Get to know Lakshmi Menon backstage
Lakshmi Menon is one of the "it" models of the moment. Born in Bangalore, India, Lakshmi started modeling in 2001 and even earned a college degree. According to supermodel Tinu Verghis, Lakshmi is, "an absolute goddess, because she has the most beautiful smile". Ms. Menon is the sole face of Hermès, replacing Daria Werbowy. She’s also the face of Givenchy. Lakshmi walked Badgley Mischka Derek Lam, Tibi, Carolina Herrera and Diane von Furstenberg and many others this season. We caught up with her backstage at Ports 1961. I brought my friend, Conrad from Asian Models Blog, who knows everything about Asian models. We both interviewed Lakshmi backstage.
Asiance: How does it feel to be the muse for Givenchy?
Lakshmi: I don’t feel like I’m his muse.
Asiance: Well you’ve been on the campaign twice.
Lakshmi: Riccardo, if he likes a girl, he’ll use her for his campaign like Lara Stone and Mariacarla Boscono.
Asiance: And he also wanted more mature, smart and brilliant models because you are not 16. You have a college degree. How does that make you stand out?
Lakshmi: I guess it does give me a sense of maturity. For me, I guess for me, in this business, I find it easier to deal with rejection than most other girls. Rejection is the toughest part of this business, as far as I can tell. For me, I know this is not going to be the rest of my life, it’s just a small part of my life
Asiance: What else do you want to do besides modeling?
Lakshmi: I’m opened to everything right now because I’m having fun. I’m travelling, I’m doing shows. I’m opened to the future, I don’t want to just do modeling for the rest of my life. I want to do a lot of other stuff.
Asiance: A lot of people in India are so excited to see a model with an Indian face because we haven’t seen a lot. The last one was Ujjwala Raut. And we haven’t. That has been really really great representing different types of Asians. How does that make you feel? Being the face of India?
Lakshmi: I don’t think I’m the face of India. (Laughs)
Asiance: Oh yeah you are. Well it’s great timing. Look at Slumdog Millionaire.
Lakshmi: I think they are going to win.