"Even a fully clothed woman can look sexy," says model Andra Patar from Assam
Photograph: Rajesh Karkera/Rediff.com
She is 5'7". But she still calls herself short.
Andra Patar from the Tiva tribe in Assam, who made her debut at the Lakme Fashion Week, discusses her style mantra and career struggles to become a model with Anita Aikara/Rediff.com.
Background
No one in my family have ever been part of the fashion industry. Instead they don't even know what it is to be a part of it.
I come from a tribal village in a remote area of Assam, where people have never become or even thought of becoming a model. At school I was the tallest. Hence many of my friends suggested that I become a model and walk the ramp.
But when I started going for auditions I was rejected as people want models with sharp features and height. That's is where I lost out.
From Assam you will rarely see models. But this time we got lucky as Lakme gave us the rare opportunity. There was an audition in Assam, where two finalists were chosen. Another eight models got a chance to walk the ramp at the Lakme Fashion Week for the Made in Assam collection.
I can't tell you how happy I am that at least North East is getting mentioned at the fashion week.
Career Struggles
I gave the first audition for Lakme in Mumbai. But didn't get selected due to the height criteria. So I was disheartened. I felt low when I saw the other participants. The girls there were 6'1", 5'10", 5'8", etc. And I was just 5'7". I was the shortest.
I felt so ashamed and thought why did I come to Lakme with such short height. Then during the Lakme Guhwati auditions, I went thinking that as there won't many tall contestants I will get my green card.
I don't have friends or family in the fashion industry and I wasn't aware when the auditions were happening. But thankfully at the last minute I got to know of it and went for the auditions. But I didn't get selected among the two finalists.
They announced that another eight girls will get to walk at the Made in Assam show. I was one of them.
Parent Support
My parents are supportive. But often they ask me how long I will be a model. Once I get old, they tell me, I won't be able to do modelling. But I think that I want to make a career out of modeling and don't want to give up so easily.
Advice for aspiring models
Don't give up. Lakme has opened the doors for plus size models. I wish they allow short models to participate too.
We all dream to walk the runway at Lakme Fashion Week and I don't think it is fair that we are not given a chance due to the height requirements.
At least women whose height is 5'6" should also be allowed to compete.
Clothes can be worn by all. So why not for short models.
Girls from the North East are not really that tall and the height requirement works against us.
Opening doors in fashion for North East is very rich culturally. There are different tribes and you will get to see so many variations in designs and clothes. People are of the opinion that the North East is a far off place where terrorist attacks happen. But that's far from the truth.
The clothes and designs there need to get attention.
Handloom making a comeback
The weavers in Assam are very creative. They weave their own designs. But as this is handwoven it takes a lot of time unlike machine-made clothes. And it is awesome that the work of these artisans is getting recognised.
Such efforts will only ensure that the art is kept alive.
Style Mantra
People just blindly follow a trend. Just because you want to be seen as stylish doesn't mean that you wear something that is uncomfortable.
Follow the trend but wear something that suits you.
Just by wearing revelaing clothes you don't look sexy. Even a fully clothed woman can look sexy.
Fitness
It is a challenge and is not so simple. When I eat, I do gain weight. So I need to work out regularly.
Also I watch what I eat. I don't consumer carbs and sweets.
I carry dry fruits in my bag and whenever possible I have fruits.
I cheat on the weekends and have a pizza but then I workout extra during the week.
Monsoon Tips
How you wear your hair in the monsoon doesn't really matter because even if it is a bad hair day you can just tie a messy pony.
For clothes you can always wear shorts with boots as they look extremely stylish.
Throw a shrug over your shoulder and you are ready.
What Next?
I have decided that if I can't work for Lakme next year, I will keep trying and walk for such fashion shows.
Sometimes I get desparate to add a few inches to my height just to fit the criteria. But then I know I have to be strong.
I have now got experience of how to walk a fashion week.
Lakme Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2016: Full Coverage
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