A Message to Nevis Models By R. Harding

It seems to me that fashion shows here are greatly misinterpreted by the general public, the organizers, and the models that walk the runways. If my memory serves me, when I began modeling in Nevis some ten-plus years ago, any event which contained people displaying clothes on stage for a crowd was referred to as a “Modeling Show” or even a “Modeler Show” (and for the sake of my sanity, let me just insert a short English lesson -- a modeler is someone who makes 3D, scaled re-creations of inanimate objects, not someone who walks on a stage displaying clothes.). Correct me if I am wrong, but I still hear many people on Nevis call it either of the just mentioned names today. This is the basis of the problem, and the root of my irritation. Just as a child who is called unintelligent by enough people, enough times, grows up believing he is just that, fashion shows here have been limited by mislabeling. Referring to them as a modeling show highlights a vital part of the event, yes, but not the most essential. In my opinion, a bunch of girls showing up at a venue and walking around, to music, in the clothes they arrived in is a dancehall fete, not a show. Without clothes for the models to wear there is nothing to show, so there is no show.

When I began modeling, a major part of my training was the undeniable fact that models, though very important at fashion shows, were just paid, moving, 3D clothing hangers. In my day, and as it still is, a model’s duty is to arrive to the venue punctually, to be professional at all times and to put on whatever the makeup artist, designer, or store owner decided we were going to wear on stage, without question; then to go on the runway and sell that outfit with the knowledge that even if, personally, the outfit was thought to be hideous and uncomfortable, the designer, and most importantly the crowd, would have thought it was the garment I was born to wear. Modeling was, and is, to be treated like any other job. You show up on time, you have whatever tools you are required to bring yourself, you do the job you are being paid to do, and you go home when its all done knowing you did your job to the best of your abilities. I remember even wanting to hear from designers about which pieces they sold, and feeling somewhat disappointed in myself if nothing I wore was among them.

Oh, but not with some of the models in Nevis today. No, they have come to believe they are Divas, and act as such. They show up late to events and stroll in popping gum, chatting on cells, and shuttling in and out of the dressing room to see a friend outside. Some have even been known to show up without their shoes, which in most cases are the only things they are required to bring themselves. Finally, after being coaxed off of their phone and into the makeup chair, they begin complaining because they don’t like the makeup. Then, they make their way to the designer and inform them that they hate the colour/fit/style of the pieces they have been asked to model. To add insult to injury, they either decide they won’t be going on the stage (which I personally would have informed them they would not be doing about 10 minutes earlier) or they sulk onto it, determined to let every last person in the audience know they hate everything they were forced to wear.

To them I want to say, the only models who currently have any minor right to have a Diva attitude are being paid so many extra zeros on their paycheques per show that they always arrive early and smile broadly, even as mud is splattered across their faces instead of makeup, and the designer for the night is HEFTY®, showing their new line of extra-heavy duty garbage bags. Truth be told, most of these highly-paid models have attained elite status not because of God (or surgeon) given looks, but because of their high standard of professionalism way before the big cheques. And not one of these models lives, resides, or does shows in Nevis. (Yet!)

I think it is so sad to see that these girls think they have reached their peak doing small-scale fashion shows and sideshow fashion segments; that they actually believe that they are the best it gets, though never having modeled outside of the Federation. Honestly, even some of the models who visit Nevis from St. Kitts put a lot of the models here to shame. I can’t speak to the general behavior of models in St. Kitts, because it’s been years since I have had any real involvement with fashion on the sister isle, but Nevisian models have a rude awaking coming to them. How do they expect to handle the extreme requirements of weird shoes, fashion, and makeup of international designers if they can’t deal with the simple (in comparison) whims of our local ones? My advice is they snap out of this Diva-ness, because I have seen designers getting more and more imaginative when it comes to dealing with (or rather avoiding) the model issue. I have seen an international show where literal hangers moved up and down on a conveyor belt above the runway displaying clothes. Although in that show there were a few models also gracing the stage, taking pieces off of hangers and throwing them on, it seemed that the hangers were the centre of attention. In another show a designer used mannequins. Designers everywhere seem fed up with model drama and undependability. And it would be very sad if a model scout were to come here and see the rough, but promising, talent I witness here at almost every show only to be turned away by bad attitudes and unprofessionalism.

Now, don’t get me wrong, the models aren’t the only problem I have with fashion shows here. It is just that I find I have to rein in my ranting, or I can’t go on for the day. So next time I will tell you what else needs a talking to!

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