Lakshmi MENON AHEAD OF HER TIME

Lakshmi Menon, India's finest fashion export, and Mahieka Sharma, an up-and-coming homegrown talent strike up a riveting conversation. Ipsita Kaul listens in

- Ipsita Kaul

Enveloped in a foliage of rich coconut trees and admirable AQI, I see supermodel Lakshmi Menon ather relaxed best-the white of her shirt serving as an anchoring feature on a canvas of green and blue. Adjacent to her on the Zoom window is ELLE's current 'Model Of The Season' Mahieka Sharma, who dials in from Delhi, exuding a calming energy of her own. A fun conversation is about to ensue as I press record.

Sharma, evidently inquisitive, kicks off the conversation. "I love that ELLE cover (September, 2013) of yours where you rocked a crew cut," she says. "It's just hair-it grows back. It wasn't a big deal," Menon responds. "Trends are overrated. I only believe in style. I've built my wardrobe with pieces I can wear for decades," she adds, sharing how her Yohji Yamamoto trousers, bought with her first big paycheck, still hold a place in her closet today. "Can't get more f*cking vintage than that."

There's some talk about a '90s Alaïa bodysuit which is Menon's winter favourite and a Narciso Rodriguez gown being one of her treasured splurges. "I also love jewellery. I'm a good Indian woman that way. I love my gold. I love my stones. And I don't apologise for them," she smiles. She also expresses admiration for some independent homegrown brands like 11.11/ eleven eleven clothing.