PARIS, Jan 31 — For many aspiring young models from eastern Europe this is the dream — wearing haute couture and strutting down the catwalks of Paris Fashion Week.

But for many, including 17-year-old Russian Polina Zubritskaya, the bright lights of the French capital remain an elusive goal, so she’s toiling it out on the Chinese catwalks instead.

"A day of work can be one hour and it can be 12 hours or more. There is no time for anything else. Yes, I think that is hard,” model Polina Zubritskaya said.

A 14-year-old Russian model died during Shanghai Fashion Week in October, sparking a debate about working conditions, even though her agency denied she was overworked.

The work can also be lucrative though — a few fashion labels surveyed said they pay models about US$180 (about RM702) for an hour.

Models who get work visas in China can gain portfolio photos and some financial stability, and the hope that one day they’ll gain the experience to reach the European market. — Reuters

Many aspiring young models from eastern Europe dream of wearing haute couture and strutting down the catwalks of Paris Fashion Week. — Screen capture via Reuters