TIPS FOR ASPIRING FASHION MODELS

by The Indian Zeus, posted in Lifestyle, modeling

I started my modeling career after I crossed 50, accidentally and not by design.

Not having any prior experience nor knowledge about this industry, I made a few wrong decisions initially. I paid show organisers money to walk at fashion shows! I was under the impression that, may be, this is how this industry functions. I thought this is the ‘investment’ needed to get experience and grow. After all, why would someone ‘hire’ an inexperienced person like me to walk at their shows? And it turns out that a LOT of aspiring models also get easily sucked into this game, of paying to walk and model! After all its showbiz and promises fame and glamor, isnt it.

Despite a few mistakes I made earlier, I did meet with success eventually.

But I consider myself as lucky – lucky to have met and befriend a few super models who selflessly guided me how to navigate my journey going forward, lucky to be genetically gifted (tall, lean built and long hair) and lucky to have been at the right place at the right time which helped me to establish my presence in the Indian fashion circles. But not many may be as lucky as me and I know several aspiring models who continue paying designers and show organisers money, lured by false promises of fame and success at some point in time.

A lot of my Instagram followers ask me for tips to start their modelling career and how to become a successful model.

While I try to reply to each one of them separately, I thought it would be nice to collate my thoughts on the same (based on my experience and learnings so far) for easier public access. While at it, I need to remind the audience that modelling (just like any other career) can be time consuming and there are NO shortcuts. One needs to be patient, focussed and consistent in their efforts.

As a first, STOP paying anyone (for walks, designer shoots, portfolio shoots etc). Remember, as a model, you need to get paid for your time and efforts and not the other way around.

Then follow these simple steps while you begin your modeling journey:

Identify your target audience – Designers, models, show directors, photographers, stylists, general public, fashion media, show organisers, talent management agencies etc. Remember these will be the audience who’s attention you need to catch.

Find your niche / strength area – Understand some things clearly. Modeling, just like any other industry, is extremely competitive and has a relatively shorter shelf life for a model. That makes it important for you to figure out how you differentiate yourself from the rest. Remember, there will always be many better looking, leaner, fitter models out there. Why would any designer choose you over them? Would your posing skills make you more noticeable? Or a unique walk style that catches the attention of the audience on a runway? Or a differentiated look you have managed to create for yourself?

Build a Instagram profile – An Instagram profile serves as a resume in the modelling world. So build your profile carefully. Your insta bio should clearly reflect your areas of interest / strengths ie. a fashion model, an artist etc. Keep the page decluttered and post ONLY the content (posts and reels) that showcase your niche. Avoid posting irrelevant content. Once you post, you have no control on the reach of your content and you may not want to confuse visitors on your page.

Start following relevant target audience on social media –

Follow fashion designers – Can you claim to be a fashion model without knowing who the top designers in your country are, to start with? Start following top designers so that you get an idea of their couture style (haute couture, luxury fashion, ethnic wear, indo-western wear, street wear, androgenous etc), the kind of models they usually shoot with, the shows they participate in (if at all), the way they shoot their campaigns etc. This will help you understand the fashion design circuit.

Follow established fashion models – Super models have established themselves because of a reason and you can learn a lot from them. Understand how they pose, how they walk the runway, how they conduct themselves, what kind of footwear they use to complement their attire, their diet, their discipline, their workouts etc. Check out the profile of their followers as well as who they, in turn, follow. This will give you a lot of information about your potential target audience and who you may need to follow.

Follow fashion media – The media circuit comprise of fashion magazines, fashion bloggers, fashion journalists etc. Following them would not only help you stay updated on current and future fashion trends but will also help you get insights on their content (what they write on), their style of writing etc.

Follow photography community pages – Doing this will help you to understand how to click better pics, by yourself, even with your smartphone. Right from the exposure, to lighting, to focus, to shutter speed, one can learn to become a better photographer by simply going thru the content on these pages and practising it real time.

