The dark side of glitz and glam

Fair skin bias, sexual harassment and reneging on payments continue to haunt models. More often than not, aspiring models are being made puppets in the hands of designers while male models seem like children of lesser God

Fashion week is on. The models checked in to a famous star hotel, as early as 10 am. A dummy run was held at 12 noon, makeup and hair was done by 2 pm, dress trail at 5 pm and the show kicked off at 9 pm.

By the time a model reached her home, the date changed. Every model has to put in gruelling hours of work during the fashion weeks. In a typical day, they clock more than 11 hours.

Ben Stiller’s Derek Zoolander is wrong when he says, “Model has to be really, really, ridiculously good looking’. A glance into the life of the models tells us that there is more to the glamorous field than it meets the eye.

The path to the glitz and glam is fraught with unseen and untold issues. Apart from the gruelling number of work hours and the stereotypical struggle to fame, models have to contend with many issues like prejudices and harassments.

Becoming model isn’t a cake walk. “To become a model you need to be mentally strong and accept the flaws in yourself and work on them to make yourself better,” says Shilpi Sharma, an actress and a renowned model.

“Every model has to struggle before making a mark in the field. With models coming from different background, the struggle of each model is different and unique,” she adds.

Model turned actor Neha Dhupia says, “Models come from different economic backgrounds and have different issues to contend with. Those who have come from affluent background, have to struggle to convince their family members as in most cases, their foray is against the wishes of the family.

And those who aren’t from affluent society are always in fight with themselves to prove that they aren’t inferior. Irrespective of the back ground, every model struggles a lot just to fulfill their dreams and desires.”

The industry like many others isn’t free of prejudices and bias. Reneging on payment and bias for fair skin are haunting the field. “We are asked to walk the ramp but more often than not we are not paid. Even if we are paid, it is often much lesser than what was promised.

Bias towards fairer skin is making the life all the more difficult for models with dusky complexion. They find it extremely difficult to get modelling assignments,” says Tulika Charan, a model.

Another model under the condition of anonymity says that sexual harassment is quite common in this industry. “There are many people who look to exploit models. Aspiring models are the most targeted and once a model falls into their trap she becomes a puppet.

Every aspect of her professional life is remote-controlled. A model’s life is insecure until and unless they gain fame,” the model says. However, we do seldom see models coming out and voice against harassment. “Models do rarely approach us activists to speak about their plight.

They fear for career as more often than not they are blackmailed. I advice them to take the help of the ‘Woman Dignity And Modesty Act’ (Section 354 and 509 of the Indian Penal code) to fight back and get justice,” says Sandhya Valluripally, a social activist.

Even male models are subjected to sexual harassments. Groping and touching at inappropriate places under the pretext of adjusting dress is common. “A few designers misbehave with male models in the dressing room under the pretext of changing outfits,” says Sai Prasad Heerekar, a model, who was Mr Hyderabad 2013.

Apart from sexual harassment, male models are treated as children of lesser God. “Male models are chosen for fashion shows only if they are ready to work for free or a meagre amount. It is because of this experienced models do not get a chance to walk the ramp,” Heerekar adds.

We are asked to walk the ramp but more often than not we are not paid. Even if we are paid, it is often much lesser than what was promised. Bias towards fairer skin is making the life all the more difficult for models with dusky complexion. They find it extremely difficult to get modelling assignments
- Tulika Charan, a model

A few designers misbehave with male models in the dressing room under the pretext of changing outfits
- Sai Prasad Heerekar