Janhvi Kapoor ramp walk row: Is celebrity glamour overshadowing professional models? Rahul Dev, Sarah Jane Dias weigh in | – The Times of India

Lately, Indian trend exhibits have more and more featured Bollywood actors in roles historically held by professional fashions. This shift sparked debate after Janhvi Kapoor’s look as a showstopper, receiving each reward and criticism on-line. The dialog raises a key query: Is this a sensible advertising and marketing transfer or a disservice to educated fashions and the integrity of the runway?
The Rise of the Celebrity Showstopper
A Latest Controversy Janhvi Kapoor’s latest trend present look was applauded for its glamour, however some critics questioned her ramp abilities, calling for a return to professional fashions. This incident highlights a rising pattern—celebrities changing fashions for the sake of media buzz, typically on the value of technical finesse.
Bollywood and Vogue
A Longstanding Bond Bollywood’s affect on trend isn’t new. From Madhubala to Ranveer Singh, movie stars have formed traits for many years. Nonetheless, their present runway roles transcend trendsetting—they now usually headline exhibits, shifting the main focus from trend to spectacle.
Why Designers Select Celebrities
Wider Attain and Visibility Bollywood stars carry on the spot media consideration and social media traction. With platforms like Instagram and TikTok, designers can attain broader, youthful audiences. Celebrities like Ananya Panday and Ranveer Kapoor strolling the ramp assure protection throughout media shops.
Mixing Two Influential Industries Bringing movie stars onto the ramp merges leisure with trend, interesting particularly to Gen Z. Designers faucet into an engaged fan base, boosting model recognition and attain.
The Flip Facet: Issues and Criticism
Runway Expertise Matter Critics argue that professional fashions are educated to focus on clothes with precision—one thing celebrities usually lack. Janhvi Kapoor’s “bouncy” walk, for example, was stated to undermine the gathering’s influence.
Former mannequin and actor Rahul Dev informed stated, “The runway includes a fundamental understanding of trend. You hearken to what the choreographer expects of you. The garments develop into the hero, and also you lend your character to draw sufficient eyeballs to what you’re carrying.”
He continued, “Whereas in movies, the character takes priority. As an alternative of the choreographer, you’re listening to the director and their imaginative and prescient. You then lend your creativity to carry that imaginative and prescient—together with the author’s—to life. So, they’re each fully totally different disciplines.”

Rahul additional added, “Modeling, by its nature, requires a sure bodily presence. As an illustration, male fashions are usually six ft tall or extra, with a selected construction. For feminine fashions, it’s typically 5-foot-eight and up, once more with a construction that enables the garments to face out finest on them. That stated, it additionally depends upon the designer’s creativity—what they wish to undertaking.”
“Many designers in the present day consider that as a result of fashions seem nearly excellent, like mannequins, they assist highlight the clothes higher. Because the finish purchaser is often an everyday individual on the road—or relying on the worth level, somebody with important spending energy—these patrons might not essentially resemble the fashions carrying the garments. However the visible nonetheless serves its function,” he shared.
In the meantime Sarah Jane Dias additionally echoed the identical senitiment. She stated, “I’ve achieved each—I began as a mannequin after which grew to become a showstopper. Truthfully, I don’t perceive the continuing debate. It’s not as if celebrities are strolling in each present. Designers select celebrities to signify their trend model or label, primarily so as to add visibility and typically even credibility to what they’re showcasing. That’s actually it.”
She added, “A celebrity walks the ramp as a celebrity, not as a mannequin. Fashions are fashions. There’s no confusion between the 2. I don’t consider anybody is, quote-unquote, stealing limelight. Every has their very own place. In truth, many designers favor to not have celebrities in any respect and as an alternative select their favourite fashions to open or shut their exhibits. So, I actually don’t see the problem. When a celebrity is made the showstopper, it’s often a strategic enterprise transfer to attract consideration to the model.”

