From Manipur to Mumbai: Model Job

 A journey from Manipur to Mumbai in search of modelling job

 A YOUNG and beautiful girl, who came across many struggles, landed in a mega city from a distant corner of India’s northeast. Fashion companies, advertisement gurus, directors or producers have many a times robed her in various photoshoots for garments. The young model is all daylong busy in posing and cheerfully smiling before the lenses for clients like Spykar Jeans and Killer Jeans. Besides, she also goes for catalogues, glamour, lingerie, nighty, and semi-bikini shoots.

The young model hails from a small locality known as Lamka in Churachandpur district of Manipur. She is, TC Grace, the second eldest among the five siblings of three sisters and two brothers. Born and brought up by her dad, a former BSF soldier and her mom, a sincere clerk, she passed Class X from Royal Academy, Lamka in 2003 and XII from TG Hr Sec School, Imphal in 2005. Soon after XII exam she underwent three months training on hair and beauty in Imphal. After learning the beauty tips, she opened Grace Saloon in her hometown in July 2005. But in Feb 2006 she closed the saloon and moved to Mumbai in March 2006 in search of better job opportunity. Since then she stays here in Mumbai, looking fine and elegant. Come Dec 9, she’ll blow off 26 candles. Our correspondent, Bruce K. Thangkhal, caught up with TC Grace. 

Here is a tete-a-tete with this lovely hardworking model.

 

Tell us something about yourself?

TCG: I was born and brought up in Lamka and completed my higher secondary at Imphal. In order to explore my interest, I was trained as a hair-dresser and stylist.  I then opened my own saloon. To pursue a better career, I moved to Mumbai as a hair dresser with a curiosity to unlearn and relearn what I have gained over the years as a hair-dresser and stylist. Subsequently after gaining confidence and foreseeing the prospect to move on beyond hair dressing, I began to create my space in modeling industry.    

 

When and why do you choose modeling?

TCG: I was encouraged by one of my senior colleagues. So I chose modeling in 2011. Over the years, I’ve realized modeling is not just a product but an arousal of self-creativity to achieve the goal.

 

What was your first job in Mumbai?

TCG: My first job in Mumbai was as a hair dresser at L’Oreal Color Café (Hair & Beauty), Bandra West.

 

How do you manage yourself in this expensive city?

TCG: Expensive city J[Smilingly]!! I must say, a concept of being in an expensive city and managing self is relative. However it is subjected to one’s personality in how leisurely you’d spend the fruit of your hardwork, that’s how much you can earn as an individual. In a nutshell, I’d say, it’s the innate habit of saving a little.     

What are the main criteria for modeling? How should one prepare?

TCG: As we all know, there are several types of modeling and so are varied criteria which are subjected to the director, producer or advertisement agencies.  Currently, I’m for commercial modeling, where one must be between 5’4’’–5’11’’ in height with an average body measurement of 32–24–34.  The secret of modeling is not being perfect, however one needs a face that people can identify in a second and bring each time something new. One must focus on creativity and representation which is the vital component for this job.

 

Describe your experience while facing the camera?

TCG: To be brief, I’d say keep shooting, it helps you to gain confidence where flashing strobes are like applause.

 

Share us some observations you made in your profession?

TCG: Major learning for me as a model is that you go to do a different job every day. You’re working with a completely new team and ought to learn how to talk to people and how to creatively achieve the same goals. In other words, it’s just about horning your skills.  This evolves from what is expected from you; a shoot (assignment) for your portfolio, what and how you wear, building networks of trusted agencies and friends that will recommend you for shoots, mentor you, and the skills to communicate and strike a deal.

 

What should be kept in mind while pursuing modeling?

TCG: In the context of modeling, the ability to acknowledge one’s potential, capacity and skill-set, and utilise the same to tap the right clients who could be a director, Ad agencies or others is very much important. For a commercial model in Mumbai (referring to tapping the potential clients), there are several agencies that require a different look (as mongoloids) of yours other than the Indian looks (Dravidians/Aryans) for their specific clientele. This has been the Unique Selling Point (USP) to which one should build over and over.       

Have you ever face any difficulties in your profession?

TCG: I often see difficulties as a challenge. And yes, I faced many challenges in my initial days of modeling. Gaining and developing a confidence has been a challenge as the flashing strobes hasn’t turned out to be like applause, but the applause for my discouragement.  And yet, overcoming the same has been a challenge all over, and the moment of acknowledgement of these challenges makes me realized that I have turned my own challenges into positive gains (say for confidence and a broader approach towards the profession).

 

Some parents have negative mindset towards modeling profession. How do you feel?

TCG: Rather, most of our parents have negative mindset in this profession. I also understand that this has evolved from our innate societal values and norms.  Normally I don’t react to them nor feel bad as I know I’m doing my best. Living in a world of choices (one or the other), I simply understand parent’s emotions but pursue what is closest to my heart.

 

Is modeling suitable for Northeast girls? 

TCG: Over three years into this profession, I’d say that any profession is suitable for Northeast girls.

 

Do you feel the necessity of having fashion or modeling institutes in the northeast regions?

TCG: As the NE states continue to sail with the development of the larger world, I do feel the need to introduce fashion or modeling institutes in the NE states so that many young talented boys and girls could get better trainings and absorbed in various industries.

 

What is your hobby?

TCG: My hobby is dancing.

 

Who is your favorite person?

TCG: None, other than my beloved parents.

 

What is your plan for the future?

TCG: In pursuance of my interest, I’m looking forward for opening a Hair & Beauty Saloon or a Modeling Institute or a Studio for modeling. I wish my dreams come true.

What is your advice for our readers?

TCG: For some of us, modeling could be of glamour, sexy and lucrative.  But if we happen to be drifted by these phenomena, we ought to change the path of our profession. More so, in this extremely competitive industry, one can be left out with scores of rejection unless we take precautions at the right moment.  

~ Bruce K. Thangkhal    

KHALVONTAWI ONLINE

 

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