Opening Doorz

By Martin D’Souza | Opening Doorz Editorial | September 27, 2019

Alesia Raut is no ordinary model. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, she is now a name to reckon with and a huge draw. On the ramp, she is grace personified. She walks the talk and talks the walk. One look at her on the ramp and you can easily connect with the various Ramp Walks you have seen of international models like Heidi Klum, Naomi Campbell or Tyra Banks on television.

Alesia is also not someone who you can deal with in a cunning manner. All her work goes through a proper channel with the papers in order. She does not want to get into a problem, neither does she want the one she associates with professionally to have an issue. This she has learnt through her experience in the industry and the confidence she has gained.

No one will ever be able to raise a finger towards her, accusing her of being unprofessional. She is committed to her work and is doubly passionate about it.

Today, along with her sister Anjali, she runs Cocoaberry Talent and Academy, which have girls coming in nervous, some unsure, but leaving confident and knowing they can fly to any heights.

So it comes as no surprise when an institute in Jamshedpur used her images on a poster announcing Faststep Fashion Fiesta with a screaming headline: Grooming by Alesia Raut. Immediately, Alesia alerted everyone with a post on Instagram and a banner over their claim stating: ‘Without any approval or confirmation this organisation has used my name.’

When contacted, Alesia mentioned that they did call her and she informed them that she would think about it. “I never confirmed anything because I like to make everything official on paper,” says Alesia.

It is now known that girls from even small towns are flocking to Cocoaberry, hence it is no surprise that Alesia’s name was used to draw the crowd.

Compliment her on being a huge brand and Alesia is a bit flummoxed. “I’m not that big,” she smiles.

But the girls who pass through Cocoaberry have a different story to tell. Each and every one will tell you how the Raut sisters have changed their confidence levels and their life. Ask Alesia how she feels on giving them wings to fly and she responds: “Every time I do that, I see myself in them. I have also gone through the same issues of not being confident and of being shy. I can connect with them faster because I was there once upon a time. When I see them unsure, alone or low on confidence, I immediately reach out to them. In this field you have to be a 100 per cent ready to perform 50 percent.”

Alesia is a tough task master too. “They call me Commando in the Academy since I also look after their fitness,” she laughs. “I don’t like to waste time. They are with me for just 12 days and I want to make the best of it for them.”

At Cocoaberry, the girls are lining up every month. ‘Caring’ and ‘Understanding’ seems to be the No. 1 priority of all the panelists here.

Is it any wonder then that Alesia’s name is being used on banners without her permission?

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Also Read: I don’t react to situations, I respond, says Alesia Raut

Pic courtesy: @allylovesgym/Instagram