Models ramp up Non-glam skills

Popular models are packing their Louis Vuitton bags and flying out of the city, following a drop in the number of fashion shows and steep fee cuts

Models ramp up Non-glam skills

Popular models are packing their Louis Vuitton bags and flying out of the city, following a drop in the number of fashion shows and steep fee cuts.

And those who remain are exploring avenues to supplement their dwindling earnings.

Preetham, who walks the ramp for Prasad Bidapa Associates, said, "Until six months ago, on an average, I did at least five good brand shows a month, besides four or five small ones. This number has dropped by half."

Sujith Sebastian, a ramp model, says, "I used to do at least two shows a week six months ago, but now it's down to only one show a week. The A class shows have all but dried up."

Three months ago, he opted for a job in sales and marketing with a company that makes surgical equipment, anticipating tough times ahead in the modelling world.

Preetham, who turned entrepreneur last year, said, "I knew models don't have long shelf lives. But when I started my fitness centre in Hanumanthnagar, called Classic Bodies, I didn't know what a lifeline it would turn out to be. I am opening another branch in Koramangala to keep me going in these tough times."

Priya Naik, who has done campaigns for brands like VLCC, Royal Orchid Park Plaza, Royal House of Mysore, Emami Fair and Navrathan Silks, said, "I have begun exploring opportunities in Mumbai because it has been dull in Bangalore. The last big shows that we did were almost two months ago. April has been a particularly poor month."

But Prasad Bidapa denies the slump. "We have done five shows recently. We are doing average. Since it's the beginning of the financial year, things are a little slow. April has always been a slow month, but May is looking very good. I'm doing lots of shows next month."

However, he admits wedding planning is an area he will be devoting more time to as the shaadi season peaks.

Roshan Issac, popular model and actor, sees no reason to be upbeat as far as shows are concerned. "The number of shows has come down drastically, but I have a full-time job at Bosch. I have also acted in a film called Savaari. I went to Chennai recently for a couple of screen tests. I'm keeping my fingers crossed," said this mechanical engineer-turned-model-turned-actor.

Faith Pandey, Femina Miss India South and a final year BA student of Mount Carmel College, who began doing ramp shows in December, is toying with the idea of moving to Mumbai because of the dearth of big shows in Bangalore.

Nicole Faria, who was voted Bangalore's supermodel of the year 2008, moved to Delhi two weeks ago. "I moved to Delhi not just for more work, but for better quality work and better fees."

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Bangalore girls Anushka Sharma, Deepika Padukone and Vaishali have made it big in Bollywood, inspiring models like Smitha Rao, Rachel and Karan Rao to pack their bags and follow their dreams.

But what is the scene in Mumbai? Carol Gracias, supermodel based in Mumbai, told MiD DAY, "Honestly, the recession hasn't been as bad as the blasts. After the blasts, hotel events were cancelled and a lot of shows were cancelled."

For Mumbai models, the fashion weeks in Colombo, Mumbai and Delhi brought some welcome work. "At the moment, it is a slow season. But I'm busy with some photo shoots. I haven't really thought of doing anything else other than modelling, but as opportunities arise I will look into it," Carol said.

I moved to Delhi not just for more work, but for better quality work and better fees
Nicole Faria

We have done five shows recently. We are doing average. Since it's the beginning of the financial year, things are a little slow. April has always been a slow month, but May is looking very good. I'm doing lots of shows next month
Prasad Bidapa

I have begun exploring opportunities in Mumbai because it has been dull in Bangalore. The last big shows that we did were almost two months ago. April has been a particularly poor month
Priya Naik

I knew models don't have long shelf lives. But when I started my fitness centre in Hanumanthnagar, called Classic Bodies, I didn't know what a lifeline it would turn out to be. I am opening another branch in Koramangala to keep me going in these tough times
Preetham, who turned entrepreneur

The number of shows has come down drastically, but I have a full-time job at Bosch. I have also acted in a film called Savaari. I went to Chennai recently for a couple of screen tests. I'm keeping my fingers crossed
Roshan Issac, Model and actor

I used to do at least two shows a week six months ago, but now it's down to only one show a week. The A class shows have all but dried up
Sujith Sebastian, ramp model