Models with zing

THE SECOND season of Lakme Fashion Week model auditions in Dubai show that the city is gradually becoming a source of quality international models, according to the event's organisers.

However the leading fashion week's show director Marc Robinson said Dubai's modelling industry still has a long way to go and is evidently in need of a fashion school.

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About half a dozen girls were selected from more than 100 who auditioned at the Taj Palace on February 10 and 11, to give Lakme Fashion Week an international flavour.

“The quality has improved over the last two years,” Robinson said.

“But the packaging is still not there. The girls don't have the walk, the attitude and the turnout. They need to get a lot more professional.”

Robinson said there were a lot of beautiful girls in Dubai but they lacked professional development.

Too often the models predominantly find themselves doing promotional work rather than catwalks, according to Robinson.

“The quality of shows here leave a lot to be desired,” he pointed out.

“The best (models) have had training elsewhere and are in transition in Dubai or are girls from Dubai's sister agencies.

'I really believe Dubai does offer a lot of talent but it needs to be moulded.”

Robinson, however, added that Dubai does offer some fresh faces for Lakme Fashion Week which encouraged the organisers to return for castings for a second season.

“Lakme believes in freshness and newness,” he said.

“We need a couple of international models who have that zing. It creates a stir.

“Last year we took five girls and we may take one or two of them back. If they were prepared to stay in India, they can be the next big thing over there.”

Lakme's Autumn Winter 2008 fashion week will take off in Mumbai, NCPA from March 29 to April 2, 2008.