Child models live out their parents' dreams

By Yenni Kwok

JAKARTA (JP): The voice of little French singer Jordy erupted in the mirror-walled studio of OQ Modeling School, where aspiring young models were learning to work the catwalk.

All of them, from slender teenage girls to bouncing toddlers, were rehearsing for a Sunday fashion show held in one of Jakarta's flashiest shopping malls.

"Pose in the center! Pose in the center!" said instructor Yetti I. Abdullah, reminding them to stop and pose properly.

Child modeling is an awkward combination of youthful spirit and mature elegance. Underage models need to walk straight, just like their grown-up peers. However, they also need to retain their innocent and their childish appeal.

Utami Munandar, a children's psychologist at the University of Indonesia, said the demand for child models was understandable. "Who can model children's clothing besides children?" she asked.

However, she warned: "Children are still children. They are not miniature grown-ups." She considers instructing children to walk like models or sway their hips as unnatural.

Nevertheless, the dividing line between a child and an adult in this field is a bit sketchy. Often, letting a child be a child in this commercial world can prove to be chaotic.

Take for example a fashion show recently held by well-known children's apparel brand Osh Kosh B'Gosh. The company insisted on using children from its customers' list on the catwalk instead of using trained underage models.

During the fashion show, the children paraded without the expected poses or steps. The result was a disaster. The models simply walked about and turned as they liked, causing headaches for photojournalists who were trying to capture the right moments.

At OQ Modeling School, instructors teach students how to pose for the camera and work the runway. They draw the line at teaching makeup application or social etiquette in their classes.

"We teach them to walk to the beat of the music. We also teach about basic catwalk performance. They do not have to sway their hips, but they need to walk straight," said Yetti.

Parents are often told not to apply excessive makeup on their children. "It is very important to present their child's qualities," said Okky Asokawati, the school's director.

OQ Modeling School offers a two-month training session for aspiring child models.

The fruit of their labor was reflected during the rehearsal. The children, already in the know about basic catwalk movements, moved to the beat. Four-year-old Lifia was the most enthusiastic. She smiled and swayed her hips while walking down the catwalk.

"She never stops smiling. She never stops moving," said proud mother Nana Azwar Umar.

Okky acknowledged that some child models mature quicker than other children.

"Child models tend to have more confidence. They also have better social skills because they are exposed to more people," Okky said. "Their role models can be their instructors or other people, not only their mothers."

"Sometimes I worry that Lifia will miss out on her childhood," said Nana, who sometimes buys Lifia cartoon videos so that she can catch up on some fun.

Generally, it is usually parents who introduce children to modeling. Their reasons vary.

Nana, for example, enrolled Lifia to help her overcome her shyness.

One teenage girl said she studied to be a model because her mother wanted her to stop being so boyish.

At least for now, both are happy with their lives. Mira Syafina, the teenage model, is now a towering 14 year old who has lost her boyish mannerism after four years of studying at the school.

And, Lifia? "Not all children dare to do what she does now," Nana said proudly.

For some children, modeling can ensure a bright future. Winny Siregar hopes her five-year-old son, Nicholas, will learn to become to be a good model.

Winny said modeling could be something for Nicholas to fall back on in his adulthood. "Looking for a job is more difficult, even for a college graduate," she added.

Beautiful

The children themselves do not think much about modeling, beyond the fact that they like it.

"Because I like it," Lifia answered when asked why she models.

Ten-year-old Naboya, another student at the school, only shrugged her shoulders and said, "I just like it."

Do they feel beautiful because they work on a runway? Lifia shook her head, and said, "No." But, the more confident Naboya admitted she felt more beautiful than her friends.

Parents can encourage or inspire, but they should not force their children to model, said Yetti. "There is a definite contrast between a child who does it voluntarily and someone who is forced by a mother."

Nana agrees. She said she had never forced Lifia to participate in an event. Once, Lifia suddenly became upset before a photo session. After attempts to sooth and woo her failed, Nana apologized to the organizer and took her home.

"It would be useless to take her photo if she had been crying," Nana said.

Children's modeling skills can lead to places beyond the catwalk. The demand for these children come from magazines wanting family pictures to advertisements, TV commercials and even to singing careers.

Lifia, for example, will soon record her first album, under the label of Purnama Records.

The important thing is that children do it because they like it, not because of the money their parents get, Utami said.

Indeed, one lingering issue is how is it that the children work but the parents get the money.

"I always deposit the money Lifia earns into her own account. I never spend even a cent of it.

"The important thing is not the money, but watching her enjoy walking on the catwalk. I was a very shy young girl, and would not have dared do what she does," Nana said.