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Simar Dugal Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated October 15, 2026 • 3 min read

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Quick Info

Date of birth20 May 1968

Age52 (at time of death)

ProfessionModel, Designer

NationalityIndian

Marital statusDivorced (at time of death)

SpousePremjit Dugal (ex-husband)

FamilySon - Arjan Singh Dugal; Mother - Rita Sawhney; Brother - Parmeet Singh Sawhney

Simar Dugal Biography

Simar Dugal was an Indian model-turned-designer known for her work on the runway and for creating heritage-inspired ethnic wear. Discovered in Delhi, she ­

Early life and background

Simar Dugal was born on 20 May 1968 and grew up in a family based in Amritsar and New Delhi. Her mother, Rita Sawhney, worked as a landscape photographer and raised Simar and her brother Parmeet Singh Sawhney after being widowed. Educated at Jesus and Mary College, University of Delhi, Simar came from a conservative household that initially resisted her wish to pursue modeling.

As a young woman she spent time at the Delhi Golf Club and developed an interest in golf, a pastime she continued to enjoy later in life. Her early life also included an early marriage and the birth of a son, Arjan Singh Dugal, who later pursued a career in menswear design.

Career

Simar’s entry into fashion came when designer Suneet Varma noticed her at the Delhi Golf Club and photographed her for his book published by Niyogi Publishers. That professional shoot marked the beginning of a modeling career that placed her among the most recognizable faces on the Indian runway. Over the years she worked with prominent names in Indian fashion, including Ritu Kumar and Tarun Tahiliani, and modeled for projects such as Ritu Kumar’s book on historic costumes and the ‘‘Tree of Life’’ shows.

Known for a tall, slim frame and distinctive presence on the ramp, Simar was regarded as a muse by several designers. She challenged conventional expectations for models, continuing to walk the runway after marriage and motherhood. Eventually she transitioned from modeling into design, launching her own label, Simar Dugal. Her collections leaned on heritage-inspired aesthetics with subtle embellishment, and she produced garments for the Indian market as well as leatherwear for export.

Her clients included high-profile Bollywood names who wore her creations for public appearances and events. Her last noted collection was titled Chakori Collection.

Public profile

Simar was publicly described as one of the early leading figures in Indian modeling and was sometimes referred to as ‘‘India’s first supermodel.’’ Colleagues and collaborators remembered her for intelligence, poise, and an affinity for textile history; she traveled with design houses for shows and enjoyed discussing the cultural stories behind garments.

She identified with Sikhism and belonged to the Khatri community. Standing around 5 feet 8 inches tall, Simar had dark brown hair and black eyes. Her public life included a period of relationship with Rajeet Nabha, and she had been married to Premjit Dugal, with whom she had a son. At the time of her death she was divorced.

Latest updates

Simar Dugal died on 12 August 2020 at the age of 52 at her mother’s residence in New Delhi. Reports at the time stated that she had been battling liver cancer for several years. Her passing prompted public remembrances from peers in the fashion community, who noted her contributions to Indian runway history and her role as a longtime muse for designers.

Legacy

Simar Dugal’s career spanned modeling and design during a formative period for Indian fashion. She is remembered for bringing a narrative quality to runway presentation and for translating an appreciation of heritage textiles into commercially available garments. Her label and the designers she worked with reflected a bridge between traditional crafts and contemporary fashion presentation, and her work continued to be associated with a refined, heritage-led sensibility.

RecentWork

Simar’s first professional photoshoot was featured in the book Suneet Varma published by Niyogi Publishers.

Her last design collection was the Chakori Collection.

Editorial Review and Sources

This F4U profile is written from publicly available career and profile information, then reviewed for clarity before publication. If you spot an outdated detail about Simar Dugal, send the page URL and a reliable correction source to f4udotin@gmail.com.

Reference context: StarsUnfolded

Accuracy

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Recent Work

Suneet Varma photoshoot (first professional picture)

Featured in the book 'Suneet Varma' published by Niyogi Publishers; served as her first professional modeling assignment.

Chakori Collection

Last noted design collection released under her label.

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Career Highlights

  1. Began career after being discovered by designer Suneet Varma at the Delhi Golf Club
  2. Modeled for major Indian designers including Ritu Kumar and Tarun Tahiliani
  3. Launched her own label, Simar Dugal, producing heritage-inspired garments and leatherwear for export
  4. Worn by Bollywood celebrities and considered a prominent face of the Indian runway
Reviewed by F4U Editorial Desk

F4U profile pages are prepared from public career information, checked for readability, and updated when reliable correction sources are shared with the editorial team.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Simar Dugal born?

Simar Dugal was born on 20 May 1968.

What is Simar Dugal known for?

Simar Dugal is known for model, Designer.

What is Simar Dugal’s marital status?

Simar Dugal's marital status is listed as Divorced (at time of death).

Who is Simar Dugal married to?

Simar Dugal is publicly listed as married to Premjit Dugal (ex-husband).