Models flaunt clothes designed by Kunal Kaushik

The fashion industry is galloping at a speed like never before and, as such, has thrown open many career opportunities for the younger generation.

Modelling is one of them. A highly glamorous profession, modelling has become a craze among the youth. But is modelling everyone’s cup of tea? Can every person who aspires to be a model become one? To be very honest — with no intention of discouraging or disappointing anyone — the answer is no.

Modelling, as a profession, has its own requirements. It’s as much about looks, height and weight as it is about believing in oneself and being professional at all times.

Recently, the craze for modelling has swept through the Northeast. Young girls and boys are aspiring to be a part of this highly competitive and glamorous world. With models from the region like Dipannita Sharma, Monikankana Dutta, Esther Jamir, Binita Baruah, Aryan Biju Baruah and a few others making waves at the national and international scenario, the craze has only escalated.

However, one needs to understand that like any other career, modelling is a high profile and serious profession. It’s not an easy job. One has to go through an extensive grooming session, a complete transformation of personality and learn the secrets of the trade.

First and foremost, what is required along with a beautiful body and mind is a positive attitude. It’s very important that you belief in yourself. You cannot expect others to have confidence in you if you don’t have it yourself.

An aspiring model should present herself as a product they truly believe in. So be completely honest with yourself, love yourself and believe in yourself. All good things take time in coming and every career has its own demands and sacrifices.

Most aspiring models don’t realise that there is a lot of hard work involved and get frustrated when things don’t move quickly. But you should know better — don’t give up because you have chosen this as your career and cannot rely on others to put in the effort required. You need to be physically, mentally and emotionally strong to make it and survive here.

It is critical to understand the industry in order to learn to separate your emotional aspect from the “product” aspect. The tools of your trade are your photograph portfolio and your resume.

Since the market is your deciding factor, you must place your product — the photograph portfolio — in the market.

The portfolio is the main identity of an aspiring model. The photographs in your portfolio should be the best you can provide.

Always remember you are competing with thousands of models around the world, so you need to look terrific all the time.

Your portfolio should “read” just like a book. It should have a terrific beginning, a strong middle and a sensational ending. It should display your strengths to potential clients and show what you are capable of selling — be it clothes, cars or cosmetics.

At the beginning of your career in fashion modelling, your portfolio should include:

At least two head shots with two different expressions (one smiling and one serious) or one in the studio and one outdoors.

At least two fashion shots (one casual and one a little more formal)

At least one full-length shot showing the proportion of your body (feet to knees, knees to thighs, thighs to waist, waist to shoulders, shoulders to the top of your head).

What is important is that you must “become” the photo and direct every ounce of your energy and personality towards the camera.

No matter what your mood, you must always give it your best and leave any unhappy feeling outside the studio. If you are not really “into” a photo, it will show , even if the rest of the team has done a first rate job. You are the key to the success of a photo.

There are several areas of modelling, each with their own requirements. Starting with fashion modelling which encompasses everything from fashion shoots for glossies to mail order catalogues, from live shows for haute couture houses to rag trade promotions. The term fashion, in this context, refers to clothing and accessories.

To work in this area, women need to be (at least) 167.5 cm tall, weigh 50 kg and possess vital statistics of 85-60-87.5 cm. Men should be (at least) 180 cm tall, weigh 80 kg with vital stats of 100-80-95 cm.

What’s essential for both the sexes is a clear skin, good teeth, a great smile, expressive eyes and healthy hair. Also, you should be an extrovert by nature and uninhibited, even inspired by crowds.

Modelling clothes is an art of learning how to walk, to move and show off the clothing to the best effect in order to sell it. Clothing is designed to appeal to people leading specific lifestyles as well as to those simply aspiring for them.

The entire effect created by the model — the mood, the clothing, the art direction and the advertisement placement — must enhance the image of the clothes and be consistent throughout.

If you are short and heavy, perhaps print and commercial advertising is what you are best suited for.

To get started in this area, all you need is a decent close-up photo and a body shot of yourself. Be yourself, keep your face clean of make-up, stick to you natural hair colour and normal hairstyle. The body shot must show your physical proportions and silhouette.

Whether you are new to the modelling business or an old hand, it’s important to keep up with trends in fashion photography and the best way to do this is to subscribe to a wide variety of magazines.

You will also need to monitor your diet, exercise, sleep, skincare, make-up, hair, clothes and TV commercials.

Modelling is a very self-centred career and it takes strength of character to focus on yourself and your career constantly.

At times, this can be frustrating, expensive and depressing. But, it can also be educational, lucrative, uplifting and confidence-building.

To remain true to yourself, you have to maintain your own ethics and morals.

Take care of yourself and the people around you, but always be professional.