Simar Dugal is a model-turned-designer who is known as “India’s first supermodel”. She is an Indian model who broke stereotypes by walking on the catwalk after getting married and having children. After quitting modeling, she started her own brand “Simar Dugal”. She has made a name for herself in the Indian fashion industry with her stunning traditional-style designs. Many celebrities in Bollywood have worn her designs. The Indian fashion industry remembers her timeless beauty and her glamorous ethnic designs.
Wiki/Biography
Seema Dugal was born on Monday, May 20, 1968 (52 years old at the time of her death). She grew up in Amritsar, Punjab, India, with her friend, the famous Indian fashion designer Ritu Kumar. Seema was born into a conservative family that did not support her desire to pursue a modeling career. Eventually, the family moved to New Delhi. Seema attended Jesus and Mary College, Delhi University.
appearance
Height (approximate): 5′ 8″
Hair color: dark brown
Eye color: Black
Family and caste/race
She belongs to a Sikh family from Amritsar.
Parents and siblings
Simar Dugal’s father died when he was very young. Simar Dugal’s mother Rita Sawhney is a landscape photographer. Simar’s brother is named Parmeet Singh Sawhney. Simar’s widowed mother was very strong in raising both children.
Rita Sawhney and her children Simar Dugal and Parmeet Singh Sawhney
Simar Dugal and her mother Rita Sawhney
Simar Dugal and her brother Parmeet Singh Sawhney
Relationships, husbands and children
Simar Dugal was married to Premjit Dugal, CEO of Quest Merchants, when she was 19 or 20. Simar and Premjit have a son, Arjan Singh Dugal, who is a menswear designer. After their divorce, Simar started dating Rajeet Nabha, Managing Director of Arzai Capital.
Premjit Dugal
Simar Dugal and her son Arjan Singh Dugal
Simar Dugal and Rajeet Nabha
Profession
As a model
Simar Dugal started modelling after she got married and had children. Although her first assignment was for a Ritu Kumar showroom shoot, it was the photo shoot by renowned designer Suneet Varma that gave her her first career break. The stunning photoshoot is also featured in the book Suneet Varma, published by Niyogi Publishing House.
Simar Dugal’s first professional photo
Dugal made her fashion debut around 1993-94. She held her first fashion show at the Crafts Museum in Delhi, which was choreographed by Indian supermodel Mehr Jesia. After that, Dugal became one of the most famous names in the Indian fashion industry. Apart from Ritu Kumar, she also worked with Tarun Tahiliani around 1995. She walked the runway as a bride many times. Later, Dugal also modeled for Kumar’s books, Indian Royal Costumes and Textiles and Tree of Life Designs.
As a designer
Later, Dugal quit modeling and started designing and producing clothes for the Indian market and leather garments for export. She started her own brand “Simar Dugal”. Her designs are stunning and traditional yet with a hint of sparkle. Her designs are worn by many Bollywood celebrities like Malaika Arora, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Athiya Shetty, Shilpa Shetty, etc.
die
Seema Dugal died on Wednesday, August 12, 2020, at her mother’s home in Delhi. She had a long battle with cancer, which had spread from her pancreas to her liver. A close friend who had seen her two days before her death said
When I met her, she was in a wheelchair, wearing a gown, thin but beautiful. Her fair skin had no blemishes.”
The last collection she worked on was the Chakori Collection
Facts/Trivia
- Duggar is known for breaking the mold and for going ahead even after getting married and having kids.
Arjan Singh Dugal as a child with his mother Simar Dugal
- Dugal is a keen golfer. When she was a teenager, renowned designer Suneet Varma spotted the stunning model at the Delhi Golf Club and was struck by her beauty. In an interview with Times of India, Suneet said,
“I met Simar at the Delhi Golf Club when she was 17 and I remember being struck by her beauty and her equally beautiful mother.
Simar Dugal at Delhi Golf Club
- Although Simar is tall, slim and has regular features, she does not believe in traditional beauty. When asked, “What makes a woman beautiful?” she replied,
Looks are not enough. Beauty is deep. It’s the whole personality of a person that stands out. Look at Chandralekha (dancer) and Shabana Azmi. They may not fit the traditional idea of beauty, but I think they are stunning.”
- While mourning the death of Simar Dugal, Ritu Kumar said,
To me, her passing seemed to mean that an era of Indian fashion was also gone, perhaps never to return in the same way.
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education