Start posting hi-quality content (pictures and reels) of yourself – For doing so, one need not necessarily rely on expensive DSLR cameras or professional photographers. Learn how to capture self-portraits as it will help you to capture your pictures when you are by yourself. Now that you have a better idea of how to pose (learnt from senior models you follow) and how to get better pics clicked (learnt from photography community pages you follow), get hi-resolution photos  and videos clicked, with different attires and at different locations you come across. Uploading such hi-resolution images and reels, on your Instagram feed, will help your target audience clearly understand how confidently you carry different attire, styling and your body language. Who knows which of these pics / reels manage to grab the attention of the right audience and make them approach you, isnt it?

Invest in yourself and your skills –

Invest on your appearance – Maintain a proper grooming and skincare routine. Be mindful of the outfits you choose to wear and how you are stlying them, irrespective of whether you are at your workplace, out at a social gathering or for a formal dinner. Incorporate style and fashion, in your daily routine, to get that habit instilled in you. Mind you, being stylish doesn’t necessarily imply draining your wallet. There are many economic / affordable , yet stylish, alternatives available. You should just be aware of what clothes your body type can carry and how you can make them look stylish on you.

Invest in your physical fitness – You need to find time to do some kind of physical activity, every single day. It could be working out at the gym, yoga, swimming, running, pilates or anything else that you think you can do consistently. Consistency is the key here. Fashion shows, shoots etc can be painfully long and one needs to be physically and mentally fit to maintain the same level of energy thru the day/s. That doing these physical activities regularly will make you look more attractive is a given.

Seek a mentor – Mentors, obviously seasoned professionals in the modelling industry, will help and guide you by sharing their experience, knowledge and skills. By learning from those who have already established themselves would only act as a catalyst and accelerate the pace of your journey in this industry.

Prepare your Polaroids and Compcard –

Polaroids are digital photos that show the model as natural as possible, in different angles, that lets your target audience know how authentic you look without any makeup or hairstyling.

Compcard (Composite Card), on the other hand, is like a model’s resume. It ideally consists the model’s basic information like name, age, key measurements, work experience (fashion shows, commercials, shoots etc that you may have done before) they may have done and few photos (1 portrait shot, 1 half body shot, 1 full body shot and 1 action shot) to showcase the model.

 

And yes, practise, practise and practise –

Keep posing in front of the mirror, with different outfits and while using different props. Walk, in front of a mirror, to figure the pace and walking style that would suit different types of outfits you wear while shooting your walk. How else will you perfect your skills (posing, walking etc)?

Once you are consistent with all of the above steps, you never know which of your posts / reels will help build engagement with relevant fashion designers / show organisers or anyone else from your target audience.

Mind you, this is not a comprehensive list. These are just the few steps, based on my personal experience, that would help aspiring models to kick start their journey in the modelling industry.

How I Found Liberation and Embraced Living After 50

by The Indian Zeus, posted in Lifestyle

Life after 50 is often portrayed as a time of slowing down, of settling into routines, and perhaps even accepting limitations.

But it was the other way around for me.

Hitting the half-century mark was a catalyst for a remarkable transformation, enabling me to do things I hadn’t even imagined doing when I was younger. It was the moment I decided to break free from the constraints I had unwillingly imposed upon myself and truly start living.

It all started with a simple, yet significant, decision I took at the age of 50.

Over the years, the PR teams of consumer companies have worked overtime, successfully manipulating us buying into their narratives. We need to understand that their cash registers will keep ringing as long as they keep their consumers constantly worried over factors like height, body type, skin color, hair color, age etc. Any wonder why there are magical solutions offered to those who are dark or short in height or to those not figurette or sporting a six-pack body. Anyone sporting gray hair is perceived to being ‘old’, ‘aged’, ‘inferior’, ‘retired’, ‘uncool’ etc. Caught up in this trap myself, I used to diligently get my hair dyed in an attempt to defy the inevitable signs of aging. However, i could not shake off the feeling of ‘unauthenticity’ that accompanied everytime i got my hair dyed. It was in that moment of reflection that i took a bold decision to stop getting my hair dyed and embrace my natural look.

Little did I imagine how taking that one small step would completely alter my life. As I started embracing my authentic self, I exuded a newfound confidence that caught the attention of casting directors and talent management agencies alike. And before I realised, I had ventured into the world of high fashion modeling, doing campaign shoots, appearing in commercials and auditioning for the big screen! It was a dream I had long dismissed as being out of reach, reserved for the young and conventionally handsome. But as I stood at the threshold of a new decade, I realized that there was no expiration date on pursuing one’s passions.

