Diandra Soares

Diandra Soares
Diandra Soares at Torchaar Gelato Icecream launch, in June 2011
Born	13 Aug 1979 India
Occupation	Model fashion designer, television host
Years active	1995–present

Diandra Soares is an Indian model, fashion designer and television host. She is most noted for her bald looks on the ramp. She was also a participant on the Colors TV reality show Bigg Boss 8.

Modelling career

At the age of 20, Soares made up her mind about being a model. She has been active in the field of modelling since the age of 16. Her first assignment was for Tips and Toes and her first show was for McDowell's. In 1995, she was crowned as Miss Bombay, and that helped her to get contracts from various leading brands like Dinesh Suitings, VIP Lingeries, Tillsbury whiskey and also paved her way to the most prestigious ramp shows in town. She has walked for many international fashion shows in her career which were conducted by Gucci, Leonard Paris, Emanuel Ungaro, Sonia Rykiel, and Miami Fashion Show. She is currently one of the leading models of the nation.

Recognition as a bald model

Soares is most noted in her career for her bald looks on the ramp. In an industry where hair is considered one of the prime parameters of beauty and femininity, Soares tried to revolutionize many times. Her first as a bald model happened in 1999 at Goa in between a fashion show. Though it initially grabbed some media attention, she was totally panned by customary audience and the fashion world. As a result, she was forced to leave the ramps and to give up her bald look.^[1] Her second attempt to be a bald model that happened a decade later in 2010, was met with positive responses. Designers found her shining black bald mane interesting and decided to open the close the shows with Soares in the Lakme Fashion Week. Her career reached to the peak during this time and received wide media attention as never before which even includes a special story done by Huffington Post on her.^[2][3] On September 7, 2013 she shaved her head again and sporting the bald look for the third time in her career. Soares commented that it was done for religious reasons and by going bald she felt spiritually empowered.^[4] Soares confirmed many times that her decision to be bald is related with spirituality issues. She also added that by going bald, she even left her career on stake as the bald head might prevent her entry to many fashion weeks.^[5] However, there are many who consider attempts to be a bald model as a means for publicity stunt and to grab quick media attention since the audience's approach towards bald models have changed drastically over the years especially when models like Flaviana Matata gained popularity in the west with their tonsured head. Recently she once again shaved her head during her session in Big Boss 8 making it for the fourth time going bald.^[6]

Personal life

Soares was born to a middle-class family in Bandra, Maharashtra. Her family never had any relation with the modelling world. After having schooling at Bombay, she pursued her education from St. Xaviers. Madhu Sapre was the former Indian model who inspired Soares in modelling.^[7] Diandra was in a relationship with Gautam Gulati during her stay inside the Bigg Boss house. In 2016, Diandra is making a web series called 'Do It Like Diandra'.

Filmography

References

External links

• Diandra Soares at the Internet Movie Database
• Diandra Soares on Twitter