Under the bright arc lights we often envy the waif-thin models walking in the most gorgeous outfits. They look ‘picture perfect’ in every show, from morning till midnight. At the recently conducted Fashion Week, the beautiful collections and good business were a matter of celebration. But the participating models breathed a sigh of relief at the big fashion fete finally being over.
Seasoned model Sonalika Sahay says five days of working non-stop is difficult for a working mom like her, as she has to take care of things on the personal front too.
She adds, “It is a strenuous job because looking good all the time is not a child’s play. At the Fashion Week, we are constantly on our toes and rehearsing till late in the night. The venue Pragati Maidan is huge so running from one main stage to another is really taxing. Once I decided to wear heels to the venue, and I still regret it. It’s impossible to walk in high heels all around the place.”
Talking about her first-hand experience at this edition of Fashion Week, Sonalika mentions, “At Rakesh Agarwal’s show, we had a last-minute trouble with one of the outfits. He had designed a metallic corset and it was supposed to be chained from the back, but one of the helpers goofed up and the chains broke. Immediately, the designer’s team arranged for belts and other straps to keep the corset in place. Another designer had made a collection of paper outfits and one of the helpers threw it away thinking it was waste paper. The poor designer had to struggle last- minute with the model’s entire outfit.”
Veteran model Tinu Verghis mentions that some people in the fashion fraternity can make it look easier than the others. She says, “I guess, self-confidence is the most important requirement in this business. High heels, ill-fitting clothes, getting scratched and hurt in the process are all a part of being a model. Sometimes, we do flip out on unassuming people and a little bit of venting is sometimes necessary. Usually hanging with fellow models calms the nerves. There is always chaos backstage before a show, but once the music begins and it’s time to step on the ramp, nothing else matters anymore. You don’t feel pain or fear.”
For model Kajal Srivastava, who is a regular model at reputed fashion weeks, the idea of Fashion Week is mostly work and no parties.
She says, “Being a model is not easy, but it’s my job and I have to look good on the ramp on any given day. I have faced so many crises backstage. There are designers who demand certain kind of shoes or accessories to go with their collection, and even though you don’t fit in it, you have to display it with élan. There are more than 50 cameras facing you on the ramp, so being picture perfect is very important. After every show, one has to get new make-up or hairdo depending on the designers’ collection, so the skin and hair goes for a toss. But it’s super fun to be on the ramp and that’s what I like to do.”