By Tirusha Dave

Priyanka Gianchandani, born August 23, 1990, is an American-born, Sindhi model whose biggest aspiration is to become a Bollywood actress. Currently she is a student at Rutgers University, one of the most Desi-populated colleges on the East Coast and is a Biochemistry/Pre-Med major with a minor in Theatre Arts.

Gianchandani was born to Deepak and Sunita Gianchandani. Her father, Deepak, works in Computer Sales, while her mother, Sunita, is a well-respected immigration lawyer. Gianchandani also has a younger sister, Madhuri, who’s an aspiring model as well.

Gianchandani graduated South Brunswick High School in June of 2008 and it was during her time in high school that Gianchandani realized that the fashion industry was something she wanted to become part of and that modeling was her way of attaining this success. She signed to the Barbizon Modeling School, which was founded on 5^th Avenue, the home of Fashion, in New York City. Over the years, they helped Gianchandani to mature as a runway model; she has attained training of the highest quality in the areas of modeling and personal development, which set her apart from other Indian models in America.

However, the most amazing fact about Gianchandani’s career as a model is that throughout the entire process she’s able to embrace both her American, as well as, Indian culture – never forgetting her roots and where she’s come from. In between preparing for a runway show for New York & Company, I had the opportunity to sit down and chat with Priyanka about balancing college and a modeling career, her Bollywood dreams, and much more!

Tirusha: For those unfamiliar with whom you are and what you do, give us a quick one-liner?

Priyanka: I am a petite runway model, and I’ve done shows for New York & Company, Gap, Cashè, Banana Republic, and others.

How long have you been modeling?

I started my freshman year of high school (2004), so it has been 4 years.

How supportive has your family been throughout your modeling career?

My family has been highly supportive. If they felt there were other opportunities I was able to get, they would be the first to take me there and to encourage me to do it. Four years ago, I was only 14 years old and to be in a magazine or to do a photo shoot, I needed parental consent. However, because I was young, my parents felt that they did not want me to do print shoots just yet and I understood that. Only they would know what is best for me. Now that I am 18, they are considering that I could do print work. I understand their perspective, and they know how passionate I am towards modeling; we make sure we come to an agreeable conclusion.

When you first started modeling, were you excited to go and tell everyone you knew?

No. I did not want to tell a lot of people about my modeling career when I first started, because I am a strong believer in the “evil-eye” casting. I wanted to have a successful start with more opportunities, and then be able to say, “I am a model.” I felt I could tell people once I knew it would be successful for me, and that this was what I truly wanted to do.

When did you get your first “break”?

I will always remember this date: It was in October of 2004. It was my first show and I walked for Banana Republic.

Wow! That’s amazing! How did you link up with Banana Republic? Were you nervous about the show?

I work with Barbizon Modeling Agency, and they told me about this event. My first show was so amazing, and it was then that I knew I belonged in the industry. I was pretty confident that I would be able to go on stage and show off the outfit. I feel very strong that as a model, since it is more about the clothes than me physically. I knew I would do fine, because I have been dancing for five years and am quite used to being on stage. I mean, of course I was nervous in general (since it was my first time walking the runway), but I was truly excited, because I wanted to show off the outfit I was wearing in front of the audience.

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