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 at preparing models and actors for the realities of the professional world. She adds that the company will soon be producing a music video and a series of short films, featuring talent drawn directly from their student community—further strengthening Iris’s impact as a launchpad for emerging talent.
Q. What changes have you witnessed in beauty standards and pageantry over the last 25 years, and how has Iris adapted to these shifts?
Reflecting on her journey, Dr. Latha Krishna notes that when she began, the industry was far more niche, with relatively few fashion shows and pageants.
“By the mid-2000s, there was a noticeable surge in the number of events being organised,” she says.
“While this growth brought visibility, it also diluted the core purpose of pageantry. The charm and distinction of winning a title are no longer as unique as they once were.”
She adds that societal perceptions continue to pose a challenge.
“Many young aspirants still face pressure from family or society when they express an interest in pursuing this industry as a career. Breaking that mindset remains one of my biggest challenges.”
On evolving beauty standards, Dr. Krishna believes adaptation is essential—but not at the cost of values.
“Beauty is constantly evolving, and it’s important to stay relevant without getting caught in a rat race,” she explains.
Her approach is rooted in inclusivity.
“At Iris, we look beyond conventional measures like height, weight, or complexion. Our focus remains on discovering and nurturing future stars, regardless of how the industry’s definitions continue to change.”
Q. Running the Iris Group of Companies is largely a one-woman leadership journey. How do you manage it, and what challenges come with it?
Dr. Latha Krishna acknowledges that being the proprietor means carrying the full weight of responsibility.
“I’ve never viewed my events purely through a commercial lens—they are driven by passion,” she says.
“If one event doesn’t generate revenue, it never dampens my spirit. I trust that another will balance it out.”
Rooted in a strong belief in hard work, she emphasizes that quality is never compromised.
While she may lead the organisation independently, she is quick to credit the teams that have stood by her.
“I’ve always been fortunate to work with excellent teams who support and strengthen the vision.”
Like any entrepreneurial journey, there have been moments of stress and challenge, but Dr. Krishna remains undeterred.
“No matter the difficulties, I give every project my all to ensure its success. I truly enjoy what I do—and that joy is what keeps me going.”
