"A HUGE win for us small town Tamil girls."
Vogue India closed its 2025 Forces of Fashion edition with a glamorous awards evening at JW Marriott Mumbai Juhu, held in association with Rabanne.
The event unfolded under the theme of Family and Friends, bringing together fashion’s most compelling voices and celebrating the bonds that define the industry.
Shibani Akhtar hosted the evening.
Structured around two rounds of awards, the night also featured a panel led by Vogue India’s Rochelle Pinto, with Mehr Jesia and Ekta Rajani joining her on stage.
The honourees reflected fashion’s diverse voices.
Sushmita Sen highlighted iconic influence, Neena Gupta embodied reinvention, while Sharvari and Ibrahim Ali Khan represented youthful energy stepping confidently into their own spotlight.
Kusha Kapila proved how storytelling can transcend mediums.
Meanwhile, Kartik Research, Bloni, and Rkive City continued conversations around craft, couture, and sustainability, joined by image-makers and innovators, including Nejm and Subiksha Shivkumar.
The Chanakya School of Craft was awarded for impact, showcasing fashion’s deeper role in fostering community and preserving traditions within India’s creative landscape.
Closing the evening, attendees raised a toast with Grey Goose Vive Le Voyage before leaving with a curated selection of Moroccanoil goodies to mark the occasion.
The most celebrated moment came when Nejm was awarded Model of the Year, a recognition that marked a breakthrough for a rising star from Tamil Nadu.
Taking to Instagram, Nejm shared her win with over 600,000 followers, calling it “a HUGE win for us small town Tamil girls who from nothing.”
She wrote passionately that being a model is not just about wearing an outfit but about representing ethnicity, culture and authenticity with pride and confidence.
Nejm revealed how her career began unexpectedly in 2022, after a friend encouraged her to model, despite her doubts about fitting into the industry’s beauty standards in India.
Her first campaign in Mumbai proved transformative.
What began as a weekend trip turned into the beginning of a new career in the city she calls the “City of Dreams.”
Reflecting on her journey, she emphasised that she never changed her appearance but instead owned her individuality, letting her confidence and authenticity shine through her work.
Her Instagram feed, filled with high couture, swimwear looks and bold statements on body positivity, continues to resonate with young women across India and beyond.
Earlier in 2025, Nejm was featured in Vogue India’s March and April trend report with Ajio, photographed by Sahil Behal and styled by Manpreet Kaur.
In her celebratory post, she thanked her supporters and voters, calling the award a personal win for everyone who has followed and believed in her journey.
As Vogue India’s Model of the Year 2025, Nejm represents a new generation redefining beauty, proving that representation, resilience and confidence can reshape the industry’s narrative.
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