PHOREN GIRLS LOVE THE INDIAN RAMP

That’s because, they say, the opportunities here are good for them, the designers are talented and sweet, and the country is a very attractive place. And this is the reason why India’s emerging as a good career option for firang models

 

The last two fashion weeks that were held simultaneously in Delhi really were rainbow events, and more international in character than past fashion weeks have been. That was because, apart from the participation of a top Hong Kong-based designer in one and a South African choreographer in the other, there were quite a number of foreign models there too. And they were from Brazil, Tanzania, South Africa, Mauritius, Sri Lanka… The girls said that not only was India a beautiful, vibrant place that they’d wanted to visit, it also offered them a great opportunity in terms of visibility and attractive remuneration for their ramp stint here.
Cintia Rosa of Brazil says she loved her fashion week experience here. “Being a part of fashion weeks is quite important career-wise,” she says. “It’s good for a models’ career. It’s a completely new experience here. The opportunities are great. One can mature as a model in India.” Laimi Mongji from South Africa was also quite upbeat about her India-yeah experience. “The best part about modelling here is the exposure you get. It is bigger and better. The designers and the people here are highly professional and I also liked the Indian models. They are beautiful and well groomed. They can even do their own make-up – we have to depend completely on the make-up artists!”

The girls come here despite being well-established in their own countries. “I have been an ex-Miss Tanzania and am quite popular in my country,” says Millen Happiness Magese from South Africa. “But when I was coming to India, I never knew that there would be such a warm reception and even warmer acceptance. The money was good and the chance to see this country was interesting, and that’s why I took the offer up in the first place. But the idea that Indians have matured enough to put blacks on the ramp and let them take the lead was indeed surprising. Now, I feel quite honoured at having got the chance.”
Apart from the acceptance, the chance to see India, and it’s growing fashion industry, was also a factor in the models’ decision to come here. And once they did, they loved the experience. Model Mariana can even drape a saree now, even though she wouldn’t wear it all the time! “Life did become hectic during the fashion week. But when I think of it now, I feel great about the event,” she says. “Even though there was enough pressure to deal with, we had our moments of fun. Yes, Indian fashion is growing. And it is great to see how keen the designers in India are to experiment with new things. They are all so confident about their ideas.” Who is her favourite Indian designer? “I like Wendell Rodricks. Since he is invariably in a good mood, the work does become really easy. But this doesn’t negate the fact that he is quite a professional.” Happy with the treatment of foreign models in India, Mariana says, “I have to say that a lot of attention was paid to the food that was offered to us during the fashion week. People paid attention to the little details when we were here, and so we didn’t face any difficulty.” Model Tatiana, from Brazil is glad that the fashion week helped her work with some of the top notch designers of the country. “The fashion designers were quite friendly and helpful, which made our task as models easier,” she says.

Heema Mandil from Mauritius found it easy to work in India since she says that she comes from a culture that’s closer to India anyway. “I’d always wanted to wear Indian clothes,” she says. “There are so many creative designers – it’s great to work with them.” Despite having visited India for both professional and personal reasons, it is India’s exotic appeal that she think is “an essential element to attract visitors”. Heema also feels that fashion in Mauritius is a replication of Indian fashion. “This is because Mauritius comprises a significant Indian population,” she says.

 

 

(Source- The Times of India)