Aftab Ahmad gets real about being an man-model in the Pakistan’s
6 min read
Last Updated on January 5, 2022 by Journal Fact
There’s Aftab Ahmad on countless billboards and all over. As one of Pakistan’s top Male Models, Aftab Ahmad is also the face of a variety of companies and is a part of a calendar full of projects. He’s a master at smoldering to the camera and knows how to stand out on the catwalk, which according to the dictionary of fashion desi generally implies that he is an excellent ramp dulha (groom). He’s been awarded awards and typically does not have to cross the Karachi-Lahore style divide as he works with the top brands from both cities. Sure, Aftab is on a winning streak and looks like a supermodel every day I get to meet him.
The model is wearing all-white and finishing the look with an eye-catching pair of sunshades. There’s a natural grace to him, fitting, given the fact that his main goal is to look stylish and make his clothes look nice too. He’s a little tired, He’s fasting, he tells me, and he’s following an intense work schedule and in our conversation, he gets calls, and coordinates with him to shoots for fashion scheduled in the coming days.
Even though I’m witness to how highly sought-after Aftab is I’m reminded of the fact that Aftab is a Pakistani male model has an extremely difficult path to success.
In a market where styles are geared towards women even the most successful male models’ options are restricted. For every 20 premium lawn-care brands, there might be a single high-end retailer which caters to men. In the plethora of bridal-wear boutiques, only few of them focus on the requirements of the bride. Fashion weeks are a time when at least three of the fashions showcased might be for menswear while the remainder of the show devoted to women’s clothes.
UN easy path of Pakistanis
It’s true that the Pakistani male model is often on an uneasy path to success and has a limited number of choices. But this doesn’t worry the model-in-demand iamaftabjameel. He’s living the lifestyle and is happy with how his life is going.
Male models weave their way through this tiniest collection of choices, trying to be the best he can. He could be punctual to the hilt and work hard, appear good on the catwalk and avoid throwing temper tantrums, but his choices will always be smaller than women models. It is also likely that he will be paid less due to the fact that the campaigns that he is able to pursue will be limited.
I’ve had the impression that this is a job that’s not worth the effort. Through the years, watching the frantic backstage chaos during a fashion week I’ve seen male models waiting for to be allowed on the runway while girls rush between shows to the next. They would occasionally discuss their struggles with me. This always led me to suggest that they need to create a new career path at the same time.
“Why are you committing your time to this? Are you generating other income streams? What will you do in the next decade?” I’d ask, in awe of the fact that these boys were spending the most important time of their lives on a handful of modeling trials, and had no stable career path to build their foundations on.
Exact Question
They were also the exact questions I asked at Aftab at the time I had spoken to him, about a couple of years back. Aftab had already been awarded many awards by that time, and was well-known in the ranks among Pakistani fashion’s most beautiful models. In response, he told me that he was looking at various businesses as he tried to get into modeling.
In our meeting today, the conversation opens by referring to that interview from a long time ago. Evidently , he was unable to comprehend why I asked him the questions I had. “Why did you ask me when I would be leaving modelling?” He smiles half-heartedly when he questions me.
I explain that I’ve simply been focused on the insecurity of career that affects models of Pakistan. Pakistani male models. Aftab thinks, “It’s not so difficult. I’ve always believed I belong in it is the Pakistani clothing industry was the most ideal to work. The people are so friendly to one and the other.”
Everyone? Really? I’m skeptical, and immediately think of instances where models were abruptly substituted at last minute by models who are “friends” with an famous photographer or designer. There are many horror stories about the fact that hardworking models of top quality do not get paid for months of work by big brands.
“Maybe everyone isn’t supportive,” Aftab admits, “but there are good as well as bad people in the world, and you’re able to decide to work with the best ones. If you fail to make it through just a single show, or a single campaign or working with one brand isn’t going to stop you from being a model who is successful.”
Support
There are people who don’t support you,” Aftab allows, “but there are both good and bad people all over the world and you’re free to decide to work with those who are good. The loss of just a single show, or a single campaign. Or being a part of a single brand won’t hinder you from being a model who is successful.”
This, as I have discovered is the doctrine Aftab adheres to and insists it has worked extremely well for him.
Male modelling, pragmatically
“In the 10-odd years since I started modelling, I have never asked anyone for work,” Aftab says. Aftab. “I have also refused to work when a brand or designer states that they cannot pay me. If they are able to afford female model salaries, they should definitely pay me as well.”
Isn’t it common, however, for models to accept to work for no cost at times. For certain campaigns to improve their profile and become more noticeable? “In the early days of my career, I needed visibility and may have worked in some campaigns for free,” he adds. The “but I don’t need to do this now. There are designers who are good friends of mine and I’ll even model for them on the spur of the moment. They also make me look glamorous to the red carpet each time I approach them. Most of the time, however I don’t think it’s worth investing my time and energy into an effort that isn’t paying.”
There are a lot of opportunities to earn very high-paying. “There’s a difference between high street brands and designers,” Aftab says. Aftab. “Designers are often involved in several fashion-related shoots each year. But they do not wish for models to earn a salary. The big brands, however shoot a constant stream of seasonal collections and have very high pay. I know a lot of models who are very popular in the fashion industry. Yet have not had any experience with high street retailers.”
The latter is one of the few with one foot firmly on the fashion world. And the other comfortably in the catalogues of high-street stores. Look through the Facebook profile of any prominent fashion brand, especially those that sell kurta shalwars to the desi gentleman. You’ll find Aftab Ahmad staring back at you.
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