26 year old Ashika Pratt, half Indian and half New Zealander is already well known in the international model circuit. “I started walking on the ramp when I was just 15. Don’t you thining it was amazing. In fact I was so much attracted to fashion and modelling even I could not take schooling seriously,” said Ashika. While on stroll in her native place Auckland, she was spotted by Pageant Company and next day I was walking she was walking on ramp. “But my first break came when I started doing commercial for New Zealand based clothing chain.
Ashika in different mood
Then came Kingfisher Calendar. Her portfolio was selected by Vijay Malaya and she was called for audition in Banglore. “I was thrilled when I got the call and without further thinking I landed in Mumbai and everything changed for me. It was in 2010 and same year I was on the cover on Indian Vogue. That was a landmark in my life,” Ashika said.
Calendar look helped her to grab s some commercial work in India. “People assumed that I could talk Hindi but that was passé. I started travelling and my favourite place was Jaipur and Ladakh. I even participated in Lakme Fashion Week and it was fun loving. Since I have shifted to New York once in a year I come to India because I love Indian culture and food,” she said.
Ashika in different mood
New York based Ashika lives with her model boy friend and both of them are doing well. According to Ashika, New York is the right place for a model to flourish and explore. ‘Lot of girls from my country are staying here and out of them 80 percent are doing modelling. Some may be earning less and some more. There is no shortage of work here,” Ashika informed.
Ashika in different mood
She is now a day’s shuffling between New York and Paris and just finished a shoot in New Zealand. “I always love to visit my native country because my parents still lives there. One thing I hate is cooking though I am a foodie. I love Indian food immensely and whenever I come to India I enjoy visiting popular food corners not necessarily five star hotels,” Ashika candidly said.
