India’s love with foreign models is a two-sided affair. What strikes you first about them is their height and flawless skin. Leggy models are not only attractive but have the elan to carry off just about any garment.
Metrolife caught up with a few foreign models, who walked the ramp during the Blenders Pride Bangalore Fashion Week, and asked them to share their experience of working in India.
Most of these models, who are from Russia, Iran, Afghanistan and Ukraine, point out that good communication is essential to finding their way around the country. These young girls make it a point to pick up Hindi in bits and pieces, which they then tend to use rather lavishly wherever they go. They work not less than 13 hours a day and find sleep and shopping as the best ways to de-stress.
Nissar, casting director, says that he chose 32 models for this year’s Blenders Pride Bangalore Fashion Week. “We’ve given a lot of fresh faces a chance this season. Mixing senior models with the new girls gives the new ones a lot of confidence. It’s a big break for them,” he says.
Marcela, an Argentinian model, now based in Delhi, considers herself to be more of an Indian. “I am more than settled here in India and I could never be happier, when it comes to work. My fiance, a German, runs a modelling agency and I do a lot of
shows for him in addition to walking for some of the best designers across the country,” says Marcela.
On a more serious note, she feels that Indian models — both male and female — put in a lot of effort to look good. “Modelling is a serious business and what I like about India, more than its clothes, is the professionalism with which things are managed,” she adds. Hanna from Ukraine says that she always admires the way Indian models carry themselves.
“They are beautiful and confident people. Here in India, you get to wear some of the best clothes and walk for the biggest names in the fashion industry, which is not the case back home,” she observes. Hanna feasts on chocolates and sticks to a healthy diet.
Jessica, a Hungarian model, doesn’t think there’s too much difference between the lifestyle and the people of India and Hungary. “The food is just as spicy and the people are warm. I felt rather strange when I first moved to India but I think those around me made me feel at home. It pays to have Indian friends,” she shares.
Tamila, another model from Ukraine, is excited about everything that is Indian.
“I love chapati and I’ve learnt how to make them, although they come out shapeless most of the time. I also love paneer and my next agenda is to learn how to cook it. The food is the best part,” she beams.
Iran is not the place for models, says Nina Mojarad, an Iranian who moved out of her country to pursue two of her passions— psychology and modelling.
“I couldn’t think about modelling in my country and my parents were most supportive when I told them about my passion. India offers a lot of freedom to women and that’s something I am enjoying at the moment. The ramp always gives me a high,” she says.