’re rewriting what fashion’s global lineup looks like.

We caught up with some of them to talk about their pre-show rituals, go-to cheat meals, and the thrill of walking the walk.

Sanjeev Ranwa, 23

Where are you from? Rajasthan

What led you to modelling? Two years ago, I was on a college student budget and didn’t have enough pocket money to buy whey protein. Piyush, one of my friends who was a model, suggested I give it a try to make some extra money.

Three emojis that describe you best: ☺️😘🤗

What shows did you walk this season? H&M spring/summer 2026 (my international debut) and Versace.

Do you have any pre-show rituals? I will either fast until the show or eat a lot of sweets depending on my mood and the vibe of the show.

Do you have a favourite fashion week memory? Walking the Versace show was my best moment. I’ve been manifesting it since I started modelling. I walked as slowly as I could to take it all in.

The ultimate cheat meal is… It has to be dal bati churma.

Dhyani Kandagama, 24

Where are you from? I was born in Sri Lanka and grew up in Germany.

What led you to modelling? My sister and I were scouted on Instagram!

Three emojis that describe you best: That’s a very limiting number, I love emojis! 🌪️🪷🪐

Which show was your Big Four debut? MSGM spring/summer 2023 in Milan. I’m really thankful to the casting director and stylist who trusted the inexperienced me.

What shows did you walk this season? I walked 11 amazing shows: Proenza Schouler, Prabal Gurung, Sandy Liang, Tibi, Zankov, MM6 Maison Margiela, Ermanno Scervino, Blumarine, Uma Wang, Nina Ricci, and Aje.

What’s your pre-show ritual? The backstage adrenaline and tension gets me too excited, so I take a deep breath. It’s almost on autopilot now. I love the moment before you go out on the runway, seeing the seconds pass on the timer, and then it’s “Dhyani, Go!”

The ultimate cheat meal is… Chicken kotthu roti!

Bhoomi Yadav, 19

Bhoomi Yadav at the Chanel spring/summer 2026

Hometown: Raipur, Chhattisgarh

When did you start modelling? I started about four months ago.

Three emojis that describe you best: 🐬🌻🦋

What show(s) did you walk this season? Chanel spring/summer 2026—it was my debut show.

Do you have a pre-show ritual? I like to relax, enjoy the moment, and drink a lot of water.

The ultimate cheat meal is… Cheeseburgers and garlic noodles.

The best career advice you’ve received: Never take yourself seriously, just take your work seriously.

Sushma Choudhary, 25

Hometown: Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan

What led you to modelling? I come from a small town where people have no clue about what modelling is. I walked for a show at my college’s freshers party and realised I didn’t want a nine-to-five job. I’ve been modelling for the past two years alongside my MBBS studies. It’s allowed me to explore a completely different side of myself.

Three emojis that describe you best: 🐆🍯🌟

What shows did you walk this season? Litkovska (my international debut) and HFKG by Fashion Farm Foundation in Paris.

What’s your pre-show ritual? Deep breath, calm mind, Hanuman mantra.

The best career advice you’ve received: “When you shoot for the moon, even if you miss you will be among the stars,” shared by my agent, Gunita.

The ultimate cheat meal is… Rajasthani dal bati churma or a south Indian thali.

Megha Pradeep, 20

Hometown: Pune, Maharashtra

What led you to modelling? I started modelling when I was 18, during my gap year after 12th grade. Some family and friends suggested I try modelling, so I applied to a few agencies.

Three emojis that describe you best: 😵‍💫🤭🤨

What shows did you walk this season? Institution by Galib Gassanoff (my Big Four debut) and Sa Su Phi at Milan Fashion Week.

What’s your pre-show ritual? I wish I had one! I am absolutely not a morning person, so I’m almost always running around trying to make my call time before a show while getting a cup of coffee. So, I guess my ritual is a little bit of chaos.

The best career advice you’ve received: When I was 18 and just starting, I did a shoot for Object magazine. There, I met [editor] Alia Allana, who spoke about modelling as if it was an art to be studied, not just a skill to practice. She told me to read and watch films about the great photographers and models that came before me. I admit I haven’t been reading as much as I should, but that conversation stayed with me and has helped me take myself more seriously as a model.

The ultimate cheat meal is… Anything sweet. I love sugar more than anything.

Rimjhim Pal, 20

Hometown: Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh

What led you to modelling? I never imagined myself becoming a model. I used to play sports, and people would often tell me that I have good height and should give modeling a try. So, I decided to take a chance.

