JOIN USFashion is an incredible part of youngsters’ lives and the clothes they wear are in fact a reflection of their personality. For more than three years now, Metrolife’s ‘Haute Style’ has been creating a whole new attitude for the college students by attiring them in clothes from different and esteemed brands.
Not just that, it has also been a great platform for students to get a break in the glamour industry. The students are not only enjoying the experience to the hilt but are also not going back empty handed! The brands have been giving them clothes and gift vouchers, to top it all. Many of these students have been spotted by advertising agencies, makers of reality shows and the film industry. They have gone ahead to do print campaigns and ramp shows.
The Metrolife Fashion Show, which is in its third season now, is an extension of ‘Haute Style’, aimed to give students of all the colleges in the City a bigger platform to express themselves through fashion. As the Metrolife Fashion Show is all set to begin, many of those who made it in the professional world talk about their experiences being part of the ‘Haute Style’ and how that has helped them.
Kevin Prichard, an ex-student of St Joseph’s College of Commerce, was part of the Raymond shoot for ‘Haute Style’. “Modelling is not an easy industry to get a break into. Though I was toying with the idea of modelling, I never took it seriously till ‘Haute Style’ happened. I really enjoyed the experience and got the confidence to take up modelling seriously. It added weightage to my portfolio and helped in getting opportunities in the professional world,” he adds.
For Mrudhula, an ex-student of CMR College, things have taken a turn for the better. The shy and reserved bharatanatyam dancer was only used to posing for pictures in her dance costume. “I never thought I had it in me to become a model. Though I got many offers, I had refused these. But the ‘Haute Style’ shoot gave me great confidence and soon enough, I got a break in Tamil and Telugu movies. The scanned copy of ‘Haute Style’ is part of my portfolio and I can never forget where it all began,” adds Mrudhula, who shot for Kalanjali.
Sandeep Menon, an ex-student of CMR, had shot for Manoviraj Khosla as part of ‘Haute Style’. Recently, he got a break with ‘Malayali House’, a reality show on television. “It came as a surprise when I was called for the show. I feel the exposure you get really gives weightage to the portfolio. Also, it helps in people recognising you,” he adds.
Nicole, a student of SJCC, had done a shoot for ‘Urban Yoga’. Now a professional ramp model, Nicole says that as a student, such exposure really gives one the right direction. Alisha, who is now a part-time model and a lawyer, says ‘Haute Style’ was more than just a photo shoot for her. “We can also give our opinion on the clothes that we get to wear and that’s what makes it different from a commercial shoot,” adds Alisha, who has done a shoot for ‘InMark’.
Neema, a former student of St Joseph’s College of Arts and Science, had shot for ‘Arrow’. She is now a part-time professional model. “‘Haute Style’ has helped me know more about the brands. I never knew that certain brands are affordable until I did the shoot. It certainly had made my student life a lot colourful,” she signs off.