'Indian Fashion Industry not Easy for Foreign Talent'

New Delhi: Foreign models scorch the ramps during Indian fashion week. But if Serbian model Nevena Pejatovic, the Kingfisher Calendar Girl 2013, is to be believed, it isn't easy to carve a niche in the country's fashion scene.

Is it easier for international models to make it big in India now?

"It is not easy for a foreign talent to make a mark easily in this industry with the growing competition everyday but I do believe that if someone has the right attitude and potential, it will take you places," Pejatovic told IANS in an email interview.

She was named the winner of NDTV Good Times' "Hunt for the Kingfisher Calendar Girl" in December 2012.

From the auditions to gorgeous Goa, running through a boot camp to posing in midair, she saw it all through her journey on the hunt.

Hailing from Belgrade, Serbia, Pejatovic came to know about the hunt through her modelling agency, and she says "it feels great to win such a prestigious title".

"It has been a wonderful experience, learnt a lot and made friends. It is a great platform to be recognised. It was one of the most memorable experience and what better place than to be in Goa," she said.

Is she planning to shift base to India now?

"I am considering my options, (there is a) possibility I would like to explore in near future," said the fit model, who is a fan of designer Roberto Cavalli.

She is yet to work with an Indian designer but says she has a "few favourites ones that I would like to work with".

Several past Kingfisher calendar models including Deepika Padukone, Nargis Fakhri, Esha Gupta and Lisa Haydon made inroads into Bollywood. Will she follow the same path?

"I believe it (the hunt) is a good platform for new talent to be scouted and groomed and eventually enter the film space," said Pejatovic.