Exclusive: Supermodel Christy Turlington on coming back to India, working with Kirat Young and closing for Sabyasachi

The energy at Sabyasachi’s 25th-anniversary show is mystical. The star-studded guest list is yet to fill the halls outside, and the piercing gaze of the 50-year-old designer haunts the cosmic set that sits empty at the moment. Backstage, models r around in embellished trenches and fur-lined skirts. Most are comically half-dressed, running around for final touches. Supermodel Christy Turlington, who is to conclude this elephantine affair, is ready. As I meet her, a grin spreads across her face. I am immediately taken by her seemingly ageless skin and glimmering eyes.

Dressed in ivory grey cashmere pants, and an onyx pashmina sweater, Turlington looks quite laid back, except for the plethora of jewels that adorn her. From layered necklaces and crucifix earrings to bangles and bracelets—the bling is endless. “I feel chic and very comfortable,” she tells me. “I am always cold, so I am very happy to have this sweater on.”

This is Turlington’s seventh trip to India, when I ask her what keeps her coming back, pat comes the answer—“I love India, there’s just so much to discover,” she says. “I’ve been here several times and I feel like it would take a lifetime to see all that India has to offer.” When she’s here, there is always a long bucket list of things to do. But there are two things she must get a hold of. “I have to eat dosa. Also, I absolutely love my masala chai and I’ve had several of those since I’ve been here. Those are my must-do’s in a very short amount of time.”

As we talk, newer models pass by. They often glance at Turlington with reverence. After all, the supermodel ruled the runways in the 90s and still brings an irresistible sense of grace to the few shows and fewer interviews she does now. “The 90s were so much fun. And the other models I worked with were all like sisters. We would stay in the same hotels, share a room sometimes, and would go shopping when we wanted to celebrate any long day or moment,” she reminisces when I ask her about the time. One would expect her favourite moments to be related to a show, but the one thing she looks back upon most fondly is the time she spent with the children of her peers. “Yasmin Le Bon for instance, had two little girls when we were working together. It was so much fun to play around with her daughters and bring them along on our adventures in the city,” Turlington remembers.