However, I really enjoy my own country. Being from the Armed Forces, I have travelled extensively within my own country to places that nobody has heard of. So, travelling has much to do with experiences and what I do there rather than the place itself.
– LAKSHMI RANA
Lakshmi Rana, revered as the Queen of Ramp, stands as an icon in the Indian fashion fraternity. She commenced her successful journey with Femina Miss India 2000 and has graced international runways for renowned designers like Roberto Cavalli and Christian Dior. In a friendly chat with First Look, the supermodel and entrepreneur talks about her life beyond the dazzling world of glitz and glamour.
Jumpsuit – Rohit Gandhi & Rahul Khanna
FL: Outside of the fashion world, what hobbies or activities do you enjoy in your free time?
LR: Outside the fashion world, I cherish my private personal life. I like to spend time with my 10-year-old daughter. For people who don’t know me, I can be very happy just about reading by myself, enjoying my company. I also like to take time out for any kind of adventure sports – a typical Sagittarian trait. I’ve done everything from skydiving to deep sea diving to trekking to biking and I’m also a biker. So, all in all, I enjoy spending time with my family, giving them some quality time and just perhaps getting some time to myself to rejuvenate and recoup from the hectic pace of my lifestyle.
FL: As a model with a busy schedule, how do you unwind and relax when you’re not working on fashion projects?
LR: As I mentioned earlier, for me, the only way to unwind and relax is to spend quality time with my family and myself.
FL: Are there any specific books, movies, or artists that inspire you and influence your personal style or creative expression?
LR: I tailor my book choices to match my mood and immediate goals. I have always enjoyed reading books by Sadhguru, Murakami and Stephen Hawking. These days, I’m reading ‘The Goal’ by Eliyahu M. Goldratt and Jeff Cox. So, it reflects, what I am willing to learn in the near future, to achieve a particular vision I may have. When it comes to movies, I’m a little old school and I enjoy really fun, happy movies. Because I feel there’s enough pain in the world. So for me, interesting, happy, humorous movies work brilliantly. ‘Life is Beautiful’ holds a special place as my all-time favourite. I also enjoy romantic classics like ‘Pride & Prejudice’.
My personal style is something that reflects my personality. Somebody who inspires me is Anamika Khanna. Her style is very chic and that’s how I dress up normally. That’s how I would like to reflect on myself too. So, I’m inspired by people like her. And then she’s quite a beautiful human being as well!
FL: Given your experiences in different parts of the world, do you have a favourite travel destination, and what makes it special to you?
LR: For me, travelling is more about the experiences than the place. So, I could have a great time at a small, tranquil hill station or even in a metropolitan city like Milan or New York. Italy and South Africa have been two of the most exotic places I have visited. However, I really enjoy my own country. Being from the Armed Forces, I have travelled extensively within my own country to places that nobody has heard of. So, travelling has much to do with experiences and what I do there rather than the place itself.