Wish we had a men’s fashion week earlier: Muzammil Ibrahim

NEW DELHI - Former supermodel-turned-actor Muzammil Ibrahim says that as a budding model, he had wished that India had a dedicated fashion event for men - and is glad that new male models now have a platform in the Van Heusen India Mens Week (VHIMW) that got underway here Friday.

“This platform will work wonders for male models. When I was just a model I really wanted something like this to come up but at that time, we didn’t have any such chance. So I am sure that now things will be much better for models who are just starting their careers as they will have many more opportunities,” Muzammil told IANS.

Ibrahim, who walked the ramp for Rajasthan-based debutant designer Himmat Singh, looked regal in a brocade blue bandhgala sherwani, pink bandhani saafa, a bejewelled broach and a traditional sword. He charmed the audience with his trademark flamboyance as he air kissed and co-ordinated his steps with three children dressed as young princes.

“I felt great walking the ramp. When Mr. Sunil Sethi (president of event organiser Fashion Design Council of India) called me, he said he would really like me to be here. In fact, he stressed that it wouldn’t be complete without me, I felt great and honoured, so here I am,” he explained.

“I love walking the ramp and today, it was all the more nice because of the response. It was overwhelming. I am so pleased to do a show like this which shows the panache and character of a state like Rajasthan,” added Muzammil, who wan the Gladrags Manhunt Contest in 2003.

Talking about his personal style of dressing, the 25-year-old actor said: “I like mixing both Indians and western since I have been in the core of fashion, I know both styles very well and I feel the best way to use them is by mixing both of them.”

Muzammil made his Bollywood debut in Pooja Bhatt’s “Dhoka”, which turned out to be a commercial failure. Now, he says he is working on an untitled film along with actors Shreyas Talpade and Rajeev Khandelwal.

“I did see a slow period in my film career, but everybody does. I wanted to wait for something that is classy and meaningful rather than just do whatever is offered to me,” he maintained.

In his showbiz career, Muzammil is remembered for music videos like Lucky Ali’s “Labhi Aisa Lagta Hai” and a remix of “Pardesiya ye sach hai piya” with item girl Rakhi Sawant.