As a beginner, a model makes about R4,000 to R6,000 per show or shoot. After three to four years in the field, one might get R30,000 to R40,000 per show. Models working in TV commercials are paid around R10,000 to R20,000 per day. The money depends on your looks and body. A beautiful face on a well-toned body can command handsome money even if you are just a fresher.

6 A.M: Go to gym, or 1 hour of Yoga/Jogging. 9 A.M: Fresh fruits, porridge and juice for breakfast. 10 A.M: Fitting sessions with designers. 2 P.M: Rehearse for a fashion show. 6 P.M: Make up, Hair styling session. 8 P.M: Fashion show begins. 12 A.M: Back to home or head to an after-show party

• Hassle-free attitude.
• You should be able to wear both a sari and a bikini with ease.
• A confident personality.
• Good public relations.
• Basic knowledge of make-up/camera/trends.
• Drive to stay super-fit.
• Good communication skills.
• It takes much more than a pretty face and a great figure to climb the ladder of success in this profession.
• Right attitude and the right mix of genetics and personality play a big role in your journey to the ramp or magazine cover.
• You should be a hard-worker, efficient with time management and passionate about modelling.

• You get to wear the best clothes and get paid to look good
• You travel around the world and stay in the best hotels
• People might promise you a fat fee for a show and then back out of the deal
• You have to fend off a lot of unwanted admirers
• Very hectic schedules for days on end

Contact a good modelling agency or a fashion photographer to get your portfolio made. Good photographers can charge upwards of Rs. 20,000 or more for a professional portfolio. Once it’s done, send it to as many modelling and advertisement agencies as you can. Fashion week auditions and smaller ramp shows are the places where you might get a good break. So, keep an eye out for auditions. Also, with reality TV going big, you can try to get into shows like ‘get glamorous’ and ‘diva’ to get noticed.

• Glitz Modelling, Delhi.
• The Elite School, Delhi . 
• Padmini Kolhapure School for Acting, 
• Modelling and Grooming, 29, Hauz Khas Village, Delhi. 
• The Meyhar Bhasin Academy