As she gets set to vie for the Miss World crown, Ami Vashi, Sunsilk Femina Miss India-World 2003, tells Primrose Monteiro-D’Souza that the experience will be the prize

Her grandmother’s quiet and soothing Mumbai home was the ideal setting for Ami Vashi, Sunsilk Femina Miss India-World 2003, to make her preparations — like a pupa in a cocoon waiting to unfurl the finery of its butterfly avatar — before she sallied forth to wow the world.

Yet, as she left to showcase the face of Indian beauty at the Miss World 2003 pageant to be held at Sanya, China, on December 6, 2003, her outward serenity was deceptive. Ami was all ‘charged’ (her favourite word) with excitement.

By the time you read this, she will already be in Sanya for the month-long run-up to the contest, energised by the fact that she has met more than a hundred other contestants from all around the world and bolstered by the knowledge that she carries the best of India with her.

Her Indian wear is by Ritu Kumar, her Western formals and swimwear by Satya Paul, her party/evening wear by Ranna Gill, her casuals by Mango, and she can’t wait to stun the world with her piece de resistance — a pink evening gown by Hemant Trevedi for Sheetal Design Studio.

Her shoes are from Finesse, New Delhi; her boots from Skin. She’s learnt her skill with make-up and hair from Bharat and Dorris Godambe and Samantha Kochhar Sapru.

The lithe body is the result of workouts with holistic health guru Mickey Mehta at Bodyone Golden Manor. Other people she’s grateful for the opportunity of working with, include Sabira Merchant for diction and stage presence, Dr Anjali Mukherjee for diet, Dr Sandesh Mayekar for a winning smile, and Dr Jamuna Pai for a skincare routine.

Showcasing India
Positivity is her chosen attitude. “Yes, I want the title, but if you just keep your eye on the crown, you lose out on the experiences along the way,” she explains. And the accent that comes from being brought up in California notwithstanding, Ami is set to bring the Indian experience to the pageant in a big way.

She’s taken ‘choodis’, tattoos and ‘bindis’; for the talent round, she will present a Bharat Natyam performance to the accompaniment of chants. And her talisman, a scarf blessed by virtue of having been draped on the statue of Sai Baba at Shirdi, has travelled with her.

But in the final reckoning, it will be her attitude that will be Ami’s lucky charm. So move out of the way, Ami’s going to charge for the crown!