Dubai A live audition for an unrestrictive model hunt held in Dubai over the weekend meant many things to many people. For organiser Zareen Khan of w2w Events, it marked a smooth passage to the fifth annual Fashion For All (FFA) gala that will take place on March 8 next year. For many of the show’s keen participants, it was an opportunity to make a statement in a world obsessed with “perfection”. But for everyone present, it reiterated FFA’s underlying belief in “beauty without boundaries”, where models of both genders, all ages, abilities, sizes and ethnicities could freely walk the ramp.
“It was very heartening to see that the response to our live auditions this year almost doubled since the last season. We had over 70 online registrations. Of those, 53 turned up as there were a few who called in sick or had to travel last minute,” said Khan.
She said irrespective of the numbers, FFA over the years had become a movement that had in its own small way changed the conventional idea of beauty in people’s minds, allowing everyone to showcase themselves as they are, boost their self-esteem and confidence, and establish that style and fashion transcend stereotypes.
Bold and beautiful
Disni Pasea, a Sri Lankan mother of five, couldn’t agree more. An FFA regular, the 48-year-old housewife said: “This event always makes me feel so special. I have five children aged between 22 and nine years and am constantly running around doing things for them. This gives me a chance to do something for myself.”
The 5foot 2inch-tall Pasea who weighs 77 kg and has a completely shaven head stands out with her confidence. “My hair started thinning when I came to Dubai, so I just shaved my head,” she said, adding that she had qualified for FFA 12015 through a music video audition launched earlier.
Diane, an Australian mum who keenly follows FFA, said: “It’s so refreshing to see a celebration of beauty in all its originality. We need more events like these.”
Much of FFA’s appeal stems from the fact that it is not patronising. As Khan explained, it is open for anyone and everyone, with the result that some conventional models too take part. “They are very much at ease with the unconventional ones and vice-versa,” said Khan.
Petite model Rachel Selma, 24, is one of them. The Miss Beautiful Face from the last round of Miss India Worldwide, Selma said: “I love the concept and enthusiasm of Fashion for All. It is fantastic to be able to celebrate your beauty irrespective of your measurements.”
In another diverse case, Khan spoke of a Pakistani teenager Zia Mirza who is a hearing impaired model for FFA. “He is an amazingly talented model. He cannot hear but he has been reading lips and learning all the choreography. He is extremely good on the ramp.”
She said of all the auditioned models, 35 will be selected as finalists for FFA 2015. “They will then undergo a full month of training on posture, catwalk, nutrition, skin and hair care, self confidence and dance, before they can walk the ramp at the Centrepoint theatre, Ductac on March 8.
She said FFA 2015 will be a full-day event. The first half will be dedicated to a conference where a panel of speakers will discuss beauty without boundaries and other topics. The fashion show will also showcase 15 local designers and brands, she added.
