The 21st century has proved itself as a century which has goaded the exhibitionist and consumerist tendencies of humans and this has led to an increased emphasis on one of the passages of exhibitionism i.e. clothing and cosmetics. With a greater focus being put on clothing and the fashion industry, an all new set of professions have come up for the people to take up and earn a handsome living.
Professions such as designing, modelling, photography and direction have opened myriads ways of learning these skills and excelling in them as well.
In this piece, we would be focussing only on modelling as a field of profession and how one can get into this field and do great.The craze of modelling as a profession has been beefed up particularly due to many Indian designers aced their field of expertise and presented their ideas on an international level.Fashion designers like Ritu Beri, J.J. Vallaya, Sandeep Khosla and Sabyasachi Mukherjee have been able to gather international fame for their works making fashion industry in India a lucrative field of work.This splurge has been accompanied by an increase in media reach in the country and the world as a whole making youth to take up professions in this field with modelling being the topmost choice of many youngsters.
Modelling may prove to be a career that can give you poise and confidence. In this career, you get to travel to new places, meet creative professionals and at the same time earn a good deal. With this being a very competitive field one should be very familiar with the work that goes into being hired as a fashion model. Modelling is not just about good looks, sharp walks and posing. Modelling as a profession demands more. A good level of intelligence and emotional strength is required to keep moving on. But let us first understand what models do.
A model is one such entity who uses her or his physical attributes to market a certain piece of commodity, produce or art. A model can be of different types such as fitness, runway, commercial, shoulder, neck and hand etc. So before entering this field one is required to know what type of model one aspires to be and start working upon that.
Once one has decided which type of modelling they would be taking up, they should start practising. The digital age has proved to be a boon when it comes to learning new things. One can learn to walk, behave and pose. All that is prerequisite in modelling. It is very important to take references and study and try to inculcate those attributes in oneself.
The other step that is worth considering is body training and exercising. It is way too important when it comes to the field of modelling such as fitness and runway. The walk performed in a runway requires a certain level of core strength to maintain the required posture and form. Training and exercise also increases endurance and strength levels which is many times required to be put into use while donning a certain look. Modelling can be a very demanding career and maintaining a healthy lifestyle will ensure good mental and physical health. It is very important to develop a certain regimen when it comes to working out and dieting because at the end of the day it is your bodily attributes that you are going to be hired or paid for.
One can also get training from institutes for modelling.A modelling institute can help one to develop the required skill of walking, mannerism and posing. The institutes also help develop a good portfolio which certainly proves to be helpful to get work.
A professional portfolio is very important to showcase what one has got.
One can research for reputable agencies and apply. Social media is a potent platform for discovery not only for looking out for the best agents but also letting your presence be felt. Social media can prove to be a boon when used effectively. It is one of the best ways to show to the hirers what you have got to give.
The last and the final step which will be a deciding factor in this journey of you becoming a model is your capacity to hear 'No'. Rejection is a part of this job, one may fail to see what you and others find unique and authentic about you. But this is what is required, a will to keep on moving no matter what, toiling hard each day, honing one's skills and getting better day by day.
- Saket