People
No, I’m Not A
Professional Model.
I’m A Taxi Driver
RAY A. SMITH
On a recent Wednesday afternoon, yellow-cab driver Ajit Singh Bharth had just dropped off a passenger in Midtown Manhattan (New York City, USA) when he attracted some unusual notice.
“I knew that I had to catch that cab,” said Quinton Clemm, an account executive at upscale men’s fashion-label Eidos. “Luckily, two blocks later, the taxi caught the light at 55th and I was able to dodge traffic and hop in the back.”
Mr. Clemm was in hot pursuit of more than just a ride. He was struck by the “older gentleman” with “gold-rimmed, aviator-style bifocals, a tan spread-collar shirt, with an awesome, full, white beard.”
Once in the car, he offered the 62-year-old cabby an opportunity most people only dream about: Would he be willing to model in a fashion show?
Ajit Singh was surprised. “But I said ‘OK, it will be a new experience in my life.’ ”
The next morning, he made his runway debut at Men’s Fashion Week in New York.
For male models, the unconventional -and the non-professional - is in. A number of fashion houses are seeking rough-hewed, quirky faces that are more character actor than Hollywood idol.
In Milan, the high-end fashion label Etro, known for its bold prints, sent an interior designer, a film director and a broker down the runway.
“The days of classic beauty are over,” said Taylor Hendrich, director of men and celebrity at Wilhelmina, a modeling agency based in New York. “You have to be really special.”
The aim is to appear more authentic in order to resonate with a wider audience of shoppers. That means looking beyond the skinny, boyish teens and the square-jawed hunks that have long dominated the runways.
Even heavyset is hip. IMG Models, one of the world’s largest agencies, launched a division called “Brawn” for plus-size male models earlier this year. In search of fresh faces, fashion labels are looking to the street, and Instagram, for talent.
For the Eidos presentation, which focused on the rich textile traditions of the subcontinent, designer Antonio Ciongoli felt it was important to cast people from the culture to present the clothes in a respectful way.
Ajit Singh, the cabby, tried to avoid direct eye contact with fashion editor guests for more than an hour.
“I enjoyed it,” said the driver, who went right back on duty after the show.
[Courtesy: The Wall Street Journal. Edited for sikhchic.com]
August 1, 2016