This is probably the most frequent question I get asked by all aspiring models and friends ( apart from "how tall are you" :p)
To be a fashion model you do need a very photogenic face
You need to usually be over 5ft7
and you need to be in proportion
There are a few different types of models,
Runway models size 6-8 (and sometimes even 4 overseas) usually do most of the runway shows, advertising and editorial work but do not always look 'beautiful' but sometimes can have quite an unusual distinctive face.
Models between size 8-12 do all sorts of jobs, catalogues, editorial and advertising but do much less runway, usually lingerie companies will use models between size 6-10 for their shows
'Plus size' Models are between 12-18 with majority a size 14/16, will once again to mainly catalogues, editorial, lingerie and advertising unfortunately plus size models rarely get to do runway shows
there are more categories but these are the main ones
I myself started originally by my sister taking me when I was 15 to Chadwicks agency in Sydney, I was going to do a test shoot with them (too see how I photographed) but my sister moved away and I didn't feel confident enough to pursue it. It wasn't until I was 16 and saw an ad in Dolly magazine about a model competition that I decided to give it another try. It still took me 3 months to pick up the courage and enter the Competition, back then I struggled to find myself attractive let alone model material. I did not win the competition :(, but I did get a lovely photo in the Sunday Telegraph (because I was the only one wearing a dress after the competition), for once in my life after seeing that photo I felt I had a chance.
I started working for Moda Models in Sydney then on after, I did free work or very little pay work to build my portfolio- You should never really have to pay for photos in my opinion ( I think there is enough beginner photographers and makeup artists to get some images of you to take to castings) I know there are a lot of dodgy agencies out there that promise the world to young girls all if they pay $1000 to even $3000 or so for photos, it's not necessary; if you really have what it takes your agency should be paying that, and besides they will be looking more at you at castings (photos can be altered very easily in photoshop these days) they're really more interested in what you look like in real life, saying that though having a strong portfolio is critical for models, but casting directors are less critical if you say you have just started.
The first thing to do if you do decide to model is to take yourself to a top agency and see what they say.
Unfortunately some agencies can be quite critical only because they deal with girls and boys wanting to model all the time and you not having the 'look' their after.
Don't be disheartened if they say no, try a few different ones, before you make your mind up. Remember also that you don't necessary have to be ultra skinny to model, you can always model at a healthy size, it just depends on what kind of model you want to be. I am a happy plus size model, because I couldn't stand starving myself so gave up on doing that, I changed agencies and got signed with Bella agency that is an exclusive agency for full figured models and in the end got triple the amount of work.
Just make sure you a ready for it, be confident in who you are, it is one very tough industry to crack and you do need thick skin
I will publish the top agencies and more information about how to build a strong portfolio later :)
ciao Bella x
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