Model woes!

Two fashion weeks later, designers complain the new models lack oomph.

Two fashion weeks, 75 shows and over 100 of India’s leading designers showcased their Autumn/Winter 2007 collections. But one common grouse that echoed from both Delhi and Mumbai is that the new faces on the runway lack oomph and chutzpah.

“The new models are pathetic. I had to take models from outside the pool allotted to me,” says Delhi-based Manav Gangwani who showed at WIFW.

Lakme-IMG and Wills-FDCI/PDM had conducted auditions for the fresh face of the year. However, both weeks still had old timers like Jessae Randhawa, Tupur and Tapur Chatterjee, Diandra Soares, Joey Mathews, Fleur Xavier, and Nina Manuel stealing the show.

Model Laxmi Rana says, “The weeks provide an opportunity to work with the best in the business and the exposure is unbeatable, but most girls today want instant fame and glory.”

However, the newcomers cry foul. “The designers push for their favourite models. I did fittings for over four hours for Tarun Tahiliani, only to be told that he didn’t like me. There is a lot of politics,” rues Delhi-based  Ekta Chaudhary Afghan beauty queen Vida Samadzai, who was prevented from walking the ramp last time at WIFW, was invited this time around. However, the money offered was too less. “IMG offered me a far better deal, double the price offered by Delhi. I did 11 shows at LFW and it’s been a great experience,” she says.

Designer Narendra Kumar Ahmed shrugs it off saying, “It may not be an era of supermodels, but it’s the same case in the West. In any case, the newer models are getting better and slowly, the old ones will be pushed away.”