As FDCI selects 14 models for their forthcoming show, Riya Sharma talks to designers who tell her the reason why we have a lot of international talent coming in and also that there is a positive change in the industry
Models were waiting in long queues to give their best shot — new ones seemed nervous and anticipated, whereas the experienced ones looked comfortable. Some of them even danced to the beats of music played at the backdrop. When we reached the FDCI building, where 14 models were being selected for the forthcoming Autumn/Winter collection show, they had already been allotted their numbers and groups. We spotted some of them patiently waiting in the waiting area whereas others kept chatting and giggling with each other.
Before the auditions began, we spotted most of them giving a final touch to their make-up and trying to rehearse their walk. As it started, amid the clicks of cameras and a jury of five judges, they began to showcase their best walk with poise, confidence and panache. In the first round, models came in a group of eight and were not asked to do anything in particular. As they say, you have got only one shot and this is what most of the models went through.
A BIG INDUSTRY
Though the presence of international talent has always been more in comparison to the home-grown ones, we asked the designers the reason for it. “As a nation, we have always embraced the white skin. (But I don’t think that is the reason). I feel the world has become a smaller and a seamless space. Models are travelling overseas and I think it is easier to land good model jobs here. It has nothing to do with white skin fixation completely,” said ace designer Namrata Joshipura. “Most certainly, I think we are more open. Not only as designers, but people also come to see the show,and the media,” she added.
Whereas designer duo Gauri and Nainika shared, “It is such a big industry now. The Indian fashion industry is so big that it demands more talents. Models and the Indian fashion industry have become global in the way Indian designers are perceived, and you have to have an international mix of all kinds of faces.”
THE DISAPPOINTED VOICES
With this, as the first round came to an end, we saw many models dejected by the results. Ipshita who runs a model management company said, “They haven’t selected a lot of good girls which we thought were really nice.”
Aparna, who was a participant last time as well, said in disappointment, “last time was so good. I think they are looking for an overall package. But this time, I wasn’t well. I don’t think I was able to give my 100 per cent. The first walk last year was nice but this time it did not go well.” We heard many of them consoling each other by saying, “You were good, it is a competition, you don’t have to think about that.”
Whereas Meenakshi, who was also auditioning for the second time said, “This how it works. I think they are looking for perfection.” When we asked if she would consider herself as the complete package, she smiled, “I think so.”
WHAT THEY REAllY Want
Before the auditions, many models wonder what the jury is looking for. If they get selected, they don’t need the answer but if they, don’t then the answer remains unanswered. Gauri and Nainika told us that one needs much more than just being tall and good-looking. “It is a combination of height, which is the pre-requisite and great walk. These things matter the most. You can’t be very thin or be even slightly overweight. You have to be the perfect balance of the tones, fit and slender. It is not necessary that you have to be skinny. It actually works against you.”
Joshipura echoed the same response when she said, “Great walk and body — that is given. The model should be able to hold the ramp, you know. A model should have that great presence and personality to wear clothes. That is very important.”
YOUNG TAlENT OR EXPERIENCED
We saw a lot of models whom we spotted last time as well. So, is the industry keen on welcoming new talents or do the older ones have an upper hand. Designers think it is the combination of both. “It is a combination of both. The older ones have experience but newness is always welcomed. It is always good to see new faces. It is a combination and a balance of two,” said Joshipura.
On the other hand, the designer-duo shared, “There is no such thing. We think it all depends on how good you are as a model. The older ones have an upper hand because they have more experience. So automatically, they become more confident and the walk improves. Otherwise it is all about how good you are as a model,” they concluded.
photos Sanjeev Kumar