Models Sheetal Mallar and Subiksha Shivakumar on creativity, craft and modelling

What happens when two powerhouses sit down to challenge each other and their own hardbound ideas? A dialogue that sees tradition squaring off against transformation, shaped by individuality and a collective expression. We asked Sheetal Mallar and Subiksha Shivakumar to trade insights on the path to a successful—and sustainable—modelling career. Let their free-flowing conversations fuel your creative fire.

Making memories

Sheetal Mallar: I had a beautiful career and a great time. I learnt a lot about self-worth, confidence and how to handle fame. If you’re doing this for twenty years, it’s very important to remind yourself who you really are, where you come from and where you want to go.

Subiksha Shivakumar: Modelling takes work. There’s a lot when it comes to understanding emotions and understanding fashion, how a garment should flow and how you can make it look better with your expressions. You may be beautiful, but you still may not do justice to what an image could be.

Navigating a digital landscape

SS: Modelling felt exclusive and prestigious. It was harder to break into the industry back then. Now, with social media, I love how it’s brought in inclusivity and diversity, but it’s also made things feel more transactional. Decisions often seem to revolve around follower counts, which is smart marketing, but it sometimes takes away from the authenticity and artistry of fashion.

SM: I agree. Modelling used to be about the craft—the models, the clothes and the designers. You would have just one photo published in a newspaper the next day and that exclusivity made it special. Today, with instant uploads and live coverage, the magic is a bit diluted.

Handling criticism and preserving self-worth

SM: In the ’90s, the industry embraced different body types but stigmatised darker skin tones. I was dropped from major campaigns for being ‘too dark’. People often felt entitled to comment on everything right in front of you. Navigating and surviving the modelling business requires inner strength to still come out sane. I stayed grounded by separating my public persona from my true self, reminding myself that fame and appearances are fleeting. When faced with mean comments, I learnt to say, “If you don’t like it, don’t work with me.” That clarity helped me preserve my self-worth and stay true to myself.