Giving the go by to an important fashion event slated for next week, Bangalore models will be in Chennai, walking the ramp for a fashion do. What gives?

While on the one hand, the city’s cover girls are upping and making their way to Mumbai, the demand for Bangalore models in cities like Hyderabad, Chennai and Kochi continues to be high. But why?

Flexibility of the models

That Bangalore is centrally located, well-connected and has a good market, could be a few reasons why models from the city get picked up. But the flexibility of these models in taking up offers is perhaps what helps them most in securing modelling assignments from other states. Chennai-based fashion choreographer Sunil Menon says, “Models from Bangalore are not as fussy as the ones from Delhi and Mumbai. They are not just practical and professional, but are alsosmart, well-behaved, and economical.”

Lack of opportunities in other cities

Bangalore offers more opportunities in terms of fashion as compared to the other southern states. Says Hyderabad-based designer Asmita Marwah, “It is not surprising that Hyderabad is not producing as many good models as Bangalore does. Hyderabad doesn’t have enough fashion events and when they do, they like to go for established names. There is not too much exposure in the city.” Sunil adds, “For fashion-related work, people always choose Bangalore, while for films it has to be Chennai or Hyderabad.”

Best grooming

Grooming is an important element that sets Bangalore models ahead of models from other cities. Fashion guru, Prasad Bidapa, who has been grooming models year after year, says, “Bangalore models set a great example, and fashion coordinators in the city market them well. So the opportunity is bound to be high. The problem with models from Mumbai and Delhi is their lack of grooming.”

Are other cities conservative?

There is no denying that Bangalore is more cosmopolitan than any other south Indian city. Asmita says, “Bangalore models being in such high demand may also have something to do with the fact that Hyderabad has a more conservative society than Bangalore.”

Budget and choreographer

The demand also depends on the budget and people involved with an event. Hyderabad-based model Reha Sukheja says, “The demand for models is not city-specific. A lot depends on the budget and the choreographer, who will opt for people he or she has worked with earlier and shares a good rapport with.” Sunil adds, “I’ve blocked a lot of models in the past because of their unprofessional behaviour. Bangalore models are a dream to work with and some of them are regulars in all my shows.”

Bangalore a fashion capital.

Bangalore can easily be considered the fashion capital of south India says choreographer Rahul Dev Shetty, “Bangalore is the melting pot of diverse cultures, not just for Indian cities, but foreign countries too. Since the style quotient is higher here, it motivates promising models from other cities to migrate here.”

Other cities not pushing hard enough?

Chennai-based model Rochelle Rao, who recently clinched the first runner-up title at the PFMI south contest, says, “Given that Chennai, Hyderabad and Kochi haven’t been pushing to find good models, the closest place to look for is Bangalore. Tagging yourself as a Bangalore model definitely ups your desirability and demand.”
taniya.talukdar@timesgroup.com

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> Fashion> Life & Style> Fashion / by Tanya Talukdar / TNN / July 21st, 2012