How to Become a Fashion Model: A Beginner's Guide

How to Become a Fashion Model: A Beginner’s Guide

Shubham Anil Jain
Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Limited
Bangalore, India
Email: shubhamajain125@gmail.com

Introduction:
Everyone can find something to enjoy in the modelling industry. You can find at least one niche or area of expertise that matches your appearance and personality because there are so many of them. Once you’ve decided that becoming a fashion model is the proper course of action, it’s time to decide how you’ll get there. Being really, really, insanely attractive is only one aspect of the modeling industry.

A model is described as:

A person hired to display clothing or other goods
A subject or object that an artist uses as a pattern
To flaunt by donning, utilizing, or demonstrating

Although there are many definitions of a model, these three are the most pertinent for our needs. To sum it up, a model is a person who is paid to pose with, wear, or display goods (i.e. most commonly clothing). This leaves the definition of a model open to interpretation because it can be done in a variety of contexts and methods.

Various Types of Models:

1. Editorial/Fashion Model:
Fashion models are most frequently utilized in magazine photo assignments for fashion magazines like Vogue, and are likely the first kind of model that comes to mind when you think of a model. Fashion models are frequently used in the advertising campaigns for pricey companies like Gucci and Valentino, for instance.

2. Lingerie and Swimwear Model:
Lingerie and swimwear are the areas of specialization for swimsuit models. This sort of modelling, for instance, might include Victoria’s Secret models. Remember that these several models frequently overlap with one another. You probably know of a few Victoria’s Secret models, for instance, who began their modelling careers as lingerie models before transitioning to fashion and editorial modelling.

3. Commercial Model:
Commercial models are typically not limited to one style of modelling and work on a variety of projects. The primary goal of commercial models is to aid in the sale of goods through marketing initiatives.

4. Fitness Model:
Fitness models nearly always have a physically fit body, whether they are promoting a new pair of workout pants or appearing in a workout video. They may be used in advertisements, but they may also take part in a more active type of modelling in which they perform different tasks.

5. Promotional Model:
You don’t necessarily need to be adept in front of the camera to model. Being approachable, outgoing, and simple to chat to is especially important when modelling for advertising. The most popular places to employ promotional models are trade exhibitions and events where they will help sell or promote a product.

6. Glamor Model:
A glamour model, like editorial and fashion models, focuses on shooting pictures and promoting goods through advertising campaigns. The physique and shooting aesthetic of an editorial model and a glamour model are their primary differences. Fashion models often have a more attractive physique and slimmer frame.

How to Become a Fashion Model?
You can take the following typical actions while deciding how to become a model:

1. Choose the type of model that you want to be:
Models come in a variety of forms, including runway, shoulder and neck, fitness, and hand models. You can also specialize in modelling for still photos or moving pictures. You should choose the modelling niche that best suits you before starting your profession given the wide variety of alternatives available.

2. Begin training at home:
You can start training at home for a career in modelling. Find movies of seasoned models and see how they move and pose. In front of a full-length mirror, you can practice a runway walk.

3. Workout and train:
Consider creating a training schedule at a nearby gym or dancing studio. To develop and maintain your physique, you can also start keeping track of your nutrition and exercise. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help you stay emotionally and physically healthy because modelling may be an extremely demanding career.

4. Develop a portfolio:
Eventually, you would need to spend money on a photographer to take expert photos for your portfolio. Make sure your fashion portfolio contains a wide variety of images of you in various stances, outfits, and personas. You can also play around with accessories and makeup.

5. Find a representative:
You must find a modelling agent because the majority of clients prefer to work with agencies, so you must do so. Bring your portfolio and be prepared to audition when you visit an agency. You must be aware of all pertinent details regarding your physical characteristics, such as your height, weight, eye colour, costume measurements, and shoe size.

6. Enroll in relevant courses:
Modeling schools instruct students about the business and prepare students to act in photo shoots and maintain a healthy weight. Consider acting or dance classes if you wish to take classes to supplement your modelling abilities. In a picture shoot if you need to express a mood or character, acting training may be helpful. You can improve poise and good posture by taking dance courses.

7. Seek out chances to stand out:
To succeed as a model, you must put some time into self-promotion. Constantly explore for modelling possibilities that could help you stand out to potential clients. For instance, you might work with portrait photographers who will promote you on their social media or in their portfolio.

8. Use social media:
The Internet is a fantastic tool for self-promotion because it allows you to submit images and movies that could be seen by thousands of people. You may gain fans and create a platform to share your work through social media. Start establishing a professional social media presence if you don’t currently have one.

Skills Required to Become a Fashion Model:

1. Photogenic:
Of course, a model needs to be aware of their angles and possess photographic possibility. To get the most out of whatever they are wearing, they must know how to use the light and how to arrange their bodies.

2. Flexible:
The modelling business is not a 9 to 5 career, Monday through Friday. There is a lot of travel required, and you could have to work unusual hours. A model needs to be adaptable enough to go to castings and gigs as needed. If a work changes, they must also be content to cancel social plans. Modeling may not be the best job choice for you if you detest not knowing what you’re doing from one week to the next.

3. Patience:
There may be a lot of waiting involved in modelling. A model must wait in between takes, while sets and photographers are set up, and while they discover out if they have a work.

4. Listening:
A fashion model needs to have good listening skills. Brands and photographers will offer them instructions that they must abide by. Their modelling agency will also provide them with suggestions and counsel. Students must also pay attention to any advice offered to them about certain jobs and interviews, such as any dos and don’ts.

5. Communication:
A model needs to be adept at speaking on the phone, writing emails, and most importantly, in person. Models must frequently interact and collaborate with strangers. They must also properly communicate with their agent to understand when and where they are needed.

6. Confidence:
A model needs to have the self-assurance to interact and collaborate with new individuals each day. With all eyes on them, they must also feel confident. A model must have enough self-confidence to not let criticism influence them because they will experience a lot of rejection.

Conclusion:
Everyone who is passionate and persistent can succeed as a model. The modelling profession is known for its stringent specialization, though, and those that fit a certain mould will likely find it easier to thrive while those who don’t would probably have a tougher time getting noticed. Particularly in high fashion, models typically need to meet particular height, body shape, and appearance requirements. Other modelling agencies, however, work with individuals who don’t fulfill these criteria, such as petite models, fitness models, body component models, and plus-size models.

References:

https://www.themodelskit.co.uk/blog/how-to-become-a-model-a-beginners-guide/
https://www.format.com/online-portfolio-website/model/guide
https://in.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/how-to-become-model?
https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-become-a-fashion-model
https://www.pixpa.com/blog/tips-for-aspiring-fashion-models

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Mazharul Islam Kiron

Founder & Editor of Textile Learner. He is a Textile Consultant, Blogger & Entrepreneur. He is working as a textile consultant in several local and international companies. He is also a contributor of Wikipedia.