Swanky Swagat sizzles in fashion world

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, May 25:

Mumbai is no more a city of dreams and opportunities for this hunk. For 16 months Swagat Hota, religiously kept his sexy nose to the grindstone to carve out  a special niche in the modelling world. Today, this hot Indian Gladrags contestant has numerous offers coming left, right and centre and Mumbai has become his second home.

As a shy, overweight boy weighing 90 kilos, he faced many obstacles while making up his mind to make a career in modeling. At this crucial stage, his mentor and guide Pritam Panda, international fashion designer, supported and encouraged him.

Sexy, suave and sleek, Swagat hails from Banpur, famous for Goddess Bhagabati’s temple, in the Khordha district of Odisha.  A small town boy with a big dream, he had to fight tooth -and -nail to achieve what he wanted. For him modeling was never an option but a constant goal, which he achieved with faith and dedication. His began his career in 2012 by participating in different ramp shows in Odisha, Kolkata and Vizag, but it was a journey without a goal. It jump- started only when Pritam Panda with his international experience, put him on the right track and made him look beyond Odisha.

For a year, his focus was solely on grooming and getting the correct “cuts” to get in shape. Swagat fought his way out of obesity and bulkiness with rigorous work-outs and a disciplined life. High in protein, his staple diet consists of finger millet shake, porridge, chicken sausages, brown rice, brown bread and a lot of fruit salad with extra virgin olive oil. The fitness mantra is an early morning jog, cardio, weight training and spinning.

Walking for Lakhme Fashion Week was a life time experience which turned into a golden opportunity when his talent and good looks were appreciated by the bigwigs of the world of fashion. His participation in the Manhunt competition at Mumbai helped him bag some major brand advertisements. Offers began to pour in from well-known design houses and fashion events from Mumbai and neighboring states. Just like musk spreading its fragrance far and wide, Swagat got his recognition from the top echleon for his killer looks and well-maintained physique.

He does not bother too much if an assignment is big or small .Walking the ramp clad in the best of designer clothes, created by fashion icons gives him the high and elevates his confidence level. Working with ace designers, Arjun Khanna,  Shantanu and Nikhil, Nachiket Bharve etc.  was pivotal in his career. His swooning point in life was when Priya Tanna, editor of Vogue, India complimented him on his looks and asked if he could pose for her magazine. Another classic moment that he cherishes is when he met Maureen Wadia at the Gladrags academy.

Currently his calendar is filled with dates for ramp walks in major fashion weeks, runway appearances, model agencies, look books and more. A busy Swagat has just signed a contract with a modeling agency for FTV and will be going to Paris – the Mecca of fashion, for six months for a few assignments.

He has featured in four calendars for both national and international clients -Saga Couture of Dubai, Aslam Khan for his corporate designer wears, Zahir Sheikh -acclaimed Indian designer and RAAS Odisha.