7/31/2019 The Indian Lass for Antiquity Whisky' - Nina Manuel

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The Indian Lass for

Antiquity Whisky Nina Manuel needs

has managed to smite the Indian audience, both on

opens up to Dipti. P on being appointed as the BrandAmbassador forAntiquity Whisky, her journey and

Photos Credit Shaun Pazel

FL: You were on your way to become a

lawyer and then a sudden transition tomodelling. Share your journey with ourreaders.Nina Manuel: My transition from becoming alawyer to becoming a model was more gradualthan sudden. I had already started modellingprofessionally while I was studying law at GJAdvani Law College. When I had startedmodelling, I actually gave myself 6 months to trymy luck at modelling and I did say, If I dont getenough of work, I should definitely give up theidea of modelling. While I finished 6 months ofmodelling, I had also finished 6 months into my

first year at the law college. However, as timepassed by, I ended up getting asked for a numberof fashion shows by known designers. I found ithard to juggle between the two and so I decidedto pick modelling. I thank God that the choice Imade was a wise one!

FL: How is New York treating you? How hasthe journey in New York been so far?Nina Manuel: New York is a wonderful city,however, initially when I got here, I must admitthat it was a bit tough for me as there has beena lot of changes that have taken place all in one

year. I had always travelled extensively and lived inother countries with my mom and dad. However,moving to New York after getting married was adifferent deal from having always worked and nowfiguring out if I wanted to pursue modelling andTV, from leaving all my friends back in Mumbai totry making new friends. My father had also passedaway in the first year of me moving to New York.This called me to spend more time in Mumbaithan in New York in the first year as I needed tobe there to help my mom as it was difficult formy sister to travel as often as I could. However,as time has passed, I have definitely grown to

love NewYork (whodoesnt!). Ihave found afew lovely friends

and I do have a lotof friends from Mumbaiwho visit and stay withme. I am also presentlydoing a course in FashionMerchandising Management atFIT. More importantly, over time, I havedefined as to how I would like to livemy life between New York and Mumbai.This is exactly how I have it because forme the two most amazing cities in theworld are New York and Mumbai. I amreally lucky to live between them.

FL: How does it feel to beappointed as the official BrandAmbassador for Antiquity Whiskey?How did this collaboration happen?Nina Manuel: It feels absolutelyamazing to be the US BrandAmbassador for Antiquity Whisky.Since young age, I have been surrounded bywhisky drinkers such as my grandfather, my dadand a few of my uncles who really knew howto appreciate the fine malt. So it feels all the

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7/31/2019 The Indian Lass for Antiquity Whisky' - Nina Manuel

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Ninas Favourite...

Food: My Mums home cooked food. Prawn

curry, Goa sausages, Sorpotel etc.

Drink: Antiquity Whisky on the rocks.

Destination: Goa

Hobby: Shopping

Book: I do not have a favourite author.However, the book I am reading right nowis Little Princess by Conor Grennan.

Movie: Tron, Alice in Wonderland andChronicles of Narnia Part 1.

Quick5s

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more special to represent this premium brandof Whisky. I met Tony Bedi, President of

the UB Group in the United States at aprivate party and we started chatting. Fewdays later, he invited me to be his guest ata food festival where he was one of thesponsors and that was where he askedme if I would like to be the Brand

Ambassador for Antiquity Whisky.

FL: It is considered that womenare Wine lovers and Whiskey is

more of a mans drink. Whatis your opinion on the

same?Nina Manuel: Wineis definitely popular

among women but I dohave a fair amountof girlfriendsincluding myself

who like to drink Whisky. This is the 21 st century,time has changed. Whisky is no more looked uponas a mans drink if you ask me.

FL: Give us your top 5 picks of whisky-based-cocktails for the summer.Nina Manuel: My top picks for Whisky basedcocktails for the summer are:Citrus Saveur - Whisky mixed with grapefruitjuice, mint simple syrup and home-made sweetand sour.Presbyterian - Whisky mixed with club soda andspicy sweet gingerale.Traditional Elder fashion- Whisky mixed withSt-Germainelder flower and Club Soda.

Forbidden Sour-Whisky mixed with pomegranateliquour, fresh lemon juice and simple syrup.Mint Julep - Whisky, mint and sugar syrup.

FL: As a supermodel you have donnedcloths (both on and off the ramp) of manyacclaimed designers. Who are your personalfavourites?Nina Manuel: My personal favourites areAnamika Khanna, James Ferreira, ShahaabDurazi, Gaurav Gupta, Rohit and Rahulfrom Cue and also Rohit Bal, Gavin Miguel,

Manish Arora, Kallol Datta. There are toomany designers to mention.As for international designers, I like Lanvin,Balenciaga, Celine, Yigal Arouzal, RachelRoy, Alexander Wang and the list is endless.

FL: A word of advice to aspiring models.Nina Manuel: Make sure you finish youreducation. Explore the business side of fashionwhile you are modelling. Never try to do anykind of shoots knowing that your parents maynot approve of it.

FL: Lastly do you miss India? Any plans toreturn?Nina Manuel: Of course I miss India. However,as I mentioned earlier, I live between New Yorkand Mumbai. The moment I start missing Mumbai,I have to remind myself that I am just a flightaway. Its a 15 hour flight but its well worth it! Asfor returning, over the last year I have been doinga bit of work in Mumbai. I recently hosted LakmeFashion Week on TV this year and prior to that Ihosted the Red Carpet for GQ Men of the YearAwards. So work keeps pulling me back toMumbai.

Since young age, I have been surrounded by whisky drinkers such asmy grandfather, my dad and a few of my uncles who really knew how