Three emojis that describe you best: 😎🥰💪🏽

What shows did you walk this season? Burc Akyol at Paris Fashion Week, which was also my international debut.

What’s your pre-show ritual? Talking with maa 💗

Do you have a favourite fashion week memory? Stepping out of my comfort zone and making new friends from different countries!

The ultimate cheat meal is… TBH, I’m very diet-conscious but I really like yoghurt bowls. Whenever I feel like having a cheat meal, I have two yoghurt bowls a day instead of one with granola and fruit.

Gauri Sharma, 24

Where are you from? My family is from Almora, Uttarakhand, but I was raised in New Delhi.

What led you to modelling? Growing up, I’d spend hours watching Fashion TV, flipping through magazines and watching iconic fashion week clips on YouTube. One day, unexpectedly, I was scouted at the mall at 19.

Three emojis that describe you best: I think I am the three emojis that I use all the time: 💋🏆🪐

Which show was your Big Four debut? Loewe spring/summer 2023 by Jonathan Anderson in Paris. It was such a surreal moment—all the little doubts I had about whether I fit in this industry disappeared that day.

What shows did you walk this season? Erdem, Ahluwalia, Noon by Noor, and Maximilian Raynor.

What’s your pre-show ritual? On show days, I wake up early and take an “everything shower”. It’s my little reset before the chaos. I follow it with my skincare routine, eat something light, like a fruit salad, and drink lots of water.

The best career advice you’ve received: My parents told me to never be egoistic or entitled about things and to take every job seriously, whether it’s a big brand or small. They like to repeat the Kumaoni saying “Roop ta bhagwan diyo, par naam mehnat banaun chha”, which essentially means “beauty is given by God, but fame is built by hard work”.

The ultimate cheat meal is… Spaghetti aglio e olio with lots of garlic, oregano, and sourdough sides.

Astha Gohil, 24

Hometown: Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh

What led you to modelling? It all started with an Instagram DM. I was in the middle of my MBA when an agent from my former agency spotted me. I guess my side hustle found me first!

Three emojis that describe you best: 😇🦁😎 —kind-hearted, fearless, with a cool, carefree spirit.

What show(s) did you walk this season? Just one—Louis Mayhew at Fashion East in London. I mostly do shoots rather than shows since I’m a bit on the shorter side for runways.

Do you have a favourite fashion week memory? Seeing my photos featured in several fashion publications, like British Vogue, Dazed, and Wonderland. I used to look up to these publications, and now suddenly I’m part of them.

The ultimate cheat meal is… Burger and fries.

Aman Nimish Shah, 22

Hometown: Mumbai, Maharashtra

What led you to modelling? I began my modelling journey three years ago. I was curious about it because from the outside it always seemed like such a glamorous and fascinating world. I decided to take a chance, and it was love at first experience.

Three emojis that describe you best: ⚡️👑🖤

What show(s) did you walk this season? MM6 Maison Margiela spring/summer 2026 in Milan, which was also my international debut.

The best career advice you’ve received: A fellow model told me early on: “Be kind to everyone—people remember energy more than faces.”

The ultimate cheat meal is… Whatever free food we models get before the show. It always just tastes different, lmao.

Arya Shriniwas Bendkhale, 25

Hometown: Pune, Maharashtra

What led you to modelling? I’ve always been very skinny and tall, and everyone around me used to make fun of it. My father used to tell me that I would be a model in the future and make me do ramp walks in our living room. That’s how the idea of modelling snuck into my mind.

Three emojis that describe you best: 😂 because I am always cracking jokes. 🔥 because I really have fire in me and if I want something I get it. And maybe 😴 because I love my sleep and enjoy it so much.

Which show was your Big Four debut? Jil Sander spring/summer 2020 in Milan.

What shows did you walk this season? I opened Dhruv Kapoor at Milan Fashion Week. I also waIked for the Emporio Armani show, and Giorgio Armani’s 50th-anniversary show in Brera. It was the most special and emotional show I’ve ever walked.

What’s your pre-show ritual? I dunk my face in ice water and I keep telling myself that I am the best, I look stunning, my walk is great, and I have so much confidence.

Do you have a favourite fashion week memory? It would be the first time I did a show with Kendall Jenner, Bella and Gigi Hadid—all the models I’ve been admiring—and we shared the same backstage.

The ultimate cheat meal is… French fries and chocolate.

Dhriti Shivlani, 26

Where are you from? I was born on the Dutch side of Sint Maarten and grew up in the Caribbean until I was 15. Then I moved to the US; I’m now based in Florida. My family is from Mumbai, which also feels like another home to me.

