Sarah Jane Dias’s recent appearance at the 25th anniversary of Lakmé Fashion Week was a poignant moment of triumph, marking a full circle in her career. The model, actor and host shared an emotional reflection on her journey, from initial rejection to being celebrated as an iconic face of Lakmé this year.
Sarah’s journey started during the early 2000s when she went to audition as a model at Lakmé Fashion Week and got rejected. Her determination and spirit, however, kept her going. In 2015, she was back at the elite event not as a hopeful model but as a member of the jury. This amazing transformation led her to open this year’s grand finale show dressed in a piece designed by famous fashion designer Tarun Tahiliani.
In recent years, Indian fashion shows have increasingly featured Bollywood actors in roles traditionally held by professional models. This shift sparked debate after Janhvi Kapoor’s appearance as a showstopper, receiving both praise and criticism online. The conversation raises a key question: Is this a smart marketing move or a disservice to trained models and the integrity of the runway?
Back in the early 2000s, Sarah walked into Lakme Fashion Week for an audition with dreams in her eyes and heels on her feet. But fate had a different plan then—she was turned away. That moment, though disappointing, became a quiet catalyst. Over a decade later, in 2015, she returned not to audition but to sit on the jury, a place she earned through sheer grit and grace.
