Elite model competition opens doors for aspiring teens

JAKARTA (JP): Who was Tracy Trinita before her thriving modeling career in New York, Milan, Paris, London and other fashion capitals?

Only a few years ago, she was just an ordinary junior high school student on the tourist island of Bali.

Now, Tracy, 17, one of the few Indonesians to model abroad, has a very tight schedule, flying from city to city, sashaying along international fashion runaways and holding photo sessions with world famous photographers.

Her most recent job was with Iman Cosmetics, posing with former supermodel Iman, wife of rock musician David Bowie, and two other famous models.

The starting point for this glamorous career was the Indonesian Elite Model Look competition in l995, in which Tracy took the grand prize. The road to an international modeling career then opened for her at the International Elite Model Look in Nice, France.

For Tracy, then 14, this was like a dream come true. Despite her young age, she was ready to soar.

But it is not a dream, and it could happen again. Any woman who wants to pursue a career in modeling is invited to take part in the Elite Pantene Model Look Contest l999, jointly held by the Putri Pertiwi foundation, the holder of the Elite Model Look license, and Pantene.

The contest will begin with regional competitions, with the winners moving on to the national competition. Those wishing to participate can register at a number of private radio stations in seven cities across Indonesia, including Smart FM in Manado, North Sulawesi, Kiss FM in Medan, North Sumatra, Istara in Surabaya, East Java, Ardan in Bandung, West Java, CDBS in Bali and Jakarta and Geronimo in Yogyakarta.

Registration forms are also available in several magazines and tabloids, including Femina women's magazine, Aneka, Gadis teen magazine, Jakarta Jakarta, Nova and Citra tabloids.

Like previous years, Brigita said, the grand final of the competition will be held in Bali in the first week of August. The winner of the contest will try her luck at the International Elite Model Look in Nice, France, along with dozens of finalists from around the world.

"I hope this year we can find many more talented and professional models who can model overseas," Brigita said

She said a modeling career required strict discipline, professionalism, a strong personality and courage.

"Many Indonesian girls enter modeling in the hope that they can taste the glamour and fame but they have no knowledge at all about the subject," she added.

Unlike Tracy, two winners of previous Elite Model Look competitions, Yenni Adriani and Dina Olivia, only model on a part-time basis.

Dina, 16, a student at SMU 70 high school in Kebayoran Baru, Jakarta, won the contest in l997 but has only modeled for local companies.

"I always do photo sessions or fashion shows during school holidays," said Dina.

She also said her parents would not allow her to quit school to pursue a modeling career, especially overseas.

The 23-year-old Yenni from Bali, winner of the l996 contest, took a year off from modeling to get married.

"Now, I'm ready to have a professional modeling career abroad," said Yenni, a mother of one.

However, she may not realize that goal because modeling, particularly on the international stage, can be a short and difficult career.

The era of megamodels like Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, Claudia Schiffer and Elle MacPerson has ended because all these women are now in their late 20s and early 30s.

Once famous at home, models like Ratih Sanggar, Okky Asokawati and Lulu Dewayanti are now seeking other professions.

Yenni could be considered by some too old to model anymore, making it virtually impossible for her to compete with new and fresh models from Asia, Europe and America.

Brigita said Indonesians must be tough if they want to try the global modeling competition.

"Language, culture and a lack of self-confidence are major problems for Indonesian girls seeking a professional career in modeling," she said.

Fashion designer Harry Dharsono said Indonesia has numerous talented, beautiful and smart women. Yet, internationally, Indonesian models have never managed to shine.

"When I wanted to hold a fashion show abroad, I found it very difficult to find Indonesian models," Harry said.

He said a number of modeling agencies gave him hundreds of photos of Asian models from various countries, but none of them were from Indonesia.

Models from the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and even Myanmar are hired by world designers and international companies, he said.

"Some of them do not even speak English or French, but they are very persistent, courageous and professional, something missing in Indonesian models," he added.

Indonesian girls should have courage and should be able to "sell" themselves in positive ways, meaning they have to meet international modeling requirements, overcome language barriers and have brains, Harry said.

"We would be very proud to see Indonesian girls walking on international runaways or appearing on overseas TV commercials. It would be good promotion for our decaying country," he said.

For this year's contest, Brigita said the criteria would be very high and adjusted to current trends in modeling.

Trends in modeling are changing very fast, she said. In the past, designers always chose one of the supermodels to display their newest creations. Cosmetic and fashion companies also used them in their commercials, she said.

"Now, world designers, magazines and the fashion business tend to pick girls or women outside of modeling or girls from Asian and African countries," she said.

This changing trend would certainly benefit models from countries like Indonesia. "The question is whether Indonesian models want to take advantage of this rare chance," Brigita said. (raw)