42

| July 2012
The Indian Lass for
Antiquity Whisky
She is dusky, she is angelic, and she is classy. Nina Manuel needs
no Iormal introduction. Over the years, the glamorous damsel
has managed to smite the Indian audience, both on
television and on the ramp. Currently in New York, Nina
opens up to Dipti. P on being appointed as the Brand
Ambassador for Antiquity Whisky, her journey and
much more.
Photos Credit Shaun Pazel
FL: You were on your way to become a
lawyer and then a sudden transition to
modelling. Share your journey with our
readers.
Nina Manuel: My transition from becoming a
lawyer to becoming a model was more gradual
than sudden. I had already started modelling
professionally while I was studying law at GJ
Advani Law College. When I had started
modelling, I actually gave myself 6 months to try
my luck at modelling and I did say, If I dont get
enough of work, I should denitely give up the
idea of modelling. While I nished 6 months of
modelling, I had also nished 6 months into my
rst year at the law college. However, as time
passed by, I ended up getting asked for a number
of fashion shows by known designers. I found it
hard to juggle between the two and so I decided
to pick modelling. I thank God that the choice I
made was a wise one!
FL: How is New York treating you? How has
the journey in New York been so far?
Nina Manuel: New York is a wonderful city,
however, initially when I got here, I must admit
that it was a bit tough for me as there has been
a lot of changes that have taken place all in one
year. I had always travelled extensively and lived in
other countries with my mom and dad. However,
moving to New York after getting married was a
different deal from having always worked and now
guring out if I wanted to pursue modelling and
TV, from leaving all my friends back in Mumbai to
try making new friends. My father had also passed
away in the rst year of me moving to New York.
This called me to spend more time in Mumbai
than in New York in the rst year as I needed to
be there to help my mom as it was difcult for
my sister to travel as often as I could. However,
as time has passed, I have denitely grown to
love New
York (who
doesnt!). I
have found a
few lovely friends
and I do have a lot
of friends from Mumbai
who visit and stay with
me. I am also presently
doing a course in Fashion
Merchandising Management at
FIT. More importantly, over time, I have
dened as to how I would like to live
my life between New York and Mumbai.
This is exactly how I have it because for
me the two most amazing cities in the
world are New York and Mumbai. I am
really lucky to live between them.
FL: How does it feel to be
appointed as the ofcial Brand
Ambassador for Antiquity Whiskey?
How did this collaboration happen?
Nina Manuel: It feels absolutely
amazing to be the US Brand
Ambassador for Antiquity Whisky.
Since young age, I have been surrounded by
whisky drinkers such as my grandfather, my dad
and a few of my uncles who really knew how
to appreciate the ne malt. So it feels all the
Fusion
Expert
43
July 2012 |
Fusion
Expert
Ninas Favourite...
Food: My Mums home cooked food. Prawn
curry, Goa sausages, Sorpotel etc.
Drink: Antiquity Whisky on the rocks.
Destination: Goa
Hobby: Shopping
Book: I do not have a favourite author.
However, the book I am reading right now
is Little Princess by Conor Grennan.
Movie: Tron, Alice in Wonderland and
Chronicles of Narnia Part 1.
Quick
5s
Fusion
Expert
44
| July 2012
more special to represent this premium brand
of Whisky. I met Tony Bedi, President of
the UB Group in the United States at a
private party and we started chatting. Few
days later, he invited me to be his guest at
a food festival where he was one of the
sponsors and that was where he asked
me if I would like to be the Brand
Ambassador for Antiquity Whisky.
FL: It is considered that women
are Wine lovers and Whiskey is
more of a mans drink. What
is your opinion on the
same?
Nina Manuel: Wine
is denitely popular
among women but I do
have a fair amount
of girlfriends
including myself
who like to drink Whisky. This is the 21
st
century,
time has changed. Whisky is no more looked upon
as a mans drink if you ask me.
FL: Give us your top 5 picks of whisky-
based-cocktails for the summer.
Nina Manuel: My top picks for Whisky based
cocktails for the summer are:
Citrus Saveur - Whisky mixed with grapefruit
juice, mint simple syrup and home-made sweet
and sour.
Presbyterian - Whisky mixed with club soda and
spicy sweet gingerale.
Traditional Elder fashion- Whisky mixed with
St-Germainelder ower and Club Soda.
Forbidden Sour- Whisky mixed with pomegranate
liquour, fresh lemon juice and simple syrup.
Mint Julep - Whisky, mint and sugar syrup.
FL: As a supermodel you have donned
cloths (both on and off the ramp) of many
acclaimed designers. Who are your personal
favourites?
Nina Manuel: My personal favourites are
Anamika Khanna, James Ferreira, Shahaab
Durazi, Gaurav Gupta, Rohit and Rahul
from Cue and also Rohit Bal, Gavin Miguel,
Manish Arora, Kallol Datta. There are too
many designers to mention.
As for international designers, I like Lanvin,
Balenciaga, Celine, Yigal Arouzal, Rachel
Roy, Alexander Wang and the list is endless.
FL: A word of advice to aspiring models.
Nina Manuel: Make sure you nish your
education. Explore the business side of fashion
while you are modelling. Never try to do any
kind of shoots knowing that your parents may
not approve of it.
FL: Lastly do you miss India? Any plans to
return?
Nina Manuel: Of course I miss India. However,
as I mentioned earlier, I live between New York
and Mumbai. The moment I start missing Mumbai,
I have to remind myself that I am just a ight
away. Its a 15 hour ight but its well worth it! As
for returning, over the last year I have been doing
a bit of work in Mumbai. I recently hosted Lakme
Fashion Week on TV this year and prior to that I
hosted the Red Carpet for GQ Men of the Year
Awards. So work keeps pulling me back to
Mumbai.

Since young age, I have been surrounded by whisky drinkers such as

my grandfather, my dad and a few of my uncles who really knew how
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