Marc-ed with a difference

Mona

Marc has a Midas touch, is what are certain of after spending considerable time this weekend at the Regional Casting of Elite Model Look India 2015 at Max, Elante. One could see the former model, now fashion director Marc Robinson who recently helmed India Bridal Fashion Week, in his true elements. As the six feet plus guys took to ramp, here was this model connoisseur, whose one tip on how to stand or stare made the wannabe models transform to stage scorchers right before us. Leaving the judge’s chair he walked up to the makeshift stage, every so often to ruffle hair of a contestant, turn the face of the other a little on the side as his silent, efficient team clicked pictures and presented ever so quietly on his table.

Ramps across the globe

Licensee Elite Model Look India, Marc was in Chandigarh to hunt for models to represent India internationally. While the short listed boys sure had abs to die for, the agency ran out of luck as they couldn’t find any girls who met the high criteria set for the auditions. Surprised Marc shared, “After girls dominating the fashion scene in our country for decades, it’s only recently that the industry has opened to boys and weare getting overwhelming response. I was expecting a great response for girls too from this region; I am pretty disappointed at the outcome.”

The standards get higher

Now that Elite sends models to contest in international arena that translates to height 5.7 for girls, six plus for boys and age between 16 to 22. “In addition to these two benchmarks, one needs to look uniquely different and that’s about it, the world is yours to conquer.” The top five models in this contest get two thousand euros. India and international standards differ considerably. “Internationally, the models are 13 or 14 and here in India we start at that and just don’t move on,” he laughs. “I admit our sensibilities as a nation are different but we are very adaptable too is what I was trying to sell.”

As the years go by

Marc’s been director for beauty pageants for years now but no, he isn’t tired of it. “I love it, every bit of it. The models, fashion, travelling and shopping,” he avers. In fact, he is such a shopaholic that he can shop at a grocery store for hours too. From the fashion streets of Mumbai to Champs-Élysées, Paris, he is equally comfortable indulging in his passion. But, yes, much of the bags he carries home have stuff for his wife and daughters.

mona@tribunemail.com