Do you know how to strut on the ramp without heels?

CHENNAI: It was 1999. She was 17, and had walked the ramp for the first time. She was so good that she was among the finalists in the ‘Look of the Year’ contest. After that, she became one of the sought-after models in the country, especially with shows like the Lakme Fashion Week, Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week, and even Inter National Institute of Fashion Design Show. In the city to conduct a two-day workshop on modelling and personality development, Alesia Raut talks to CE about the workshop, her experience and more.

The camp will look at perfecting the right techniques of walking, posing, and even eye contact. “We will first teach participants the basics of walking, especially without heels. There are positions they should remember on the ramp — the head ramp, mid ramp, entry and exit — these are important,” she explains. “Once they have perfected this, we move to walking with heels, as most people take time to balance on heels.”

As audiences, we are often impressed with the confidence models have on the ramp. Is that part of grooming too? “Yes...at least some of it! Being confident really plays an important role in modelling, especially when walking the ramp. Even if you are scared inside, you should not show it in your eyes. The brownie point while walking is — eye contact, expressing your confidence through your eyes.”  

Do models really need to be size zero, or is that just another misconception? “There is no concept of size zero in India. We have size six to eight which is the ideal size on ramp. To be a model, you don’t have to be thin or skinny, you need to be fit and healthy. Being tall gives you an edge, because then you can carry the dress in a better way,” she points out.

Ask her about what she thinks about the city in terms of fashion and she says carefully, “Chennai does have quite a lot of talent to offer, but it is not a fashion hub like Mumbai.” She has plenty of advice and suggestions for aspiring models. “Modelling is a creative profession. So if you have an attitude that you know it all, you will not evolve. Don’t react, but respond to situations. This is a short-term career. So finish your education, so that you have an additional source of income. Stay humble and keep your parents in loop about what’s happening in the profession,” she shares.

Alesia and Anjali Raut’s Model Bootcamp will be held on Sep 26 and 27.
For details, call 7397242225