Dr. Latha Krishna at 25 Years of Iris Founded by Dr. Latha Krishna, Iris Group has been at the forefront of India’s modelling, fashion, and entertainment industry for over 25 years. From Iris Events and Face of Chennai to Iris Glam, Iris Studios, and Iris Productions, the group offers comprehensive training, professional platforms, and real-world opportunities for aspiring models and actors. Committed to inclusivity, excellence, and innovation, Iris continues to shape careers and redefine beauty and talent standards across the country. For over 25 years, Dr. Latha Krishna has nurtured aspiring models, created landmark events like Face of Chennai, and set a Guinness World Record for the maximum number of models on a single ramp. Driven by passion, inclusivity, and a relentless commitment to quality, she continues to inspire a generation of young talent while redefining beauty standards. Q. What inspired you to start Iris Events, and what was the original vision you had 25 years ago? “The spark was lit in 1996, when I participated in Mrs Chennai, an event founded by my friend Poornima Kumar. Winning the title that year was a defining moment, but what followed proved even more transformative. As I began assisting her with marketing the event, I realised that the platform was exclusively for married women. That observation led me to a larger question—why wasn’t there a similar, structured platform for young people with aspirations in modelling and the entertainment industry? That question became the foundation of Iris. I started the company with a clear vision: to create opportunities for aspiring youth, nurture raw talent, and offer them a credible launchpad into the world of fashion, modelling, and entertainment. What began as a simple idea has since evolved into a purpose-driven enterprise focused on empowerment, professionalism, and lasting impact.” Q. In the early days, what were the biggest challenges you faced as a woman entrepreneur in the beauty and fashion industry? Dr. Latha Krishna reflects that one of the earliest hurdles was societal hesitation. “Even today, many parents are reluctant to encourage their children to pursue modelling as a career, which naturally limits the number of young people who feel free to explore this path. Despite that, we’ve consistently managed to attract participants year after year.” Interestingly, she notes that being a woman entrepreneur was never a personal obstacle. “The more persistent challenge lay in the operational side—particularly in securing sponsors to support and sustain the event. Despite these challenges, I’ve been fortunate to receive steadfast support from partners like Naturals, GRT, and a few others who have stood by me throughout my journey. Their belief in the vision has played a significant role in our growth over the past 25 years—and they continue to be an integral part of our story.” Q. How did the idea of creating the Face of Chennai beauty pageant come about, and what makes it different from other pageants? Dr. Latha Krishna shares that Face of Chennai, launched in 2012, has grown to become the organisation’s flagship event. “What gives us the greatest pride is seeing how many of our participants have gone on to build successful careers in modelling and even the film industry,” she says. She adds that the pageant was conceived with a clear purpose. “Unlike many pageants today that focus on hype or hand out titles for the sake of visibility, Face of Chennai was designed to be a genuine launchpad. Our aim has always been to identify and nurture future stars.” Staying true to this vision, the platform remains inclusive and welcoming to all young aspirants who are serious about pursuing a career in modelling, offering them a meaningful place to begin their journey. Q. You hold a Guinness World Record. Could you tell us about the event and how the record was set? Dr. Latha Krishna recalls that the idea stemmed from a desire to do something truly distinctive. “A colleague of mine, Jaya, suggested that we attempt something out of the ordinary. After much thought, we decided to aim for a world record,” she says. The concept they settled on was ambitious—having the maximum number of models walk on a single ramp. At the time, the existing record, set in Singapore, stood at 360 participants. “With that benchmark in mind, I set a personal target of 500 models,” she explains. The preparation was extensive: nearly 1,000 aspiring models were trained over a rigorous six-month period. From this pool, 400 were shortlisted, and ultimately, 386 models took to the ramp to successfully set the Guinness World Record. She emphasizes that the achievement was the result of intense planning and teamwork. “The preparation involved enormous coordination across multiple divisions and experts. It was truly a collective effort that earned us the record.” While the record has since been surpassed by Thailand in 2021, Dr. Krishna notes with pride that the team continues to hold a significant place in India’s record books for this landmark achievement. Q. Over the years, how did Iris Events evolve into the Iris Group of Companies, and what impact has this transformation had on the industry? Dr. Latha Krishna explains that Iris began its journey in 2000 as Iris Events, with a gradual yet clear focus on grooming talent for the modelling industry. “As the years went by, we realised the need to specialise and offer structured training to aspirants who wanted to enter the industry well-prepared,” she says. This vision led to the launch of Iris Glam in 2018, a dedicated vertical focused on training individuals across multiple disciplines essential to the industry. Soon after, Iris Studios was introduced—a purpose-built space designed not only for professional photo shoots but also as a hands-on training environment for students. The group’s most recent venture, Iris Productions, continues this philosophy of creating opportunities. “Iris has always been a platform for aspirants, and the production house allows us to take that commitment a step further by offering real, on-the-job experience,” Dr. Krishna shares. The initiative is aimed
The Sculpting Trinity
Mastering Contour, Highlight, and Blush. Often mistaken for a complicated technique, face sculpting is actually built on three simple essentials—the Power Trio. When used correctly, they enhance your natural bone structure rather than mask it, creating definition that looks effortless and refined. Together, these three elements work in balance to lift, shape, and illuminate the face, delivering that sculpted, supermodel finish without the overwhelm. After 13 years behind the makeup chair, I’ve witnessed trends come and go. If there’s one constant, it’s that social media has made face sculpting seem far more intimidating than it truly is. Achieving that coveted “supermodel” structure is simply about understanding how the Power Trio works together in perfect harmony. STEP 1 Sculpt with Shadows (Contouring) The Vibe: Creating the illusion of depth to lift and chisel. The Pro Secret: Real shadows are cool toned. Always look for “ashy” or “taupe” shades. If the product is too orange, it will look like a smudge of dirt rather than a natural shadow. The Magic Blend: Always blend upward. Blending downward drags the face down and creates a “muddy” appearance. The Rule: Place your product starting from the top of your ear moving toward the corner of your mouth, but stop two finger-widths away from your lips. This keeps the face looking lifted. “Two-Finger” STEP 2 Add Life (Blush) The Vibe: The “bridge” that seamlessly connects your shadow and your light. The Technique: Apply your blush just above your contour line. Instead of only hitting the apples of your cheeks, blend it slightly upward and back toward your temples. Why it Matters: Blush is what makes contour look like real skin. It adds warmth and ensures the transition between your sculpted shadows and your bright highlights is soft and seamless. STEP 3 Glow with Light (Highlighting) The Vibe: Bringing features forward to make skin look “expensive” and hydrated. The Pro Secret: Avoid chunky glitter! For a sophisticated look, you want a “lit-from-within” sheen that mimics a fresh facial. The “C” Lift: Apply your highlighter in a “C” shape from the top of your cheekbone up toward your temple. The Finishing Touches: A tiny dab on the bridge of the nose and the Cupid’s bow makes the features pop instantly. Final Tip: The “Side-Mirror” Check Before you head out, turn your head! We often blend perfectly for the front view but forget the “racing stripe” visible from the side. Check your blend in natural light—if you can see where the makeup starts, keep tapping with a damp sponge! When the Power Trio is used in harmony, face sculpting stops being a trend and becomes a technique—one that enhances rather than transforms. It’s not about harsh lines or heavy layers, but about balance, intention, and understanding your features. Master these three elements, and the sculpted, confident finish you see on runways and red carpets becomes effortlessly achievable in real life.
