Model Kelly Dorji, who has been on the ramp for eight years, has started a modelling academy, the Suede Modelling Academy, for aspiring newcomers. For Rs 35,000, he promises to turn a novice into a professional in just a month. His panel of experts will train students in health and nutrition, hair, speech and diction, skin care, make up, physical fitness, style, photography, ramp, still and film modelling and contest training.
Says Kelly, "There are many pretty faces and good looking men. But people who need models will not waste time explaining what they want from a newcomer. The minute they realise you do not know the basics, they will use somebody else. We will provide that training."
His companion, former Miss Universe Lara Dutta, is also associated with the academy. The star of Andaaz will teach the wannabes models how to behave at contests. She feels the students will get their money's worth because the academy will also get them work after they complete the course. "We never had anything like this," she says. "We learnt on the job."
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Adds Kelly, "When an ad agency wants a particular kind of model, we will provide according to their requirements. There are fashion shows or beauty contests happening every week in some part of the country or the other. So there is a demand for our services. Modelling is a cut-throat business. There are three grades of models: A, B and C. We will supply A-grade models continuously. We plan to raise the standards of professional modelling."
The academy, which has an understanding with other agencies to train their models, has a capacity of 45 students at a time, in batches of 15.
At the end of the course, Kelly plans to have a party every month to introduce his models to the media and advertising world.
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