Moms back on ramp

They say that the lure of the arclights is infectious. This holds true for many married models...

They say that the lure of the arclights is infectious. Once you have had a taste of what life could be on the ramp, it is very difficult not to turn to it again after a break.

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Take, for instance, Ujjwala Raut. This hottie is now returning to the ramp after the birth of her baby daughter Ksha. And what a comeback of sorts it has been for the girl. After doing international shows like Gucci, YSL, Ferre and other such prestigious brands, Raut returned to the Indian ramp with the Lakme Fashion Week (LFW) in Mumbai. She is also scheduled to sashay down the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week (WLIFW) ramp in the Capital. At home, once again Ujjwala says she is happy to be back — the ramp is after all a place where she has always belonged. “Things are changing now in the fashion industry very fast,” she points out. “And it is always nice to be among your own people. I guess we are almost at par with the international shows now.” Talking about participating in the fashion weeks, she adds: “This is where everybody who matters will see you.” And Ujjwala does have her hands full. She has done 10 shows at LFW, and has been signed up for another 10 at WLIFW. In the Capital, she will be setting the ramp afire for some of the biggest names: Rohit Bal, Tarun Tahil iani, Ritu Kumar, Rina Dhaka, Rajesh Pratap, Manish Arora, Rohit Gandhi and Rahul Khanna, Kavita Bhartia, among others.

The designers, of course, are happy about her comeback. “She is still as sexy as ever, even after having a baby,” says Rohit Gandhi. “The sense of professionalism that models had in her days is not there anymore. Her generation is more involved in the shows.” Comeback time In fact, Ujjwala’s isn’t the only successful comeback story. Another ramp scorcher who returned with aplomb is Waluscha Robinson. A successful marriage (to model-turned-choreographer Marc Robinson) and motherhood later, Waluscha made a comeback after three and a half years at LFW. “This was the best opportunity to be seen again,” she says. “I quite enjoyed making a comeback and hope to work more now.” Both Ujjwala and Waluscha have stuck to a strict regimen when it comes to working out and dieting. This season, mommies sure are hot on the ramp — even actor Kajol made a guest appearance on the LFW ramp for designer Manish Malhotra.

Who says glam life ends early?