Model speak: I can always go back to accounting

This is first timer model loves the city and the modelling industry in Mumbai

Name: Fiona Thomas

Hometown: Perth, Australia

About her: My mother is Sri Lankan and my dad is Anglo-Indian. I was born in Perth and have lived there all my life. I have studied business and accounting before deciding to take a plunge into modelling.

Why modelling: Well it was always something I was doing during my university days, as well as the time that I was working. I thought it was a good time to give it a shot and see how it goes. If it doesn't work I can always go back to accounting in Perth.

How Lakme Fashion Week came about: My agency back home got a call from an agency here and before I knew it I was flying down to India to be at the Lakme Fashion Week.

Her experience at LFW: I must confess it is very well organized, contrary to the things I'd heard about fashion weeks in India. It isn't chaotic and more importantly, the girls here are warm and friendly. I already have made friends with quite a few of them here.

Her favourite designers: I quite liked Sabyasachi, Satya Paul and Malini Ramani's collections.

How Mumbai is treating her: Quite well actually. I have been to this city a few times before but never for work. It's a big city that makes Perth look like a small town. It can be quite overwhelming so it's a good thing that I have my mother with me. Come to think of it, I have never really travelled alone at all! Most of my vacations have been family holidays.

Her favourite travel destination: It's in Sri Lanka. I like this place called Galle, which is where my mother comes from. I also like Colombo which is a toned down version of India.

The three things she does when she checks into a hotel room: Check the bathroom the bed and then unpack and make the room feel like home.

What her parents have to say about her choice of career: My mom who is a retired interior designer is super supportive. But my dad who is an accountant was quite apprehensive because of how people perceive modelling industry. But he knows I have a degree to fall back on so he's okay now. He has watched all my shows in Perth but doesn't know much about modelling. When I told him I had shot for Vogue, he didn't know what it was! I had to tell him it was like the Time magazine of the fashion world.

Her plans for the year: Well they are quite flexible right now. After LFW, I do a few photo shoots and then go to Delhi for the Wills India Fashion Week. The idea is to test the waters and see if I can actually become a successful model here in India. I will be able to take a call on how things shape up towards the end of the year.

How she keeps fit: I have a very heavy breakfast followed by a lot of water. Then I have a somewhat heavy lunch. Dinner is usually very light.

How she takes care of her hair: I have been oiling my hair everyday from the time I came to India. But otherwise I regularly wash and condition it.

Music she likes: R&B primarily. My favourite song is Boom Boom Pow by Black Eyed Peas.

Her sense of style: Chic and girly

The quirky side no one knows of: I have five cats at home. I am a cat freak.

Dream date: I would like to go to someplace small and quiet and have a nice romantic dinner. Wine perhaps. Nothing very elaborate.

If money wasn't an issue: I'd probably buy an island.

Fiona Thomas was the Lakme Face of the Day on Day Two of the Lakme Fashion Week.