Svelte models have always dominated the runway. But as men’s fashion gains steam, male models could well give their female counterparts a run for their money. Men’s Fashion Week gave many male models the long overdue chance to improve their market value.
“Men’s Fashion Week will draw more buyers to India, looking for male fashion. It will also give male models a chance to make their presence felt on the ramp, which was initially dominated by females,” says model Deepak Wadhwa, who walked the ramp at MFW.
While male models who participated in the Men’s Fashion Week are hopeful of a change, grooming expert Meyhar Bhasin says the industry is still dominated by female models who are paid 30 to 40 percent more than men in the industry. “The main reason for this trend, especially in Delhi, is that we don’t have a wide choice in male models here. In fact, there must be only 20 great male models in the city, most of whom want to pursue modelling only as a stepping stone to the acting industry.”
Some male models are already getting better work and money for shows. Says model Lalit Tehlan, “Our value has increased already. Many of us are paid more for Men’s Fashion Week shows than what we are paid for other fashion weeks.”
Seconds Sunil Sethi, president, FDCI, “We have paid the male models the amount that they deserve. The week has definitely increased their value in the modelling industry. At the end of the day, there is huge business for them in this fashion week,” he concludes.
But model Varun Mitra is quite sceptical about this change. “While this will definitely bring new faces on the ramp, I am not too sure to what extent would Men’s Fashion Week be able to lift the market value of male models,” says Varun.