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Fashion Journalism Pioneer Meher Castelino Passes Away at 81

The fashion and media world mourns the loss of Meher Castelino. She made history as the first winner of the Femina Miss India pageant. Castelino then built an incredible career as a respected fashion journalist and author. Her work helped shape how India understands and reports on the fashion industry.

Key Points: First Miss India Meher Castelino Dies at 81 in Mumbai

  • Won the first Femina Miss India title in 1964, representing India internationally
  • Built a legacy as a syndicated fashion columnist for 130+ publications
  • Authored influential books like 'Fashion Kaleidoscope' and 'Manstyle'
  • Served as the official writer for major events like Lakme Fashion Week
2 min read

First Miss India, Meher Castelino passes away at 81

Meher Castelino, the first Femina Miss India winner in 1964 and a pioneering fashion journalist, has passed away in Mumbai at the age of 81.

"She was a true pioneer of fashion journalism in India... shaping the country’s understanding of fashion over generations. – Article"

Mumbai, Dec 17

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

Meher Castelino was born in Mumbai, and first caught the public eye by winning the Femina Miss India title in 1964, becoming the first woman to hold this crown and represent India at Miss Universe and Miss United Nations contests abroad. She went on to build an extraordinary legacy in fashion journalism.

She began her journalism career in 1973 with her first article in Eve’s Weekly and went on to become a full-time fashion journalist and syndicated columnist. Her work appeared in nearly 130 national and international newspapers and magazines, making her a prominent voice in fashion commentary and lifestyle reporting.

She was a true pioneer of fashion journalism in India, with her work appearing in nearly 160 national and international publications, shaping the country’s understanding of fashion over generations.

She authored several books on fashion, including ‘Manstyle’, ‘Fashion Kaleidoscope’, and ‘Fashion Musings’, exploring trends, industry evolution, and style insights.

She served as the official fashion writer for major Indian fashion events such as Lakme Fashion Week and other prominent fashion weeks, and her expertise led to roles as judge and speaker at fashion institutes and industry awards.

Her journalism spanned fashion, beauty, lifestyle, travel and the business of fashion, marking her as a respected figure in fashion media in India.

She was among the earliest journalists to treat fashion as an industry rather than celebrity-driven glamour, often writing analytical pieces on craftsmanship, branding, and consumer trends. She also mentored young designers and writers, regularly interacting with fashion institutes and jury panels. Her columns were known for archival depth, historical references, and industry memory, making her work a valuable chronicle of India’s fashion transition from boutique culture to global runway recognition.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
My mother used to cut out her columns from the newspaper and save them! She made fashion feel accessible and intelligent, not just about rich people. A real pioneer. Rest in peace.
A
Arjun K
She represented India on the global stage as Miss India and then spent decades building up our own fashion identity from within. That's a legacy of both pride and substance. Salute to her contributions.
S
Sarah B
As someone who studied fashion design in Mumbai, her critiques at LFW were always the most insightful. She looked at the craft, the fabric, the story—not just the celebrity in the front row. An immense loss for the industry.
K
Karthik V
While her work was undoubtedly pioneering, I sometimes felt her writing in later years was a bit nostalgic and less connected to the fast-paced, digital-first fashion world of today. That said, her foundational role is unquestionable. A life well lived.
N
Nisha Z
'Fashion Kaleidoscope' is still on my shelf! She documented our sartorial history so meticulously. From Fabindia to Manish Malhotra, she saw it all and wrote about it with such clarity. Heartfelt condolences to her family.

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