Modeling emerges as a new career option For well-known as well as upcoming Nepali models, sky is the limit By Indra Adhikari This week dozens of Nepali models are getting into ramp for Sunsilk fashion week in the capital as part of their efforts to build career in what else but modeling. Thanks to regular fashion shows, increasing trends of beauty contests, advertisements, showrooms and music videos, modeling has emerged as a promising new career opportunity for Nepali youths. Namrata Shrestha. Namrata Shrestha. (Photo source : cybersansar.com) "Modeling has now become profession that can give sustenance for livelihood," says Namrata Shrestha, whom you may have seen at Krunz Alooz, kotex or many others advertisements. "If this sector grows at the same rate, it has the potential to provide employment to a large section of young people," she added. Whether it is the urge to look fashionable or the interest of young people to be seen in advertisements, fashion shows or hoarding boards make them crazier. Besides, it has become a source of earning for students who want to partially finance their higher studies. "This does not harm regular study since one needn't give much time in it. Physical fitness and good facial look are enough," said Abhinav Kasajoo of cybersansar.com—a popular website that has given break to a number of brand new models. "In fact, modeling can be the best profession for people with good looks irrespective of their education or intellectuality because this is associated with outer looks only," he added. Despite the conflict and slackness in the economy, modeling as a business has unexpectedly grown over the last one decade. Kasajoo feels the reason for this is growing openness in people. "In major cities of the country, people no more take modeling as an 'unsocial' event. It shows that conservatism and social dogmas have given way to new tastes of people," he adds. Agrees Namrata Shrestha, "Society should distinguish between glamour and vulgarity. I think modeling in Nepal is increasingly getting glamorous but we can't term it vulgar. This is in fact the demand of the time." Before www.cybersansar.com was introduced, advertisers had to look for models from a few agencies in the capital who had a roster of only a few models. "Our site contains dozens of snaps and can be accessed from anywhere. This has eased the method of selecting models," said Kasajoo. And, you can't think of modeling without fashion shows. Shailaja Adhikari, Managing Director of IEC Institute of Art and Fashion, the organizer of the Sunsilk fashion week, says fashion shows give wider space for models. Miss Tamang 2006 Zenisha Moktan, who hails from Kalimpong India, said modeling profession has been growing big with growing demand for models for music videos and other visual advertisements. "Family support and personal interest is necessary to go on with this profession," she added. "Be photogenic" is the mantra for aspiring models. This is more important in case female models compared to their male counterparts, say industry sources. The level of income is also a factor that attracts young people into this profession. A new entrant to this profession earns anywhere between 5,000 to 10,000 per month while for established models, it even goes up to Rs 50,000 a month, according to those who know the ins and outs of this business. "In this sense, this has become a good earning source for independent livelihood," adds Kasajoo. The growing attraction for modeling among youths has been that it also opens up door for other professions like air hostess, guest relations officers in big hotels and so on. Despite such prospects, experts say country doesn't have good infrastructure to support modeling. Neither are there adequate professional institutes nor any policy of the government to promote this promising sector. Even the leaders of the private sector seem to have failed to appreciate the contribution of modeling sector in promoting their products and services. In India, modeling has become a big business and an integral part of larger economic activity. It will be a long way to go for aspiring models in Nepal to get similar financial clout or glamour.