Mumbai/IBNS, Dec. 18 -- Meher Castelino, India's first Femina Miss India and a pioneer of fashion journalism, passed away on Wednesday, media reports said. She was 81.

Castelino is survived by her son Karl, daughter-in-law Nisha, and daughter Christina.

Following her win at the inaugural edition, she went on to represent India at Miss Universe 1964 and other international beauty contests.

Beyond pageantry, Castelino built a distinguished career in fashion and lifestyle journalism, emerging as one of the early pioneers of fashion writing in India. She contributed extensively to Indian media and played a key role in shaping fashion reporting in the country.

Over the decades, she earned recognition for her dual legacy-as a trailblazer in...