Modeling's image for most people can be very flashy and intimidating. How can this profession seem anything else when it appears that what really counts here is more looks than skills?

The kinds of question likely to pop into your mind when you see these living mannequins are, "Is her attitude as sexy as her look? Is his brain as solid as his six packs? And is it as exciting *backstage' as it is on the runway?"

People have more of a chance to get a taste of what it's like to be a model these days because modeling agencies are booming; they are now a one-stop shop that goes beyond fashion, providing talent as actors in movies and sinetron, presenters, ushers and even for sales promotions.

With the benefits starting to be recognized by the public, it's no surprise that modeling is a stepping stone for those who want to dive into the fame pool. It's one of the most gamble-able professions: Nothing to lose by trying and definitely something to gain (if they're lucky).

In the 80s, there were only a few names that made it to local supermodeldom and regularly dominated fashion spreads and shows.

During the 90s, the modeling business got more serious, handled by local and franchised international modeling agencies. They took the girls selected "from flat to fab" in just one modeling course. Most models were taller than 175 centimeters and each sported her (or his) own unique look.

With even more demand today to use beauty to sell products, there are more people needed to do this job. Sadly, however, this business can "mix-and-match" modeling purposes, creating a situation more chaotic than professional.

When we do a fashion show, we need to work around the budget. A famous top model here can fetch up to Rp 5 million (US$416) for a show.

Surely it's not often we can afford that amount times 20 to 50, which is normally the standard number of models required for a fashion show. So that's when we need to mix them up with some "B-grade" models. It's really a game for the choreographer's eye to get the right composition among the models.

What often happens, models look dashingly unique and beautiful on their "com cards", but when they show up in reality there's a bit of a surprise.

A com card is a model's "passport", which sets out their photos and vital statistics, that modeling agencies send to their clients for a preview before the casting call. Thanks to high-tech Photoshop skills, now everyone can appear fierce on paper! Forget the physical remarks; girls no taller than 165 centimeters are now also trying to land a gig on the catwalk.

But what can be worse is the way they behave toward work. While most "A-grade" models are knowledgeable about fashion and know how to work different types of garment, this new batch of girls normally just knows how to wear them.

Sometimes they even refuse to wear certain types of revealing garments. Hello -- when you're a professional model you should have no problem with that!

Often the show rehearsal gets dragged down, as many models fail to pay attention and keep forgetting where they should walk. Worst of all is the lack of character that makes them look like dead fish on the catwalk.

Sometimes they leave me wondering why they even considered being models. I guess it's not just their height that needs some help, but also their appearance, attention and intelligence.

You may think to that be a model, it's enough to have an attractive physique, but the job demands more than just that. This is the field when personality comes in to boost the outer appearance.

Intelligence and concentration are also required to capture the right character for a photo shoot or to carry a certain attitude on the catwalk. And most importantly, a model must have the ability to work with other models and the choreographer.

Now, the trend in our modeling scene has shifted to Caucasian figures from east European countries such as Russia, Uzbekistan, the Czech Republic and Ukraine.

These models represent a better structure for our domestic market, with their international look, taller and slimmer figures, sharper cheek and jaw bones, increased expressiveness and fair skin that can be easily transformed by makeup.

They have started to fill every fashion page in magazines, and walk more runways too! The modeling agencies consider them a good investment, as in Asia their look can bring in several times the income as that of local models.

I remember that in Singapore about 10 years ago, Caucasian models started rapidly invading the modeling scene until no more than five top local Singapore models could keep going there. Most of the other models had to pack and go elsewhere, mainly to China, to rebuild their careers.

With the uneven quality in our local models, are we aware that this ku de ta (coup d'*tat) might happen in Indonesia as well?

We all know that the faces of international models can indeed jack up a product's exclusivity, giving its consumers more pride in the purchase.

I can picture a time, not so far from now, when our modeling scene will be filled with white faces as well. So, local models, you'd better get to work. Don't just work the pretty, but the quality too. And as for you modeling agencies, perhaps it's time to give our models some extra attention and education before they're swept away to "has-been sea" too soon?

--Diaz

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