This 17-Year-Old Model from Nagaland Might be India's Next Supermodel - Meet Andrea Kevichusa

At just 17 years old and standing at 5 feet 9 inches tall, Andrea Kevichusa from Nagaland is already making waves in the modeling industry. Her portfolio is filling up fast with heavyweight assignments, including collaborations with fashion icons like Sabyasachi Mukherjee and Piaf, as well as many international projects. With her confidence and maturity at such a young age, she is definitely on the right path to becoming another supermodel from Northeast India, following in the footsteps of supermodel Leno Kense from Nagaland.

“I started modeling as a hobby when I was 15, and doors started opening up for me. I am still in school, but I also work as a part-time model under an agency in Mumbai,” she says. Andrea’s journey from a small-town girl to a rising star in the big city is a perfect teenage dream, and her story is one that warms and excites our hearts at the same time.

Here’s an exclusive interview with Andrea Kevichusa from Nagaland, as we delve into her modeling career, balancing school and work, her roots, family, and more. Interview by fellow schoolmate Nara from Kohima.

Model Andrea Kevichusa | Photographed by Adhiraj Chakrabarti

R&L: Hey Andrea! It’s great to have the opportunity to interview you. Can you please start by introducing yourself to our readers?

Andrea: I am 17 years old, and a student of class 12. I am also a part-time model under the agency Anima Creatives in Mumbai.

R&L: We’d love to know more about how you got started in the modeling industry. Can you tell us a little bit about your journey and how it all began for you?

Andrea: Modeling started as a hobby for me when I was 15, but as opportunities came my way, I began taking it more seriously. Although I am still in school, I am working with an agency in Mumbai and juggling both my studies and modeling career simultaneously.

Andrea Kevichusa photographed at the NAJ Cosfest 2016, in Kohima – during her early days of modeling.

RootsandLeisure_Cosfest_Andrea kevichusa

Andrea Kevichusa photographed at NAJ Annual Cosfest, Kohima in July 2016

R&L: That sounds like a busy schedule – and exciting too! How do you manage to balance your school work and your modeling assignments?

Andrea: Dividing my time between studies and modeling is an uphill task. However, I only travel during school breaks or only when I can take a leave from school.

R&L: How have your Naga roots influenced your career as a model?

Andrea: To take ‘roots’ to the context of looking different from your fellow models from other parts of India, my North Eastern looks have definitely given me an edge in bagging editorial and commercial assignments.

“With Fashion being a big global playground – always on the lookout for something fresh, there is novelty in being blessed with unique features and styles. I speak for myself, but my North Eastern roots and features have been beneficial for me as a model.”

Photo: Andrea Kevischusa | Makeup by Riviera Lynn (@animacreatives) and photographed by Shahid Datawala

R&L: Any exciting new projects you’re working on?

Andrea: The latest project I had done was a campaign shoot for Sabyasachi Mukherjee’s latest collection consisting of Ritz evening wear, Piaf, International Wedding Line, White Wedding, the Bold and Beautiful, and Cerise Nuit evening wear. This collection was introduced in Hong Kong.

Andrea Kevischusa for Sabyasachi Mukherjee’s latest collection of Ritz evening wear.

Andrea Kevischusa for @sabyasachiofficial [Lensed by @thebadlydrawnboy
Hair and Makeup by @sandhyashekar]

R&L: Do you have any words of advice for aspiring models?

Andrea: I’m still a novice and learning each day, but from my limited experience, I would say that work will take you places and connect you with many types of people – each with its own quirks, styles, and opinions. So it is important to accept and to learn from both praise and criticism and yet not to take both personally; to enjoy the experience but to stay grounded and not get carried away. These contribute to molding you into the person/professional you would become in the future.

“Be open to new experiences and learnings but at the same time, be careful of what you take in. After all, a well rounded, mature personality is an asset not only in this industry but will help you throughout your life.”