“Simar Dugal was the first supermodel that India had, and after her came many,” says designer Rina Dhaka as she talks about her dear friend Simar Dugal, who passed away on Wednesday morning. The fashion designer and former model had cancer, says Rina, and her family and friends prayed for her recovery day and night for years. “I last met her in February at a dinner with close friends and though she was in pain, she was smiling, like always. We all used to pray for her and I just wish I could have spent more time with her,” says Rina.
Rina says that she met Simar when she was 20 and after knowing her for just a few days, Rina had told her that she should be a model. “At that time I didn't know that eventually, she would be a fabulous supermodel and also a wonderful designer. She was very intelligent and loved Indian textiles, something that drew her towards designing. We were of the same age and were introduced to each other through a common friend. Back then, Delhi’s social circle was such that everyone knew each other somehow, so we would meet each other at parties and became very good friends. It was so easy for her to connect with people, she was always so loving,” the designer tells us.
Simar Dugal and Rina Dhaka
Simar Dugal and Rina Dhaka
Rina reminisces about the time when they travelled across the world doing fashion shows together. “We travelled to Bhutan, Europe and all across the globe doing shows together and she was the perfect travel companion. We also shared rooms on many occasions and I would always look forward to that. I am going to miss all those trips so much. Now when I think of the many parties, events and places that we've been to together, I am only thinking about why I didn't take photos then. I wish I had captured those moments better, only if I would have known that one of my dear friends would leave me so soon,” says Rina.
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