THERE are two things every model lies about: her age and her bust size. She is probably older than she looks, she makes a lot of money and she keeps the hours of a grandmother.
Backstage at a fashion show, the atmosphere is heavy enough to choke you. It's all bare breasts, laddered stockings and the occasional shallow remark.
It would be an asset to be deaf in one ear so you would catch only half the insults (''who does she think she is? . . . looks like someone slapped her face with a frying pan'').
The American Women's Association presented its annual fashion show last month. It featured a wide range of styles by American designers, including Calvin Klein, Diane Freis, Anne Klein II, St. John and Esprit.
The show was special because it mixed a group of professional models with a majority of amateurs who attended a series of lessons in cat-walking conducted by choreographer Diane Benedetti.
Rehearsals were held once a week for five weeks at the aerobics room at Park View, where 20 models brushed up on their technique.