Influence on Professional Fashions
The celebrity pattern raises issues about lowered alternatives for educated fashions, particularly in platforms initially designed to focus on modeling expertise.
Sharing his ideas on the identical, Rahul stated, “On the subject of celebrity participation, I don’t suppose they’ll ever substitute fashions. First, as a result of they arrive at a better worth than professional fashions. Second, even when it’s a present pattern, nothing will really substitute the mannequin’s position. It’s like asking whether or not influencers will substitute actors—it’s not potential. For a selected movie, you want a educated actor. Equally, for showcasing garments on the runway, you want a educated mannequin. So, I don’t suppose fashions are going anyplace.”
He added, “Sure, you should utilize one-off celebrity showstoppers for the eyeballs. However even then, the actually large designers often prioritize their creations. Many belong to a college of thought that doesn’t consider in utilizing showstoppers. Others may use them as a result of a specific celebrity evokes them to design a set. To every their very own. There’s no laborious and quick rule. Fashions will proceed to be round, as will celebrities—from sports activities, the humanities, or any area the place somebody has a big public presence.”
Sarah quipped in, “Under no circumstances. Celebrities have been strolling the ramp for a very long time. If something, we have to highlight the superb supermodels we’ve got in India in the present day—those that’ve been round for years and proceed to walk the ramp efficiently.”
She added, “Fashions like Diana, Sanya, Deepthi—they’ve constructed unbelievable, lengthy-standing careers. As an alternative of criticizing celebrities, I believe the main focus ought to shift to celebrating the expertise and longevity of our professional fashions who’re constantly half of trend exhibits and designer campaigns.”
Discovering a Center Floor
Retaining the Craft Alive Some designers now place celebrities throughout the broader lineup moderately than as the primary focus. This preserves the integrity of the gathering whereas nonetheless benefiting from star energy.
Balancing Artwork with Enterprise Whereas celebrity appearances increase visibility, the problem lies in preserving runway requirements. On boards and panels, trend insiders have famous that over-reliance on celebrities can dilute the craft and overshadow educated fashions.
Social Media and Storytelling Manufacturers like Sabyasachi use digital platforms to showcase each celebrities and craftsmanship. Social media allows designers to focus on technical particulars alongside glamour, placing a needed steadiness.
Clear Communication Designers can profit from clarifying the intent behind every present—whether or not it’s to drive publicity or give attention to trend artistry—serving to set expectations for each audiences and members.
Sarah stated, “I consider we’ve already developed. Immediately’s runways characteristic fashions of all shapes, sizes, and sexual orientations—from large cities to small cities. And, to reiterate, roles are clearly outlined: fashions are fashions, celebrities are celebrities, and now we even have influencers on the ramp. That’s half of the evolution—folks like Sakshi and Santoshi Shetty have walked as a result of their on-line personas align with trend. Generally they’re related to trend, and typically they’re not—however that’s the character of the business now.”

She added, “If I needed to predict the long run, I jokingly say we’d even see AI fashions! However honestly, our ramps already mirror variety in each sense. What I’d personally like to see is extra give attention to male fashions. I miss the period of Arjun Rampal and Milind Soman. We nonetheless have nice male fashions in the present day, they usually deserve extra consideration and recognition on the ramp.”
Rahul Dev shared, “This present pattern of mixing fashions and celebrities feels very particular to Mumbai. In different cities the place trend thrives—like Delhi, which is usually thought-about the style mecca of India—it’s not possible to fly in too many individuals and canopy lodging. It turns into costly, even for sponsors. So, in the long term, I consider designers will proceed counting on professional fashions.”
He added, “Let’s be sincere: fashions are educated to showcase garments on the runway, and their presence simplifies issues for designers. When designers put together for a trend present—with about 12 to 14 folks in every sequence and round eight sequences whole—that’s over 100 clothes. It’s simpler to standardize these clothes for professional fashions with particular measurements than to customized-match every little thing for people.”
“Bespoke designs for a lot of people could be difficult and expensive. So, in that sense, fashions are indispensable. Designers will all the time return to them for runway showcases,” he concluded.
Conclusion
The rising presence of Bollywood on the runway displays altering advertising and marketing methods in trend. Whereas star energy helps drive consideration, the core talent of modeling stays essential. A balanced strategy—the place celebrities improve moderately than eclipse professional expertise—may very well be key to honoring each artistry and viewers enchantment. By integrating glamour and talent, the Indian trend business can evolve with out compromising its essence.