Making a school summer time break actually rely takes on a complete new which means for Yug Sanjay Devalia. The 19-year-old mechanical engineering pupil from Borivali, Mumbai, has simply made historical past by making his worldwide runway debut on the Dior Menswear Spring/Summer time 2027 present in Paris. Additionally learn | India to Italy, the desi fashions that took Milan Vogue Week 2026 by storm
From Borivali to the Paris runway
In a June 26 interview with The Nod Magazine, Yug mirrored on his whirlwind transformation from a pupil at Dwarkadas J Sanghvi Faculty of Engineering to a high-fashion mannequin strolling for one of many world’s most prestigious luxurious homes. Alongside fellow mannequin Aryan Prakash, Yug stands out as one of many few male Indian fashions ever chosen to stroll the runway for the French model.
‘I’ve all the time been extra creative than tutorial’
For Yug, the journey into the higher echelons of worldwide style started solely lately. Whereas he’s ready to enter his third 12 months of mechanical engineering upon returning to India, his passions have all the time leaned towards the inventive arts.
He mentioned, “To be one of many first Indian male fashions to stroll for Dior menswear looks like a bit of historical past… I’ve all the time been extra creative than tutorial. Even at school I used to be all the time sketching, drawing I might see photos on my telephone from web sites like Amazon or Flipkart, the catalogues, and assume: what if I wished to be a type of faces?”
Yug’s huge break got here all the way down to excellent timing and a useful cousin, who occurred to be buddies with 28Models founder Showin Bishop. Yug shared that when Showin got here to Mumbai to scout expertise, the cousin handed alongside his portfolio; a mere fortnight later, the younger pupil was on the Dior runway.
However it wasn’t simply luck — Yug had put within the groundwork again residence, spending a month and a half studying the technicalities of modelling and runway strolling from Sahil Singh at Mumbai’s Imaginative and prescient Vogue Academy. Additionally learn | Bhavitha Mandava creates historical past, turns into the primary Indian mannequin to be named Chanel home ambassador
Getting into the highlight
Present day demanded an exceptionally early begin, disrupting Yug’s routine. Unaccustomed to early mornings, he shared that awakened at 3:30 am for a 5:00 am name time and relied on espresso fairly than his customary Gujarati milky tea.
Wearing a checked, cropped jacket, an identical shirt, and tailor-made pants, his preliminary nervousness rapidly gave method to a peaceful focus the second he stepped into the highlight. Although the day handed in a flash, the expertise reshaped his view of the style trade. Behind the scenes, Yug realised that success depends on deep persistence and immense collaboration amongst a big workforce.
Household help and future targets
Again residence in Borivali, Yug’s household — together with his mom, father (an inside designer), sister, and grandmother — watched his speedy ascension with a mixture of awe and immense delight. He mentioned, “They have been very excited, in fact, and it took them some time to course of why I used to be going to Paris for a style present. Initially, after I began exploring modelling, they have been apprehensive; they realize it’s tough to interrupt into the trade. However, in fact, they trusted me and I belief them. Now they’re so proud.”
Whereas he enjoys exploring Paris, hanging out with different Indian fashions, and ‘taking in all of the clear air and peace’ at night time close to the Eiffel Tower, Yug already has his eyes set on what comes after commencement: “Proper now I’m on vacation from school. I’m finding out Mechanical Engineering and I’ll be beginning my third 12 months at Dwarkadas J Sanghvi Faculty of Engineering as soon as I’m going again. As soon as I graduate, I’m going to utterly give attention to modelling.”
As for what’s subsequent on his runway wishlist? Prada is on the high of his checklist. Nonetheless, he’d leap on the probability to stroll for Dior once more, admitting he developed a smooth spot for the trendy purse he bought to hold down the runway.