The shift wasn’t just external; it was a profound internal change.

By letting go of the need to conform to society’s standards, I seemed to have tapped into a sense of liberation and self-acceptance. Stepping into the world of modeling was daunting at first. I was surrounded by individuals half my age, with years of experience behind them. Yet, I soon discovered that age brought with it a sense of confidence and authenticity that set me apart. Instead of trying to fit into a mold, I embraced my uniqueness, celebrating the lines on my face and the stories they told. Soon, it became a symbol of my newfound liberation. With each photoshoot and runway strut, I challenged societal norms and defied expectations. I was proof that beauty knows no age, and that confidence is the most captivating accessory of all.

No longer shackled by the pressures of fitting into a predetermined mold, I started confronting my fears head-on. For instance, determined to overcome my fear of heights, I embarked on daring adventures like paragliding 5000 feet above the ground and experiencing Asia’s longest and steepest zipline in Nepal. With each adrenaline-pumping experience, I discovered a newfound sense of freedom and exhilaration, proving to myself (and my community) that age is no barrier to conquering fears.

Paragliding in Pokhara

Life after 50 isn’t about slowing down; it’s about seizing every opportunity with gusto. It’s about embracing the wrinkles and gray hairs as badges of honor, symbols of a life well-lived. It’s about stepping out of your comfort zone and into the fullness of your potential.

So to anyone who thinks life after 50 is a time of decline, I say this: It’s never too late to start living. Whether you’re chasing dreams you thought were out of reach or facing fears you’ve long avoided, the best chapter of your life may just be beginning. Embrace it with open arms, and watch as your world transforms in ways you never thought possible.

Stop Existing, Start Living

Yes, Life Begins at Forty

by The Indian Zeus, posted in Lifestyle

Entering the fourth decade of life often triggers a spectrum of emotions. Some dread it, associating it with aging and a supposed decline in vitality. However, contrary to such misconceptions, turning forty signifies the beginning of a new chapter, a phase ripe with opportunities, growth, and a deeper sense of self-awareness.

Here’s why life truly begins at forty:

  1. Accumulated Wisdom: By the time one reaches forty, they’ve experienced a significant portion of life’s ups and downs. These experiences, whether triumphs or tribulations, serve as invaluable lessons, fostering wisdom and resilience.
  2. Self-Discovery: The forties often herald a period of profound self-discovery. With youthful insecurities fading away, individuals become more comfortable in their own skin, embracing their authentic selves and pursuing endeavors aligned with their true passions.
  3. Career Confidence: Many individuals hit their professional stride in their forties. With years of experience under their belt, they often reach positions of leadership or embark on new career paths with a clarity of purpose and confidence.
  4. Personal Fulfillment: Midlife prompts a reevaluation of priorities. People start focusing more on personal fulfillment rather than societal expectations. Whether it’s pursuing long-held dreams, nurturing relationships, or prioritizing health and well-being, the forties become a time of intentional living.
  5. Embracing Change: Rather than fearing change, those in their forties often embrace it. Whether it’s a career shift, a new hobby, or a lifestyle overhaul, they recognize that change is not only inevitable but also enriching.

Celebrating life at midlife is essential for several reasons:

  • Gratitude: It’s an opportunity to reflect on the journey thus far and express gratitude for the experiences, relationships, and achievements accumulated over the years.
  • Milestone Achievement: Turning forty is a significant milestone worthy of celebration. It marks a transition into a phase of life characterized by newfound wisdom and personal growth.
  • Inspiration to Others: By celebrating midlife, individuals inspire others to embrace aging with grace and optimism. It shatters stereotypes associated with aging, promoting a more positive and inclusive societal narrative.
  • Community and Connection: Celebrating midlife brings people together, fostering a sense of community and connection. It allows friends and family to come together to honor and support each other’s journeys.
  • In essence, life truly begins at forty, offering a canvas ripe for exploration, self-expression, and meaningful connections. So let’s raise a toast to the beauty of midlife and the endless possibilities it holds.

Cheers to embracing the prime years with open arms! 🥂