Although Ayyan recently shifted gears to pursue a career in music, she long remained the sweetheart of the fashion fraternity. PHOTO: PUBLICITY
Between the glitz and blitz of the fashion world, it’s difficult not to veer towards one or the other. In an industry that promises fame, big bucks and frequent travel, especially for models, too high a leap often leads to a fall. With supermodel Ayyan getting arrested for allegedly attempting to ship $500,000 out of the country, a debate sparks on what is it in the entertainment industry that, despite the exposure it offers, leads to a myopic view of travel regulations. The Express Tribune talks to industry heavyweights to explore why a model could get trapped in the bait of power and money.
On the perception that women entering the modelling world are easy to manipulate, photographer Tapu Javeri feels it mainly depends on how the entrant takes it. “Nobody is naïve. Most of the girls know everything. Also, people around them help them understand the industry,” he says. Modelling veteran Iraj Manzoor says, “I can’t speak for Ayyan, but I know I’m not naïve when it comes to these regulations.”
Event manager and former model Frieha Altaf feels those who pursue modelling learn from trial-and-error. “Most of these girls come from a middle-class background, but they haven’t seen anything. Some of them want money, some, want to be famous,” says Altaf. “Ayyan had been here for a while and I feel terrible for her. Knowing her, it seems this was a pure act of ignorance on her part.”
Model Nadia Hussain shares, “As far as models are concerned, they learn with time. But when you are a traveller, you know all the rules and laws of travelling internationally.” She adds, “The amount of money [Ayyan was carrying] is not small. I myself would be scared to carry even $10,000 cash. It’s not naivety, it is something beyond that.”
Veteran designer Maheen Khan solemnly says, “One more girl has become a victim to exploitation. It’s easy to judge and point fingers but everyone has the right to prove their innocence until they’re proven guilty.” She feels Ayyan has been used. “How can we sit and watch this and not grieve? Why do we rejoice in someone’s bad luck? As a mother and grandmother, I can only mourn Ayyan’s fate.”
Budding model Sana Sarfaraz gives it straight from the shoulder. “No one really guides you in the modelling world. People usually manipulate you for their personal gains. There are rare cases where you can seek support from others,” she states. Zahir Rahimtoola, CEO of Labels, lauds Ayyan’s work ethic. “I know Ayyan very well. Her first fashion shoot was for us and I remember her as a professional model who strictly observed punctuality. She was hardworking, diligent and always gave her best. She had the zest to grow big,” he says.
Although Ayyan recently shifted gears to pursue a career in music, she long remained the sweetheart of the fashion fraternity. Having worked with top-notch brands and show-stopping for a host of designers since 2010, she raised questions when she retracted from the industry in February last year. This could make her fans wonder what catalysed her decision. Sarfaraz shares that in her personal experience with Ayyan, she found her to be kind and polite. “She seems to be a happy girl. I’ve never seen her complain about anything.”
Designer Deepak Perwani, once known to be a close friend of Ayyan’s, says, “As far as the models who do my shoots are concerned, I don’t care what they do [on a personal level]. That’s nobody’s business.” Similarly, designer Nomi Ansari states, “It’s personal and I don’t get into anybody’s business.”
Rahimtoola comments, “It’s sad that she got caught in a web of the powerful, who are nothing but piranhas that will find another to feed on once they are done with her.” He feels the fashion industry has responded to the situation like ‘crows’ and shouldn’t be criticising her for it. “I leave it up to the law to decide what’s right and what’s wrong. Hopefully, this is an eye-opener for young women in the industry not to be lured by pomp, power and wealth.”
Published in The Express Tribune, March 17th, 2015.
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