What led you to modelling? I’ve always loved fashion, but modelling wasn’t something I had considered until college, when people would constantly approach me to ask if I modelled or tell me I should give it a try. I realised it could be fun to pursue my love for fashion in a different way while seeing the world. In 2022, when I was 23 and felt ready, I finally attended an open call and was offered a contract.

Three emojis that describe you best: 📸💃🏽🗺️ I love capturing moments, exploring the world, dancing, and having fun!

What shows did you walk this season? I walked Dhruv Kapoor spring/summer 2026 (my Big Four debut) and Global Fashion Collective in Milan.

What’s your pre-show ritual? I haven’t really developed a pre-show ritual yet, but during some downtime before my debut show I took a moment to remind myself to enjoy the experience and say some positive affirmations to calm my nerves.

The best piece of career advice you’ve received: My father always gives the best guidance: “You won’t always get the outcome that you want; you’ll get the one that you need.”

The ultimate cheat meal is... Always dessert. I love sweet treats, especially anything with chocolate.

Sanjam Kaur Johar, 18

Hometown: New Delhi

What led you to modelling? I started at 15 and, honestly, my mom saw it before I did. She’s been my biggest hype woman and the one who pushed me to give it a shot. The first time I stepped in front of the camera, something just clicked and it felt like I finally belonged somewhere.

Three emojis that describe you best: 👩🏻‍💻🤟🏻⭐️ —a little chaotic, a little rockstar, always smiling through it.

What show(s) did you walk this season? Kimhekim (my first in Paris)—the vibe was electric.

What’s your pre-show ritual? A quick thank-you prayer to God. It keeps me grounded before the chaos hits.

The ultimate cheat meal is… Chaat papdi. It’s spicy, messy, and impossible not to love.

Ankitha Lakshmipathy, 23

Hometown: Bengaluru, Karnataka

What led you to modelling? I used to look at magazines and watch models walk the runway as a child and wonder when it would be my turn.

Three emojis that describe you best: ⚡️🕊️💎

What shows did you walk this season? Zomer and Paloma Wool at Paris Fashion Week.

What’s your pre-show ritual? I like to take a few deep breaths, listen to calming music, and remind myself to enjoy the moment.

The ultimate cheat meal is… Maggi or French fries and maybe a slice or two of cheesecake.

Ifat Shekh (Naina), 24

Where are you from? Jaipur, Rajasthan. Currently, I’m based in New York.

What led you to modelling? I’ve always been drawn to creative expression, and modelling felt like a natural path. What initially sparked my interest was seeing how much storytelling could be done through a single image. I officially began in 2016 with Elite Model Look India.

Three emojis that describe you best: 😎🐣👸🏻

Which show was your Big Four debut? Bibhu Mohapatra during New York Fashion Week in 2024. It meant a lot to me to walk for an Indian designer as my first big show abroad.

What shows did you walk this season? Henri, Phan Dang Hoang, Keqiao, and Francesca Liberatore in Milan.

What’s your pre-show ritual? I wake up early, pray, and make breakfast. Then, I listen to a religious song and meditate about the show. After that, I get into the zone with my Taylor Swift playlist. It’s a lot, but the routine frees me up to really think about what the choreographer expects and how the designer intended the clothes to be seen.

The ultimate cheat meal is… Cheesecake. Yum! 😋

Ravleen Varghese, 24

Hometown: Kodumon in Pathanamthitta, Kerala

What led you to modelling? Modelling wasn’t a childhood dream; it honestly felt too far-fetched growing up. But I was always fascinated by art and fashion. I was scouted at 18 by Anima Creatives, right after I moved to Delhi for design school.

Three emojis that describe you best: 🌝🧚🏼🦥

Which show was your Big Four debut? Prabal Gurung spring/summer 2025 at New York Fashion Week—a total pinch-me moment.

What shows did you walk this season? Bach Mai spring/summer 2026 in New York.

What’s your pre-show ritual? Sleep. Like, real sleep, seven to eight hours minimum. Then I wake up, blast my favourite Malayalam tracks, and dance through my skincare routine. If call time isn’t brutal, I try to squeeze in a walk. I always show up to work in an outfit that makes me feel bold and confident.

Do you have a favourite fashion week memory? My first Bach Mai show (spring/summer 2025) will always be special. Their incredible team designed a custom red corseted dress that perfectly framed my Indian hips. I genuinely felt like royalty wearing it.

The ultimate cheat meal is… Matcha soft serve from Takahachi, my favourite Japanese cafe in Brooklyn. It’s dangerously good.