Meher Castelino, the first-ever Femina Miss India and a pioneering voice in Indian fashion journalism, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 81. A trailblazer in both pageantry and media, Castelino leaves behind a legacy that shaped how fashion has been understood, documented, and analysed in India for decades.
Born in Mumbai, Meher Castelino entered public life in 1964 when she became the first woman to be crowned Miss India, going on to represent the country at the Miss Universe and Miss United Nations contests abroad. Her win marked a defining moment in India’s cultural history, opening global doors for Indian women in beauty and representation at a time when such platforms were still emerging.
While her pageant success brought her early recognition, it was her work in journalism that cemented her enduring influence. Castelino began her writing career in 1973 with her first article in Eve’s Weekly. What followed was an extraordinary journey as a full-time fashion journalist and syndicated columnist whose work appeared in nearly 130 to 160 national and international newspapers and magazines, making her one of the most widely published fashion writers of her time.
She is widely regarded as a pioneer of fashion journalism in India, long before the industry gained mainstream visibility. Castelino wrote extensively on fashion, beauty, lifestyle, travel, and the business of fashion, bringing depth and credibility to a field that was often dismissed as superficial. Her analytical approach helped shift fashion coverage away from celebrity glamour towards craftsmanship, branding, consumer behaviour, and industry evolution.
An accomplished author, Castelino penned several influential books, including Manstyle, Fashion Kaleidoscope, and Fashion Musings, which offered insights into trends, design philosophy, and India’s changing fashion landscape. Her writing was known for its archival richness, historical context, and sharp industry memory, making her columns a valuable chronicle of India’s journey from boutique culture to global runway recognition.
She also served as the official fashion writer for major events such as Lakme Fashion Week and other prominent fashion weeks, and was frequently invited as a judge and speaker at fashion institutes and industry awards. Passionate about nurturing talent, Castelino mentored young designers and writers, maintaining close ties with fashion schools and jury panels across the country.
Meher Castelino is survived by her son Karl, daughter-in-law Nisha, and daughter Christina. With her passing, India loses not just its first Miss India, but a formidable chronicler of fashion who helped define the industry’s intellectual and cultural framework.
