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.

Monica Dogra is creating a buzz with her new fashion line

Every sub-industry in the media has a tendency to merge into one another and the tradition of celebrities foraying into fashion is nothing new. This happens in the west all the time, but one of the first Indian celebrities to launch their own fashion line is the very talented Monica Dogra. Starting her career as a musician, singer, model and actress, she is now focusing on launching designs that cater to the taste of the youth of the country. This line promises to be as unique as she herself is because it will be inspired by her life and her personality. 

In her own personal sense of style, Monica is known to be distinctive and unique. And this is how she wants the youth of the country to be as well, she believes that your style should reflect who you are and that is exactly how each aspect of your outfit should be. India has very few fashion designers who have lines that are meant for a niche audience and yet are affordable. Monica plans on launching not only a fashion line but also a line of cool and fun accessories. A complete package is what the line promises to be for individualistic young women all over the country.

When asked about what inspired her to launch the line, Monica says that she had a lot of people who appreciated the way she dressed and put things together to create a unique style. These compliments and attention gave her the idea to trust her own fashion instincts and put together a line for the young modern woman. She is inspired by the hip and funky styles of the street and also their affordability. These are the elements that Monica Dogra has picked up and has begun the work on her line.

The youth of today are not ones to be coy and quiet, they are expressive and have found numerous ways to expressing themselves, including through the way they dress. No color, cut, style and fashion is taboo and the youth love to experiment with their look unabashedly. And this is the pulse that the fashion designers of today pick up, including Monica. Thus, the youth of today not only express but also inspire. They are the perfect muses for artists and fashion designers the world over. Thanks to the experimental youth, there is a freedom to be quirky and eclectic in fashion.

Originally only asked to curate a fashion label, the hard working and passionate singer and actress decided to jump head on into the job and actually create the items of clothing herself. Fashion is an integral part of Monica’s life and she is paying homage to it in her own way. Offbeat and original are great ways of describing the kind of work that is expected from Monica Dogra, judging by her personal style and personality. Dogra’s line is one place where originality meets wearability and it promises to be one that excites fashionistas, especially the quirky and eclectic ones.