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Male to order
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FASHION Looks are not enough for a male model
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PHOTO: R.V. MOORTHY
MINORITY BRIGADE: Male models who are to participate in the LIFW.
Imagine starting the day with half a dozen raw eggs and ending the day's meal on the same note. Boiled chicken for lunch and boiled vegetables for dinner. Not to count the hours spent in the gymnasium.
Welcome to the world of a male model. Behind the so-called frivolous form there is sweat and toil. "You have to start early in life to build a long lasting body to take the stress involved," says Navneet Sharma, the Grasim Mr. Physique winner who has just made it to the Lakme India Fashion Week. Navneet says there are lots of supplements available in the market but their effect last only for two-three years. "After that in most cases body fluids drain off." He relates the case of fellow model and actor Amit Ralli who succumbed to jaundice during the shoot of Page 3.
It's expensive too. "I pay Rs.1500 for the gymnasium and Rs.5000 to the trainer. This is after I have become popular. When you start off you have to shell out much more. Once you make it to the circuit, gyms and trainers give you discount because they want to flaunt your name in their resume," adds Navneet.
In minority
On the flip side it's one world where the male is in minority. They are paid much less than their female contemporaries. Still the charm is irresistible. "Fashion particularly ramp modelling, has become female dominated in the last few years. There is much more scope for male models in print and television commercials and that's what I am looking for now," shares Sunny Arora who has made it to LIFW without any agency support. No male ego here? "Not really. This is the demand of the industry. These days not many fashion designers are making clothes for men. Also, with the increasing media exposure, the supply of male models is much more than the demand ," says Sunny.
Accepts Milind Soman but adds these days male models lack the charisma. "Audience look for a leader in a male model. With female models just beauty would do but with a male model too much grooming can hurt his cause. Here the whole personality counts. "
Industry sources say lack of demand for designer men's wear has a role to play but media's lack of enthusiasm for male form is also a reason for the extinction of male models from the ramp. No wonder only two designers would be showing all-men collection at this LIFW. Even Rohit Bal, who is known for his male collections during the Week, is coming up with a women's line this year.
ANUJ KUMAR
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