Mannequin

Blending historical analysis with ethnographic detail, the book traces the rise of modelling and beauty work from the 1960s to the present. It situates the industry within a large domestic market—tens of millions of people employed and a substantial contribution to GDP—while asking whether modelling is objectification or a legitimate form of labor and self-definition. The narrative foregrounds voices from small towns and diverse backgrounds, showing how personal ambition meets structural realities on and off the runway.

The reading experience is anchored in rigorous research and human storytelling. Through interviews, archival material, and field observations, readers encounter first-hand accounts from models, makeup artists, stylists, and industry insiders. The prose balances thoughtful analysis with accessible storytelling, encouraging reflection on agency, representation, and social change without sacrificing nuance or empathy.

• Historical and social context of India’s fashion and beauty industry from the 1960s to today
• Voices from diverse models and industry workers, including those from small towns
• Exploration of modelling as work, the tension between objectification and empowerment, and questions of agency
• Economic scope: market size, employment, and contribution to GDP
• Engaging, research-driven storytelling with interviews, case studies, and archival material
• Accessible prose that invites readers to consider gender, representation, and social change

Readers will finish with a nuanced understanding of how fashion can shape identity, opportunity, and meaning. The book builds curiosity about labor histories and gender perspectives, leaving a lasting impression of resilience, agency, and possibility within India’s fashion landscape.