Remembering Meher Castelino, iconic fashion journalist and first Miss India

Mumbai: Meher Castelino, the first-ever Miss India and a trailblazing fashion journalist, passed away on Wednesday. She is survived by her son Karl, daughter-in-law Nisha, and daughter Christina. She was 81.

Born in Mumbai, Meher Castelino rose to prominence after winning the Femina Miss India title in 1964, becoming the first Indian woman to represent the country at the Miss Universe and Miss United Nations pageants abroad. Her early triumph in beauty contests laid the foundation for an illustrious career in fashion journalism.

She began her journalism journey in 1973 with her first article in Eve’s Weekly and went on to become a full-time fashion journalist and syndicated columnist. Over her career, her work appeared in nearly 160 national and international publications, making her one of India’s most respected voices in fashion commentary and lifestyle reporting.

A pioneer of fashion journalism in India, Meher Castelino authored several books, including ‘Manstyle’, ‘Fashion Kaleidoscope’, and ‘Fashion Musings’, which explored trends, industry evolution, and style insights. She served as the official fashion writer for major events such as Lakme Fashion Week and other prominent fashion weeks, and frequently appeared as a judge and speaker at fashion institutes and industry award panels.

Her journalism spanned fashion, beauty, lifestyle, travel, and the business of fashion, with a focus on craftsmanship, branding, and consumer trends rather than celebrity-driven glamour. She was among the earliest to treat fashion as a serious industry, helping shape the country’s understanding of style over generations.

Beyond writing, Meher Castelino mentored young designers and journalists, sharing her expertise and archival knowledge, which chronicled India’s transition from boutique fashion to a global runway presence.

Her contributions left an enduring legacy in India’s fashion media, cementing her status as a pioneer who transformed both reporting and the perception of fashion in the country.