OQ Modeling School turns eight

By Yenni Kwok

JAKARTA (JP): No happy birthday tunes, no candle-blowing occasions. Instead, the eighth anniversary of the OQ Modeling School and the fifth for the OQ Personality School were celebrated by giving out awards.

Awards were given to outstanding alumnus and instructors of OQ Modeling School. And, for the first time, the school, owned by senior model Okky Asokawati, held the 1997 OQ Top Model competition.

Twenty models from the OQ Modeling Agency participated, and five of the most requested by fashion designers, photographers and art directors were chosen as top models.

The five models were Vera Wenny Sumarwi, Chinta Widjanarko, Emi Susanti Chaniago, Ferbi Widyarosa and D. Nadya Inga Sari.

The 27 year-old Vera Wenny snatched the first prize.

Nevertheless, there were few surprises, even in the event highlight. When her name was announced as the Top Model, Vera Wenny only looked around and smiled shyly.

"I had heard the result already. Some people from the OQ modeling agency told me about the jury's decision the day before," said Vera Wenny, the winning model. "So, on the stage, I was not surprised at all."

The competition was to introduce the OQ models to a wider public. That Friday afternoon, Fashion Cafe, the venue for this year's OQ anniversary celebration, was full of celebrities, fashion designers and well-to-do businesspeople. They were entertained by a series of fashion shows. The top model finalists paraded collections from Poppy Dharsono, Chossy Latu, Elle Paris, Don & Donna and Jacardi Paris.

One of the senior models in Indonesia, Okky established her own modeling school in 1988. More than 1,500 men and women have graduated from the school. Their alumni include model Wiwid, actress Inneke Koesherawaty and AB Three singers, Widi, Nola and Lucy. That afternoon, Wiwid and Inneke were awarded outstanding alumni awards.

Vera is a story of a model who matured under OQ's training. Now with the OQ Modeling Agency, she was a graduate of the OQ Modeling School in 1990. "I started not knowing anything about walking on the catwalk, and now I have the know-how," she said. "I also learned about choosing good dresses and hairstyles."

But teaching models goes beyond tutoring or instruction. "We need to give them bait," said Okky. She said the competition is her bait for them to explore their individuality and become more expressive.

Despite the modeling school's high turnover, Okky said finding good talent is still a rarity. "From one class, perhaps only one student can be a model. Sometimes, none."

The most common obstacle is the height. While the height of the top model contestants were 170 cm and above, few Indonesian girls reach a model's minimum height, 170 cm.

"There are two types of students," Okky said. "Ones who can be models, and those who can't but just want to be like models."

Under the umbrella of the OQ Training Center (Pusat Pelatihan), the OQ Modeling School offers modeling classes to the public: three months for the basic class, and one month for the advanced. The total cost for the advanced level is more than Rp 1 million. Every year, the school gives scholarships to aspiring models. Emi, one of the five top model finalists, was one of the scholarship's recipients.

The OQ Training Center also houses the OQ Modeling Agency, OQ Personality School (Sekolah Pengembangan Pribadi) and OQ Club. Launched at this year's anniversary celebration, the OQ Club is a discount membership club, exclusively for OQ school alumni. The members are entitled to discounts from various fashion businesses, such as Ghea Panggabean's, Chossy Latu's or Samuel Panggabean's boutiques, Rudy Hadisuwarno Salon and DKNY clothing store.

Top Model

Vera's unsurprising victory is perhaps a reflection of her life. Hers is not full of unexpected events. After all, she seems to achieve what she wants to.

Despite her family's objections, she continued her career in modeling. "My brother knew some models, so he knew about their not-so good lifestyles," said Vera. But she assured him she wouldn't be anything like them.

Her ambitions extend beyond modeling. Currently finishing her degree in dentistry, Vera plans to take another degree in corporate law. She studied dentistry because her family would like her to have a job at home.

Vera, a tall, slim girl with strong cheekbones and a sweet smile, hopes to combine her modeling and law careers. Her law career is to prove that she too has brains, and her modeling experience provides her self-confidence in the boardroom.

And, she does not have to look far for an example. "Okky succeeded academically and in modeling," she said. "She is a psychologist and a top model, too."