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Young World
Attitude and aptitude
SAVITHA GAUTAM
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Are you keen on the glamour tag? Then modelling could be for you... Svetha Jaishankar talks on a career in modelling.
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"It's challenging. It's competitive. And it's hard work," says Svetha Jaishankar, the girl who put Chennai on the national modelling map. The tall and slim model has walked many a ramp for the past four and a half years working in tandem with top designers such as Manish Malhotra, Rina Dhaka and Rohit Bal. She was the runner-up at the Miss India-International contest held at Tokyo, and has been spotted in several ads such as Nestle and Satyam Online.
Quiz her about what an aspiring model needs to do to make it big and the Mumbai-based model pauses for a moment. Then she says, "To begin with, one must have the aptitude and the right attitude." She goes on, "Mumbai is the place to be if one wants to make it really big. It's the happening city when it comes to modelling. So one must be willing to move to the city."
Of course, there are a few basic requirements like possessing a pretty face and a slim body. The rest just falls into place, she remarks. The first step is to groom oneself... have a trendy hairstyle, get the figure into shipshape and collect a new wardrobe that suits one's personality.
The next thing is to get a portfolio done. This is where model co-ordinators come in handy, feels Svetha. "They are really helpful and advise one on which photographer to choose and so on. That done, one has to wait... for the right opportunity to knock on the door." The initial investment for one hoping for a career in modelling is about Rs. 25,000.
Svetha continues, "Once some big designers spot you, your career has taken off. Life is fun after that. The job requires one to travel a lot, which means one gets to see the world. And that widens one's perspective of life."
The most important part of the career is grooming oneself. "Eat healthy home-cooked food (avoid fried stuff), drink plenty of water, work out regularly, at least thrice a week (Svetha swims and walks on the treadmill) and use very little or ideally no make-up when you are not working," is Svetha's mantra. "Most important," she adds, "be careful whom you are working with. And keep in touch with people who will make a difference to your career."
What about the flip side of modelling? "Oh! It is tough, especially when you're a newcomer. Many a time, people just walk over you. But don't allow it to get to you. Be strong and move on, with determination," is her advice.
So, who's Svetha's favourite model? Pat comes the reply, "Mehr Jessia. She's an ethereal beauty!"
Svetha Jaishankar is the Chief Guest at The Hindu Young World Chennai Regional Quiz to be held on August 31.
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