Rehab for models

Glamour queens of the modelling world, as portrayed by movies like Fashion, have a very short ramp life.

Glamour queens of the modelling world, as portrayed by movies like Fashion, have a very short ramp life. Often, experienced models who are much in demand today get overshadowed by new, younger faces, leading to depression, anxiety and uncertainty about their future.

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They have reason to cheer now, with Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) planning to initiate the first ever ‘Model Rehab’ programme in the country. As part of the programme, FDCI will help models who have lost out on work re-establish themselves, get better agents representing their interests, find alternative careers like choreography or training younger models.

Confirming the news, Sunil Sethi, President, FDCI, said, “During a recent meeting of the board and management, this idea was proposed as one of the CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) activities that we must work towards.” The programme is likely to be fully implemented around the Spring Fashion Week in March this year.

Fashion Designer Rina Dhaka, who had originally suggested the idea said, “Models, both male and female, face many trying circumstances. Through this rehab programme, we want to help the modelling fraternity grow.”

As for the financial implications of such an initiative, Dhaka said, “We will sit with model representatives to discuss what we can do within our budgetary limitations.”