Delhi girls dominate Ford's supermodel final list

New Delhi, June 13 (IANS) The final list of the Ford Supermodel of the World-India contest is out - and Delhi girls dominate, with eight of the 20 from the capital. The grand finale is in Gurgaon on Wednesday.

The winner will get an international modelling contract worth $250,000 and the chance to walk the ramp at the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week in October. The runners-up will receive contracts worth $150,000 and $100,000 respectively.

'The response for Supermodel of the World from India has been overwhelming. India has immense talent and beauty and it was a challenging task for our esteemed jury to shortlist the 20 finalists,' said Agnes Ponarska, head scout of Ford Models.

'Being a supermodel is every girl's dream, but only some can realize it. I feel privileged to be a part of this contest as it is a great platform to learn from the best in the industry and a perfect launch-pad in the world of fashion. The fact that we're in, is yet to sink in. But considering the competition is going to be cut-throat, I will put in my very best,' said Shruti Batra, one of the finalists from Delhi.

The other finalists from the capital are Ankita Sejwal, JyotPriya Sud, Kanika Dev, Ninja Singh, Nitya Duelle, Ruchika Arora and Teesta Rajan.

Six finalists - Anjum Fakih, Krithika Babu, Pallavi Das, Shruti Iyerm, Sudisha Mukherji and Tanya Mehta are from Mumbai, while three - Anubha Ashish, Rhea Subbaiah and Tara Kurian - hail from Bangalore.

Kolkata, Chennai and Pune have only one participant each in Anannya Sarmah, Kavya Shetty and Minora Parashar respectively.

'The next phase of this hunt will witness grooming sessions by experts followed by the grand finale at (Gurgaon's) Leela Kempinski on June 15 that has been supported by renowned personalities from the industry like fashion designer cum choreographer Prasad Bidapa,' said Ponarska.

They will be groomed by hair and make-up artist Ambika Pillai; fashion choreographer Prasad Bidapa will train them to perfect their walk; while Rahul Dev and Milind Soman will take fitness sessions.

'All the top finalists are of superb calibre and are trained in their own way. The confidence and poise they ooze out can give a tough fight to any trained professional. The modelling industry is soon going to see some of the fresh faces who have the potential to be the next supermodels of the world,' said Rahul Dev.

The contest, which in the past discovered models like Vidisha Pavate and actress Bipasha Basu, is conducted in over 50 countries.