Avanti Nagrath on living the life of her dreams

What could possibly be common between Avanti Nagrath, the Indian supermodel who has taken the international runway circuit by storm, and me? Well, it starts and ends with our mutual disregard for skinny jeans, for she left me to look ethereal in a black sari paired with an embellished blouse, stacks of fine 
jewellery, and thick glasses as she graced the runway for Sabyasachi’s 25th anniversary show in Mumbai. It’s the first thing I mentioned as I got on a call with Nagrath two days after the show. “I’ve always wanted to wear a sari on the runway. And I used to, back in the day, but this was obviously special being Sabya’s milestone celebration. It draped beautifully and I walked out feeling very confident in that beautiful blouse, jewellery, and accessories. It was a magical experience that I will cherish forever,” she smiles.

Delhi-born Nagrath’s story is nothing short of a fairy-tale. But the 23-year-old has her feet firmly grounded in reality even after becoming a global muse for some of the most coveted international brands including Hermés, Dior, Burberry, Jacquemus, Bottega Veneta, Coperni, among others, ever since her debut walk for Versace in 2022. It all started as a hobby in her teens and later transpired into a serious pursuit of passion 
for Nagrath. As a self-confessed ‘outdoor kid’, she enjoyed playing sports, especially basketball, and loved playing dress-up and posing for the camera. “It was a casual conversation with my mother, when she suggested that I try modelling. She convinced me to give it a shot. I took some photos, posted them on social media, and before I knew it, was signed with an agency.” Nagrath would go for shoots on some days after school and ended up walking for Tarun Tahiliani at Lakme Fashion Week. Soon, she became a breakthrough model to look out for, being lauded at Indian fashion weeks and working with the likes of Manish Malhotra, Rahul Mishra, Lovebirds, among others. “At first, I did it for fun. But later I realised that this is something I want to pursue seriously as a career. Once school got over, I started modelling full time. And ever since then, it’s been a fulfilling journey,” she adds.

Besides her striking features, and ‘all eyes on me’ strut, she breathes life into the clothes she wears, irrespective of the varied styles and aesthetics. Whether it’s the Y2K-inspired bold prints, sharp tailoring, futuristic accessories at Versace, Dior’s pleated, sophisticated chic, elevated normcore at Courrèges, in contrast to Indian silhouettes in intricately crafted details—Nagrath effortlessly adapts to the different worlds of fashion. “It’s like travelling to different cities. Wherever you go, you vibe and adapt to the place without losing your core essence. That’s how I look at modelling as well. I just get with the flow 
and let it take its natural course.” 

Nagrath’s accomplishments are what fashion dreams are made of. But she remains unfazed about the trappings of fame and success. “I don’t ever sit and ponder on these things. For me, it’s about doing what I absolutely love, enjoying the process, and giving my best. When I wear the clothes and model for my designers, I only want to focus and do justice to it,” she dissents. So, what does it take to stay grounded in a fast-paced, appearance-driven industry? I ask. “The key is to create a protective bubble that keeps you focussed at the bigger picture. Being in the spotlight all the time is a part of my job but it doesn’t define me. Back home, you should have your bubble to retract into. For me, it’s my routine that helps me to remain aligned with my goals. Meditation, working out, and making an effort to spend time with loved ones help me to cut the noise out,” she shares with intent. For Nagrath, work-life balance is essential to hold on to your values, be immersed in the whole thing yet not let it affect you.

To hold your own in a room full of icons and trailblazers like Gigi Hadid, Bella Hadid, Naomi Campbell, and Christy Turlington, takes gumption. But Nagrath can’t stress enough about the importance of sisterhood in the industry contrary to the popular notion of power struggles and cut-throat competitions. “If you support one another, you’re actually supporting a bigger cause. When I’m around senior models or models who I’ve recently met, it’s a great thing to have a little bit of communication and support, as it’s a place for everybody. And everybody has their own timings of success and fame. Today, there’s so much support on social media as well as in person,” she explains.

Talking about finding inspiration, Nagrath draws similarities between modelling and sports. She believes that being a model is a lot like being an athlete as both professions need you to be in shape, follow a good routine, and maintain a balanced diet. “I look into women in sports and admire their journey. I’ve watched PV Sindhu and Saina Nehwal’s documentary. They inspire me as much as industry insiders like Naomi 
and Christy.”

When it comes to Nagrath’s off-the-runway look, the model likes to follow trends as much as she loves to experiment with her own looks. Her go-to staples for a quick coffee run is “usually casual and baggy clothes or a hoodie with a cap and sunglasses all the time.” Her personal style has definitely evolved, and she loves high heels or high boots with a nice blazer, tight pants, and a fitted belt. She prefers to stick to her usual routine before a show or shoot, which is waking up, going to the gym, having a healthy breakfast, taking her vitamins, and sometimes getting a face massage. In her time-off, the model likes to read, go for walks, and spend time with friends and family to unwind. “I’m also trying to take up new courses as I want to explore and learn, for instance, photography,” she adds.

For someone who has raised the bar too high, too early, and is an inspiration to millions—Nagrath wants to highlight the essence of hard work in making the cut. “Be patient and don’t give up on your goals. Stay focused and just keep doing what you love. Never give up hope is something that I would like to stress upon because sometimes it just takes longer than you expect but when the time is right, it happens for you anyway.”

So, who is Avanti beyond her supermodel image? I ask. “She is someone who is curious to know what the world has to offer. She’s a girl who’s exploring at the moment, loves a good challenge, and is having fun at the same time. For her, real beauty is skindeep and kindness supersedes appearance,” Nagrath signs off.

Stylist: Fabio Immediato (@mrfabioimmediato)
Photographer: Boo George (@boo_george_studio)
Cover Design: Mandeep Khokar (@mandy_khokhar19)
Editorial Coordinator: Shalini Kanojia (@shalinikanojia)
Make-up Artist: Bari Khalique (@barikhalique), Agency: The Wall Group (@thewallgroup)
Hair Artist: Jesper Hallin, Agency: AMGMT (@a__mgmt)
Production: Tiffany Winteler, Winteler Production (@winteler_production)

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