Why don't Indian models make it to the Forbes' list

Fashion industry watchers say many odds are stacked against Indian models.

Anjana Sharma, director Fashion, IMG Reliance, blames it on a late start. "Part of the reason is that models in India generally start modelling post-college - when they are 20 years or older, which in the international context means they are already over the hill," Sharma told IANS.

Foreign models generally are discovered in their teens, she said, "and by the time they reach their 20s, they have years of experience under their belt. For example, Brazilian model Gisele Bundchen started modelling at 14, Kate Moss was also discovered at 14 and by 16 she was a known face.

Gisele Bundchen has been topping the Forbes top-earning models list for the past seven years. German model Heidi Klum and English model Kate Moss have been holding on to second and third positions respectively for three years. But not a single Indian model has been featured on the prestigious list so far.