A social media post by Shubham Vaidkar has attracted widespread attention after it showcased the contrast between his former career as a civil engineer in India and his current work as a runway model for Giorgio Armani at Milan Fashion Week.
The video, shared online, juxtaposes two distinct phases of his life. In one frame, he appears as a civil engineering professional during the early stage of his career in Mumbai. In the other, he is seen walking the runway for the Italian luxury fashion house at one of the industry’s most prominent global events. The visual comparison underlines the scale of his professional transition.
The post quickly gained traction and drew hundreds of comments. Social media users commended his decision to pursue a different career path and credited him for stepping away from a conventional trajectory.
Background and early life:
Now 24, Vaidkar was born and brought up in Mumbai, where he completed a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. Speaking to HT.com during a telephone interview from Milan, he said he had recently finished an e-commerce shoot for Armani in the Italian city.
“I was born and raised in Mumbai,” he told HT.com. “I completed my bachelor’s degree in civil engineering there. During my second year of engineering, I began modelling purely for fun.”
He explained that his entry into modelling happened unexpectedly. “It was very random. I was browsing Instagram and came across a reel about modelling. That got me curious.”
At the time, he weighed approximately 83–84 kilograms. After researching how to enter the profession, he learned that agency representation was essential. He contacted several agencies by sending photographs and was invited to meet one of them.
“They were very blunt and told me I needed to lose weight. They gave me a month, and I worked hard on it. When we met again, they signed me,” he said.
Weight loss and representation:
Vaidkar began his modelling career with AnonModels and is currently represented by Anima Creatives. Given a month to reduce his weight, he modified his diet by eliminating oily food, sugary items and processed snacks. He described himself as an ectomorph, stating that weight reduction was manageable once he committed to the process.
His first opportunity to travel to Milan came in January 2024, when he participated in an Armani show. Until then, he had worked only within India and had never travelled abroad. That assignment marked his first international trip.
Returning to engineering:
In June 2024, after completing his academic examinations, he travelled again to Milan and Paris, remaining in Europe for two months.
However, modelling assignments are not guaranteed, and after his time abroad, he returned to India. There, he accepted a civil engineering position with a monthly salary of Rs 30,000, equivalent to Rs 3.6 lakh annually.
“I travelled to Milan and Paris for the second time in June 2024,” Shubham told HT.com. “After completing my exams in June, I went to Milan. I was there for two months.”
Earnings in international modelling:
Comparing the two professions, he noted the substantial difference in financial returns.
“Internationally, modelling pays well. For a runway show in Milan, you can earn around €1,500 to €2,000 (Rs 2,15,678 approximately). Campaigns pay much more — around €5,000 to €6,000 for a day, depending on the project. Compared to an entry-level engineering salary, it’s a huge difference,” he said.
A campaign fee of €5,000 to €6,000 translates to more than Rs 5 lakh for a single day’s work. Vaidkar has walked for Giorgio Armani five times and has completed one campaign shoot for the brand, according to the publication.
He clarified that agencies retain a commission from earnings. “The agency takes a 30% cut,” he said, “but we get to keep the other 70%.”
There are additional costs that models must manage independently. While accommodation is arranged through the agency during international assignments, daily living expenses are borne by the model. Furthermore, participation in a show is not always guaranteed, even after attending fittings.
“We go to fittings, but sometimes we get to know only a day before the show whether we will be part of it,” he said.
Uncertainty behind the industry:
Vaidkar emphasised that the industry’s outward image does not reflect the pressures involved.
“It looks glamorous from the outside, but it’s extremely hard work. Reaching the fitting stage itself means you’re already among a small percentage. Even then, shows can cancel you at the last moment. Mentally, that’s very tough to handle,” he said.
He added: “It can get depressing, not getting work.”
Maintaining physical standards requires continued discipline. “I work out regularly,” he said. “I am very conscious about what I eat.”
Despite his work abroad, he remains connected to his friends in Mumbai. “I’m still in touch with my childhood friends from Mumbai. They think modelling is very glamorous, but they don’t know about the uncertainty, the rejections, and the hard work behind it,” he added.
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