Patel continued modelling assignments in London, while he was still a student. In 2002, Patel visited India to participate in Zee TV's Supermodel Hunt. He won the contest and came into limelight in the Indian modelling and fashion industry. He, then, appeared in India Fashion Week, New Delhi. Atul Kasbekar, India's leading fashion photographer, chose him to model for designer JJ Valaya's first ever men's couture campaign.