Filmworld
Was out of work due to my complexion: India born French model
By
NiveditaNew Delhi, Sep 1
He was adopted by a French
couple during their visit to Pondicherry and was discovered by designer
Jean Paul Gaultier that made his mark on the international fashion
scene. But Satya Oblette, who has fronted campaigns for luxury fashion
houses like Kenzo, Gio Ferrari and Dolce & Gabbana, says he had
trouble getting work initially because of his "long black hair and
complexion".
"Modelling was not at all my thing... It actually
started as a challenge between my friend and me... The start was very
difficult for me as I had long black hair and people commented about my
complexion and after a while I stopped getting work.
"Later, when
I was in India in Pondicherry, I saw this dark Indian man with grey
hair and a grey beard and that is where I got the idea from. I went to
my hairstylist and showed him a picture I had taken of the man and told
him to do the same thing with my hair and beard.
"When I entered
Jean Paul Gaultier's office after that they were all shocked at first
but then he said 'let's work together' and that is how it all started,"
Oblette told IANS during his visit to India last week.
In the
late 1970s, he was adopted by a couple of French teachers who were
overcoming the trauma of the death of their second son. Despite the
painful start, the young Indian was blessed with destiny that opened
doors of modelling and haute couture shows.
With over two decades
of experience in the field, the 39-year-old, who has emerged as one of
the most famous male faces of fashion internationally, is recognised as a
dark, brooding man with spiky white hair.
He feels that "it is
important that you don't forget where you come from even if you are
famous in a particular field" and added that today he is "ready to find
my real mother and look for answers to the questions I have in my mind".
"I
would love to give myself to India because for the French I am the most
Indian guy and, similarly for Indians, I am the most French Indian. I
would like to be the bridge between the two cultures and try and bring
the cultures together," he said.
His last visit to India was in
2012 when he started writing his autobiography titled "My Life in
Pieces" that was published in March. But he would love to gain more
business opportunities in India as he feels that "the Indian economy is
rising really well and a huge part of my heart is here".
"I would
love to work for Indian brands or designers. I would love for this to
act as my bridge between Switzerland and India and it will also compel
me to travel to India more than I currently do," said Oblette by adding
that he "would love to work in Bollywood movies and I am looking out for
options".
It's not just fashion that is keeping him busy. The model is associated with many social causes too.
In 2012, Oblette joined the association A Child by the Hand, which helps children born into poor families.
Currently,
he is the global ambassador for Heart for India Foundation, founded by
Princess Francoise Sturdza, a businesswoman from Geneva. Internationally
acclaimed Indian designer Pria Kataaria Puri is the Indian promoter and
ambassador of the foundation.
"I met Princess Francoise Sturdza
last year through a common friend and that is when they introduced the
Heart for India Foundation (HFI) to me and showed me what they work for
and how they contribute towards the Indian society.
"When I met
Princess, she told me that the HFI is completing 10 years and now has a
success rate of almost 95 percent. It is not something wherein the kids
will gain education for a few years and then they will be left alone.
It's more like following the kids and making sure they are able to
finish their studies and then work on their own," said Oblette.
(Nivedita can be contacted at [email protected])