Model beh av1our

Perth beauty Alisha Farrer makes an impressive debut on the modelling scene even as 801/ywood beckons

ALisha Farrer may be just 18, but she's already making inroads into the fashion industry as a model, both here in Australia and in India. This attractive you ng lady was born in Perth, after her parents migrated here in 1988

But Alisha retains her root.~, being a huge fan of Bollywood and India since a young age She has maintained strong ties co India, with her family making a trip co the motherland at least once a year.

Since a very you ng age, Alisha showed a love of tl1e stage, participating in various events at school and within Perth's Indian community. With acts such Boll ywoo d dancing, she was recognised as a budding talent when she won her first talent award at the tender age o f 5

Alisha has always wanted to become a model, and she began her careet on the catwalk at just 17.

"I have the height and the looks, and I was always complemented on my personality when I performed o n stage," says this confident young woman.

It was this combi nation of talent tbat made her take the first steps i nto a career in modelling

An aspiring actress, Alisha looks on Aishwarya Rai -Bachchan, Katrina Kai f and Kareena Kapoor as ro le models.

"Aishwarya Rai is the epitome of beauty :rnd grace," says Alisha admiringly.

There seems little d oubt that she coo would like to follow in the footsteps of the forme r Miss \Xlo rld's eminently successful career

Alisha has already tasted a modinm1 of success here in Australia, as a finalist in the 2012 Miss India Australia contest, where s he won the competition's 'Public Choice' category

In March 2012, Alisha represented A ustralia in the lndian Princess International beauty pageant held in l\fombai, where sbe was placed in tl1e cop 5 and received four awards, including 'Miss Best Smile'.

In the Lead up to this event, she participated in the Miss r ortl1 India 2012 competition in June where she bagged the 'First RL1Ilner Up' prize as well as 'Jl.1iss Beauti.ful Legs'.

Bes ides the beauty pageants, Alisha has done many ad campaigns, Napoleon Percl is in particular. As well, tl1ere have been photo -s hoots, stage anchoring (such as t he Indian Ind e pendence Day function organised iJ1 e a ppe ars in the Napole on Perdis ad

Perth by the Indian Society o f Western Australia), and television commercials su ch as with tl1e Home-Buyers Centre in Perth.

And now, Alisha has take n her career to another level b y participating in a string of fashion shows, a natural progression from wirming beauty pageants. Her first trys t w ith the catwall, was at Rocky Ray, Model of the Future and in A ugus t 2011, when she walked the ramp for a Fashion Heir enterprise, a Perthbased promotiona l company with a large expecience in fashion photography and mar keting

"I bave a passi o n for m ode llin g and am a natural poser - I simp ly love being in front o f the camera," says Alisha entbusiast.ically.

"Getting my hair and makeup clone too is an enjoyable part o f the jo b, but what I l ove best is working with other model s, malcing new friends and co ntacts, and meeting more people in the industry," she acids

H owever, it's no t aJJ g litz and gl amour for tbis enterprising you ng lady. Working in cUfficul t locations, finding the right poses, going throug h test shoes and outfi t changes can take a co ll on her too.

"In m y line of work i t is important to be patienc and respectfu~ because so metimes shoots can go on for hours! " she claims

The 5'9" beauty is reg istered witb 3 different m o delling agencies in Australi a (,Xtreem Model Management, Scene Model's acting agency, Accors Now and Lush Model Management), one agency in India, Shimmer Model management and an entertainment compan y Sri Sai E n tertainment.

A nd Alisha is n ot just another a prercy face, she is also a dedicated w1iversi ty smdem a nd ed u cation remains a priority She is currently a student ar C urtin Universi ty in Pertl1 where sbe is srndying for a Bachelor o f Ans Degree majoring in journalism and minoring in fashion.

So how does Alisha balance her smdies and a burgeoning career as a model? On the occas ions when A lisha needs co travel co India for a phocoshoot, she takes time off from university. H owever, she en sures that she stays on top o f her stuclies by follmving lectures o n line.

"It is difficul t and I have a lot o f catching up to do when l return from m y modelling trips," she admits, but knows t hat in the long mn , education always pays off.

However, AUs ha takes time o m to rela~ whenever she can, enjoying every momen t of her spare time. "1 go bike- ricling and wo rk out at t he gym at least three times a week. I also enjoy swimming, listening to B ollywood mu sic and naturally, watching the l atest Hindi films witl1 m y family," says Alisha with a smile.

Advising young peop le lookin g for a foothol d in th e g lamour industry, Alisha believes d eterminati o n is important. ' 'You shou ld follow your dream and there is nothing to stop you from achiev ing your goal," she says. "I know it sounds cliched, but m y favourite motto is: where the.re's a will, there's a way".

Alisha's fans and tbe commtmity will soon be seei n g her in a mov ie tlrnt will begin shooti ng in Occober thi s year, and this will b e Alisha's big Bollywoocl break. Looks like tl1ere's no stopping tl1i s ri s ing young s tar from Perth.

RohanaWood