Types of Models and Modeling Jobs
Types of models and modeling jobs
Many young ladies wonder what modeling opportunities are available to them.
The most popular questions are:
Do I really have to be a size 0 to 4?
Do I have to be 5’9″ or above to get into modeling?
What is the difference between commercial models and fashion?
What is parts modeling and what opportunities are available if you do not fit the fashion criteria?
Now, lets try to answer some of these questions.
Do I really have to be a size 0 to 4?
The answer depends on the type of model you want to be. If your goal is to do high fashion, the answer is yes.
If you want to explore other modeling jobs, the answer is no.
there are many types of models.
The list is:
- fit models
- high fashion
- commercial
- parts model
- plus size model
- glamor model
- alternative model
- spokesmodel
- promo model
- trade show model
and the list goes on….
Now you don’t have to be wafer thin to become a model, well, for anything other than high fashion.
The modeling industry is open to everyone, all body types and sizes. If you want to be a model have a look at the list of different types of modeling and then decide the one you want to be. The world is filled with beautiful women, but not everyone can be a model, it takes a special person to do this. The most important ingredients are confidence and to believe in yourself.
High Fashion / Editorial models
The most popular type of model and what we normally equate with a model is the high fashion model. You know the one that struts down Paris runways with all eyes and cameras on her. This is the hardest modeling field to get into and is very competitive. Not only do you have very stringent physical requirements to enter, but you also need a good amount of luck to break in since most young girls who want to model see this as the modeling job they want. This is the type of model we see on popular reality shows as well such as America’s next top model, project runway and others. Modeling jobs including top designer runway campaigns, fashion collections, editorials and makeup contracts are reserved for the top editorial/fashion models.
The stats: High Fashion models are generally 5?9? to 6? tall and are a very thin size 0-6 (120-122 lbs for a 5?9? model.) They have 32-35? busts, 22-25? waists and 33-36? hips. High fashion models also have strong and distinctive features many times.
Commercial and print models
The height requirements are more relaxed here. Commercial models are models who are not a household name and may not be in the spotlight or limelight like their high fashion counterparts. Models are photographed to promote a product on various media such as catalogs, mailers, brochures, etc. There is a huge amount of work for commercial models who push products from teeth whiteners to handbags on the mainstream. Commercial models are meant to look like the girl next door and appeal to consumers.
This type of modeling can be divided into two sections: Fashion Advertising and Product Advertising.
Catalog models
These models sell everyday products to average people. You may not be modeling the latest Channel line, more like the Martha Stewart collection of home goods or the Sears apparel catalog. Catalog modeling often provides regular work and pay is usually generous. Requirements are flexible.
Runway models
This has very stringent requirements for height and weight. Runway or high fashion is considered the most glamorous type of live modeling, think Victoria’s secret, Channel and others. It requires a lot of confidence and grace plus a great agency behind you.
There are runway models that do not make it to high fashion yet make a good living modeling mainstream lines, plus sizes and local fashion shows.
Child /Teen/Junior models
Children and teens can find work in many different types of modeling including fashion shows, catalog modeling and commercials. Some teen models do get into reputable agencies and go on to high fashion. Many of today’s top models started off as teens.
Teen models are generally called Junior models. Junior models must be 5?6? to 5?8? tall and 12 to 17 years old with very youthful looks. They usually have 32-34? busts, 21-25? waists and 32-34? hips.
Petite models
These models do just about everything, photography, fit modeling, trade shows, and swim wear. Models today come in different sizes and body types.
Specialty models or parts models
These models do print work for a single body part. Do you have long, gorgeous fingers and hands, well, you may be able to be a hand model pushing gold rings or polish. Great teeth? Perfect feet? yep, these models are also in demand to model specific products.
Their specialties are modeling jewelery, cosmetics, nail polish, hand lotion, shoes, hosiery, shampoo, etc.
Convention / trade show models
These models can be seen demonstrating automobiles, appliances, cosmetics, or new products at trade shows or conventions. The most important thing here is the ability to interact with consumers and have a great, inviting smile. Some of these models land commercial contracts.
Plus Size and Full Figure models
Normally the plus size model is tall, 5’8″ or above and a size 8 or larger. These models show off clothing lines made for the bigger woman. Plus size does not mean fat. Plus size means a curvier body type and and a larger breast size. The models must still be in perfect shape with good muscle tone.
Fit models
The models that you never see. These are the models that help designers fit their clothing. There are very strict height and weight guidelines, sometimes more stringent that high fashion. The garment is cut for their body type. You never see this type of model but these are the ones that our clothes are measured from. The fit model must maintain their weight and size to work in this segment of the industry. The pay is normally very good and work is year round.
Supermodels
Supermodels are highly paid, top fashion models. These celebrities appear on top fashion magazine covers and in fashion shows. These are the celebrity models and are a very small percent of the working model pool. They are employed by top fashion houses and top fashion magazines. They travel the world for fashion shows.
Lisa Fonssagrives may have been the first supermodel (Sorry Janice Dickinson) Her image appeared on over 200 Vogue covers and her name recognition led to the future importance of Vogue in shaping future supermodels. Lisa’s Her image appeared on cover of every fashion magazine during the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s from Town & Country, Life and Vogue to the original Vanity Fair. Model Janice Dickinson, claims to have coined the term supermodel over a phone conversation with her agent in which she states see said “I’m not superman, I’m a supermodel”.
Other notable supermodels and : Twiggy, Gia Carangi, Tyra Banks, Christie Brinkley, Niki Taylor, Rachel Hunter, Christy Turlington, Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista, Elle Macpherson,Alessandra Ambrosio, Carolyn Murphy, Laetitia Casta, Natalia Vodianova, Adriana Lima, Karolína Kurková, Daria Werbowy, Gemma Ward, Ana Beatriz Barros, Fernanda Tavares, Isabeli Fontana and Heidi Klum, Stephanie Seymour, Claudia Schiffer, Gisele Bündchen, and Kate Moss.
Notable male models include Tyson Beckford, Chad White, Marcus Schenkenberg and Evandro Soldati.
Glamour models
Glamour models can get much work but most but be OK with nudity. Most glamour models pose for men’s magazines or private sexually explicit shoots. There are no products to promote and most shoots revolve around the model and how seductive she can look. Because of the nudity involved, glamour models can demand higher pay.
Typically the sexuality of the model is emphasized in glamour photography, while in fashion photography the emphasis is on the clothes.
Alternative modeling
This is modeling for a certain subsection of the population that may not be mainstream such as heavily tattooed, pierced, etc. This form of modeling also does not promote products or fashion and usually centers on the model herself and her edgy, alternative look.