Fashion model Stephanie during an interview in Dubai.
Dubai-based Stephanie Lohale on becoming 'Miss India Worldwide 2015'.
Published: Fri 13 Nov 2015, 11:00 PM
Last updated: Sun 15 Nov 2015, 5:10 PM
AS SHE WALKED into our office, Stephanie Lohale exuded a confidence and self-assurance that belied her age. Just 19, the Dubai resident and design student at Heriot Watt University, won the Miss India Worldwide 2015 title in Mumbai recently.
She tells City Times the decision to participate in the pageant was a 'spontaneous' one.
"Every girl wants to be a beauty queen at some point in her life," she said, adding that the overall experience was overwhelming.
"I was up against 32 other contestants, and that definitely takes your breath away."
Born in Oman (the country she represented at the pageant), Stephanie moved to Dubai when she was four and has lived in the city ever since.
When asked to comment on Dubai's blossoming fashion and arts scene, she said, "Dubai has given a lot of importance to the arts, fashion as well as other fields and I appreciate how far the city has come in this regard. Artistry can be expressed through so many different mediums. I love the fact that Dubai is giving a chance to so many young people, to prove themselves."
How would you describe your style and who are your favourite designers?
"Something very chic and classy, very Chanel, but old Chanel - black and white, very retro. I love Manish Malhotra - his collec-tions are very simple and very beautiful. And Elie Saab I think he does the perfect combination of chic and shiny!"
Five style tips from Stephanie:
. Keep it real
. Let your inner style shine through what-ever it may be
. Also, be very appro-priate to look at, that plays a very big role considering that we live in Dubai.
. Keep it simple and classy at all times
. Be confident in what-ever you wear
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A LOVE FOR WRITING
Stephanie hopes to get into a fashion publication after she finishes her degree. "However I'm currently in my second year so still a bit unsure," she said.
Her interest in writing dates back to her time at Cambridge High School, Dubai, where she was part of the start-up crew for the school's yearbook and newspaper. "That was my mini-journalism project, and played a very big role in developing my personal love for writing. I just discovered this whole new side to myself. And typically I'm a major reader - and a very big fan of Jane Austen!"
Pageant winners are by default powerful 'voices', and Stephanie wants to use her newly acquired platform to bring attention to issues close to her heart. "I'd like to focus on women's empowerment and would definitely get involved with a lot of organisations. Everyone wants to have a bigger part to play in making the world a better place, and being on a global platform you get more opportunities to do that."
BOLLYWOOD CALLING?
When asked if she would like follow in the footsteps of former beauty queens like Aishwarya Rai and Priyanka Chopra and ultimately head for Bollywood, Stephanie said, "It depends, I mean if it's someone like Karan Johar, no girl is going to say no! (laughs) But right now everything is taking me by surprise. Let's see."
Sonam Kapoor, Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh are her picks for Bollywood's best dressed. "It's lovely how he (Ranveer) just lets himself be who he wants to be. That's really impressive."
And while she is happy with her win, she remains unsure about participating in future pageants.
"This is more of a big platform for me, being 19. I do want to complete my education first - that is one of my first priorities."
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