She's 19. And, at 6 feet and 1 inch tall, currently the tallest model on the Indian fashion plateau.
Sania Shaikh is comfortable with it though. "The height runs in the family," she says. "My dad is 6 feet 3 inches and my mom, 5 feet 8 inches tall." It explains why the highest pair of heels she’s ever worn were six inches high -- with a gown by Valentino at a recent fashion show by the designer.
The path to modelling for this bubbly woman began in 2004 with Channel V’s show Get Gorgeous. No, she didn’t win. In fact, she didn’t even make it to the finals. What helped was the fact that she was ‘spotted’.
She has been modelling for the past six months and has walked the ramp for international designers and labels that include Valentino, Trussardi, Gianfranco Ferre and Guess.
Originally from Mumbai, Sania grew up in Saudi Arabia and Dubai. She moved back to the city three years ago for further studies. Apart from modelling, she is also doing a course in food and nutrition, and has just finished her exams. Luckily for her, apart from being tall, she is also genetically lean –- a killer combination in the world of international fashion.
"I can get away with eating anything, even cheese, chips and mayonnaise," she says. "And, being in college, junk food is unavoidable." Nonetheless, she heads to the gym three times a week and "takes care of herself." This involves weight training, as part of a weight-gain programme.
Want to look as tall as Sania does? She has a few tips:
~ Vertical stripes not only make you look taller, but slimmer.
~ Go for trousers/pants with an A-line shape (a straight cut).
~ Avoid wearing high-waist pants.
~ Wear solid colours. Don’t go for prints.
~ Mix and match your clothes.
~ Hot accessories include a simple pair of ‘big’ sunshades, and broad belts.
Text: Merril Diniz
Photograph: Jewella C Miranda