Becoming A Fashion Model – How To Become A Fashion Model Using These 9 Tips
Table of Contents
Who Is A Model?
A model is someone who helps a company or organisation to promote its brand’s products/services. These brands’ products may be clothes, wristwatches, perfumes, sunglasses, etc. For instance, a model gets paid for marketing a product that may be on a show, picture, or runway, which in the end, tries to showcase the product to gain more visibility and possible customers.
What Does A Model Do?
Models collaborate with consumer brands, fashion designers, photographers, and artists to promote various goods. Consumer brands employ models to flaunt chic attire in publications, on catwalks, or to showcase cosmetics.
Although stylists and makeup artists frequently help models choose their outfits, hairstyles, and overall appearance, they are ultimately responsible for how they appear in front of the camera.
Types Of Fashion Models
There are nine basic types of models in the fashion world. Each type of modelling has its own set of requirements:
1. Editorial Models
These models often appear in fashion magazines, like Vogue or Harper’s Bazaar, wearing the latest designs from a particular fashion designer or clothing brand. Editorial models pose for fashion photographers during photoshoots, taking direction and following their own artistic instinct to help capture the perfect image.
Female models are categorized by height and measurements and are typically five feet, nine inches or taller and slim. Male models are categorized by height and measurements and are typically around six feet tall and slim.
2. Runway Models.
These models walk the catwalk during fashion shows, displaying carefully curated ensembles for audiences that set the current tone or upcoming trends for the fashion world. All runway models are categorized by height and measurements and are typically over five feet, nine inches and slim.
3. Plus-size Models
In fashion modelling, models larger than the editorial standard are considered full-figured or curvy. They primarily model plus-size clothing designs.
4. Parts Models.
Part models only model a specific body part in product photography. For example, they may use their hands to model a new nail polish or their feet to advertise a new sandal. Parts models must take special care of their coveted feature to ensure it stays in optimal condition.
5. Fitness Models.
Maintaining peak physical fitness is a major requirement for fitness models. These models exercise regularly, creating a toned and muscular physique. Fitness models usually appear in magazines, advertising supplements, workout attire, or gym facilities.
6. Glamour Models.
Glamour models are usually hired based on their appearance and sexual appeal. Brands and photographers hire glamour models to appear in certain magazines, calendars, and music videos.
7. Lingerie Models.
Lingerie models pose in brassieres and underwear for photoshoots, catalogues, and magazines. These models also work the runway to show off the latest undergarment fashion for lingerie brands and designers.
8. Swimsuit Models.
Swimsuit models pose in bathing suits, showing off the latest summer swimwear. The magazine Sports Illustrated is most known for its athletic swimsuit model features.
9. Promotional Models.
Brands hire this type of model to market their products and services. Brands hire promotional models, commonly known as influencers, to promote their products and services to their target audiences.
10. Catalog Models.
Companies hire these commercial models for their relatable image. This type of modelling has more flexibility in terms of appearance. Catalogs typically feature models who look like everyday people rather than runway-ready supermodels.
This type of commercial modelling includes mainstream retail clothing and products that are more accessible to general consumers.
Tips For Becoming A Model
Establishing a modelling career requires time and discipline. If you’re an aspiring model looking for full-time modelling work, check out the following tips:
Recognize Your Strengths
Being a model involves hyperfocus on your appearance. However, beauty is subjective, and you never know what someone will find beautiful about you.
You can reflect confidence in your body language, which can affect how other people perceive you. The modelling world is full of rejection, and it can be easy to take that rejection personally.
You need to keep in mind that you have something unique to offer. Presenting yourself as a confident person can play a big role in becoming a successful model.
2. Understand The Duties Of The Job.
Modelling requires dedication, perseverance, and the ability to execute instructions quickly and precisely while posing in specific positions or recreating looks for long periods of time. For the kind of modelling you want to do, you’ll need a wide range of poses in your repertoire.
For the camera to capture the proper image, you must also understand how to position your body and face. You must develop and perfect your signature walk if you want to walk the runway.
3. Take Care Of Your Appearance.
Physically attractiveness is important but not the most important aspect of modelling. Modelling involves taking good care of your body.
Even though there are more opportunities for models with different body types and clothing sizes, maintaining healthy skin, hair, and nails is still important, especially if you’re a parts model.
4. Get Headshots.
You’ll need a variety of headshots and full body shots to submit to prospective agencies and employers if you want to land a modelling gig.
Hire a skilled photographer to capture you in natural light, wearing simple clothing to highlight your features.
Make sure your photos accurately reflect your appearance in person so modelling agencies can see what you offer. Do not send filtered images from social media.
5. Create A Portfolio.
Many prospective clients will consider your modelling portfolio before working with you. Compared to your headshots, these pictures are more expertly styled and edited.
A portfolio or website that promotes your skills and range should be created using your best, highest-quality professional photos. Additionally, a website can make it simpler for prospective employers to find you and view your work.
6. Find A Modeling Agency That Fits Your Brand.
Most models require the assistance of an agency to find work. Find a few that seem legitimate and represent the kind of model you want to be by researching the top modelling agencies. Polaroids (also known as digitals) and any relevant modelling experience should be submitted to a model agency you find that seems like a good fit.
7. Try A Modelling School.
Aspiring models can learn the fundamentals of the profession, such as how to put together their photo portfolios, pose or walk the runway, work with photographers, and develop their personal images by enrolling in a modelling school or taking modelling classes.
8. Look For Open Casting Calls.
Attending an open casting call is occasionally the best way to break into the modelling industry. Open calls, also known as go-sees, are times agencies set aside to view new models without prior contact or appointment, even though you can’t just walk into any agency and be seen. Use these opportunities to promote yourself as a new talent to improve your chances of becoming a successful model.
9. Consider Moving.
If you are serious about becoming a model, you may want to move to a major city with more opportunities. New York and Los Angeles are major modelling hubs and the best places to find editorial, runway, and commercial work.