If you haven’t over dosed on reality modelling series like America’s Next Top Model, or local offerings like Get Gorgeous and Kingfisher Calendar Hunt, make way for Fashion Drill—Model of Honour. Launched last week on Zoom, this real-ity series has 12 aspiring models (men and women) who will be guided by some big names in the fashion industry. Mentors include choreographer Alison Kanuga, photographer Subi Samuel and former supermodel, Nethra Raghuraman. Fashion Drill will not have elimination rounds and at the finale, a male and female model each will win contracts worth `5 lakh with TOABH, bikes from Yamaha and will also be a part of a special feature in Elle. Here’s what Samuel, a hit with Bollywood stars, who recently finished shooting promos of Gulaab Gang (starring Madhuri Dixit), has to say about the show:
I loved the concept and there is an inherent need to share my insight and experience. That excited me.
I look at the fitness level, enthusiasm and their awareness. I have seen that as time passes, a monotony creeps in with upstart models. I find out how they (the contestants) want to present themselves. Do they want to get into fashion or still photography? Accordingly, I share tips and what they need to work on.
We have organised fashion shows at dhobi ghats and construction sites, where you can’t imagine television cameras going. The visuals are stunning.We have done photoshoots with a deodorant brand, bikes and saris in an unimaginable fashion.
As a judge I am looking for someone who can stand apart with his personality, someone who has that extra something seen in good models like Madhu Sapre.
I have known Nethra Raghuraman from the time she entered the industry. So we (I, Alison and Nethra) got the whole house cracking up. There was no rivalry.
Karan Johar is my favourite host as he is extremely poised and has a great sense of humour and intelligence. I really like him.My favourite TV shows are Lost, Malgudi Days and 24.
Fashion Drill —Model of Honour airs Friday and Saturday on Zoom at 8.30 pm