Miss India-Asia Pacific 1999, Shivangi Parikh, is no overnight sensation. This 19-year old has been a model for the past 18 months and late last year, Shivangi even had her first brush with fame. She was chosen to model Shahab Durazi's fall collection. Nearly every newspaper and magazine carried these pictures, shot by Rafique Sayed. "It was great to work with Shahab, as he and Hemant Trivedi are among my favourite designers."Since she had also taken part in a Miss Mumbai competition and the Look Of The Year contest, last year, Shivangi was not really nervous by the time the Miss India contest took place in Pune, last week. In spite of all this training and experience, Shivangi believes that the one thing that sustained her was simplicity. "It helped me get through the up and downs in the industry." Though she enjoys being part of the glamour world, she realises that fame does not last forever. "I would like to be in the industry for about five years and then perhaps become a writer." But for nowshe is busy thinking about the Miss Asia Pacific competition that takes place in December 1999. Even though it is nearly 11 months away, Shivangi believes that the time to start work is now. "It has been 20 years since anyone from here won and I really want to do well."
