West not haute for desi models
Even as our young models win accolades for their perfect walk down the ramp, there seem to be very few opportunities for them abroad. In a recent interview model Apoorva Vishwanathan was quoted as saying, “We are genetically more voluptuous and curvaceous. Agencies abroad want girls who are almost skinny. It is tough for us to fit that requirement.”
And women in the industry couldn’t agree more. While some say Indian models lack universal appeal, others feel it’s a competitive world out there and there’s a long way to go before our young models make it big outside.
Model Maushmi Udeshi says the industry in the West is biased. “We are not given many opportunities abroad as they prefer their own, unlike India, where anyone with a fair skin is welcomed. Indian models won’t stand a chance if they’re in Africa for instance,” she says.
Model Amanpreet Wahi feels that the international market is not too optimistic about hiring Indian faces. She says, “Apart from genetic reasons, even if you starve yourself and become stick thin, there’s no guarantee that you’ll make it abroad. In the West, they don’t accept Indian beauty easily. I think they prefer faces and bodies that are considered universally pretty. It’s therefore unfortunate that Indians are obsessed with firang models.”
For former Miss Delhi, Ramneek Pantal, Indian models still a have a long way to go when it comes to professionalism. She says, “The industry abroad is far more professional than ours. I also feel that senior models here refuse to retire, so we don’t see many fresh faces apart from those seen during fashion weeks. But even those are lost in the crowd. I think Indian features are not too acceptable as well. If you give it some thought you will see that the only models who have made it internationally are the ones who look like Brazilian models. It’s a long road ahead for our models. We need new faces, and more professionalism.”
Age is another factor that’s not in favour of Indian models. Many in the industry feel that because Indian models start their careers at a much later stage, in comparison to models abroad, they can’t make a name for themselves. “By the time they establish themselves and are ready for the international arena they’re 25 and they are competing with models who are only 17. Models abroad are far too young and consequently have better chances. I know some friends who wanted to venture into the international market, and did so at the right time. They are doing pretty well for themselves now,” shares model Pia Trivedi.
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