Model 101

What defines an Import Model (IM)? Who are they and what are they all about? Are they just good looking girls of an Asian persuasion who like to hang out with guys and their cars? Some yes, but there’s more to the picture than meets the eye. Here’s a quick lesson in Import Model 101 from an OG IM. From someone who’s been there from the beginning. There are many stereotypes that surround us, but I’d like to set the record straight and add the true definition of IM to Carbon8’s dictionary.

Let me take you back to the Import Showoff days where IM’s were primarily Asian models recognized by car enthusiasts who saw the value in having some “eye candy” pose next to their cars to help draw photographic attention to their efforts. This practice immediately created a stereo type for any girl who hung out at those events and happened to be good looking. Here’s how it might look as a mathematical equation:

(Modified Ride) + (Tuner Guy) x (Hot Asian Girl)
= Import Model

Au contraire mon frère! For most of us, that’s just the beginning. The growth of the “tuner scene” created a loyal following of youth oriented consumers giving models the opportunity to further their careers through promotional representation of various products. The explosion of this growing industry caught the attention of many marketers worldwide and not just in the automotive sector. As a result, IMs’ careers were raised to new levels of commercial success that previously had only been experienced by more mainstream model types. It’s important to realize that IMs now play a HUGE role in the marketing efforts of many companies within the auto industry and others outside as well who are trying to reach the whole male 18 to 30 something demographic. Professional IM’s do more than just hang around cars, pose for photos and look pretty. We help connect marketers with consumers. We are brand builders and educators and are a main stay in the tuner market. If you took us out of the equation it would be like taking the cream out of an OREO cookie…like the yin without the yang, “Gina with no Martin” as Kanye puts it! ;)

The true definition of an IM these days is a pretty young lady who takes her modeling career seriously and looks at it as a real business venture. It may be working in a promotional capacity at an event handing out corporate literature, doing photo shoots for magazine advertising, or representing a company’s brand by acting as their spokes model. That in itself requires a lot of work and dedication as one must fully understand not only what a company is trying to promote but what the products actually do as well!

But there are always a few rotten apples in the bunch. Those that don’t act like professionals and treat modeling as just a hobby to get some modest exposure and flash in the pan recognition. Inappropriate behavior sets those of us with a real work ethic back years. Some of those who claim to be IM’s are naïve in thinking it’s all just fun and games. It’s not all about glitz, glamour and partying. The professionals among us take our job very seriously as it is our bread and butter. So think about that the next time you see one of us out there at an event. There’s more to the picture than meets the eye.

Be True to Yourself,

Sunisa