Want to be a part of the India fashion week

Imagine having an exciting high-paying job as a professional male model. As a model you may have the opportunity to travel to beautiful locations, be pampered, attend events with celebrities, and earn thousands of dollars a day. Imagine working with top designers, or having your photo taken for Vogue or your favourite magazine.

However, being a male model doesn't mean getting a free ride to the best parties in town. It takes hard work, as well as long hours, and a little courage, to be a part of events like the India fashion week. That being said, breaking into the modelling industry as a male is a bit easier than it is for women, because male models don't have to meet the same rigid physical requirements all the time and can work for many years. -- Some of them working well into their fifties.

Meet the standards of top designers: Though male models have a bit more flexibility in terms of their looks than female models, there are still some general standards that you should meet if you want to be a male model. But if you don't meet all of these standards, don't be too discouraged; if you've really got "the look," then you may be able to work with top designers, even if you're below the average height or above the average weight for male models.

Get some exposure to get into India fashion week: It couldn't hurt to have your face out there and to have some modelling experience so you have something to point to when you approach agencies. Try to appear in local newspaper ads, TV shows, magazines, or even style shows. You might get the attention of the right people without even appealing to an agent directly, and this might lead to a future opportunity at events like the India fashion week. However, this does not mean that you should get absolutely any work you can. Remember that you're trying to build and maintain your image, so don't do something that is completely below your dignity, not taken by a real photographer, or which doesn't represent who you are at all.

Sign up with an agent to work with top designers: Once you've jumped through the hoops and found an agent who likes your look, it'll be time to sign your contract. Again, make sure the agent doesn't ask for any money up front. A real agent should only make money after he or she makes you money. And even if the agent seems legitimate, make sure you have an attorney go over the contract with you to ensure that you're making a fair agreement. When you're speaking with the agent, you can ask about any unions you're allowed to join and also ask if you can take modelling jobs on the side. If you've signed with a top agent and have a chance of making some serious money, you can also think about meeting with an accountant to talk about how you will track your earnings.

How to start working with top designers: Once you've signed with an agent, you will build your portfolio, which will help you get hired. The agencies will help you get the chance to go to modelling interviews, which are also known as go-sees. So, start going to the go-sees, act professional, and don't get frustrated if you don't get a gig right away. Have perseverance. You won't get into India fashion week on your first go-see, despite what you may hear.

Why the Lakme Fashion Week 2013 was so special

The world of fashion is large and ever growing. In a modern country like India, the fashion scene is up and coming and every new year brings about a new highlight to the Indian fashion scenario. There are a lot of fashion events lined up every year, but this year’s most dazzling event was the Lakme Fashion week 2013, which ended in the month of August where some of the best designers showcased their winter collection.

But there are a lot of fashion events that take place in the country and open to equal fanfare. For example, only a couple of months back, the Wills India Fashion Week took place but it did not grab so much as traction. Just like the dresses, the presentation of the show is another thing that matters.

Here are some ways in which the Lakme Fashion Week 2013 held on to people’s interests:

The Lakme Fashion Week 2013 had an influx of talent:

This year, the organizers decided to go for a move that was unheard of in the fashion industry. For this year’s fashion week, the showcasing designers comprised of both established artists as well as talented newcomers in equal measure. Normally, other fashion shows such as the India Fashion Week consists of old timers and a scant number of new comers. So, it came as something for many fashion critics to look forward thus, thus pulling in greater crowds.

Lakme Fashion Week 2013

The Lakme Fashion Week 2013 focused on Indian fabrics:

The theme for this year was designed around the concept of age old traditional Indian stitching methods. That is the reason why the Lakme Fashion week 2013 saw a large number of designs and patterns stitched using traditional Indian fabrics using ancient techniques. This was not only a visual treat, but also a good way to highlight the diverse nature of the country’s attire. Less of a CSR thing and more of an art practice, this concept caught on pretty well with most people.

India Fashion Week

There were a lot of new innovations showcased this time:

Another special thing about this year’s fashion week was the fact that it was not just new designs, but a lot of new fabrics and production techniques that acted as the highlight of the show. Innovations like the ‘ghagra print’, knitwear collections and a blend of new fabrics caught the attention of many serious buyers and this season opened up a realm to a lot of creativity in the otherwise standard pattern of winter wear. This also goes to show that it was a good decision to include newcomers.

The concept of ramp to sale:

Another new concept introduced this time included the idea of selling the designs on the spot. The moment a designer showcased his or her collections, interested buyers could move to the bay area and make a purchase on the spot in the many pop up stalls put up in the event space. This radical concept helped drive in more sales for the designers and better opportunities for the fashion lovers.

These are some of the reasons why this festival shone to fame this year. The Lakme Fashion Week 2013 bought in a lot of charm and more importantly, a lot of expectation from the festivals next summer edition.