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(This particular post is in reference to male models seeking to do fashion and runway modeling only, not commercial/print.)
So I realize that many of my posts are directed at female models because, well, there are so many of them out there! But I do acknowledge and recognize the male models out there, too, and believe me I do my best to try and squeeze in posts that relate to you guys as well. While I will say that much of the information I provide (casting calls, submitting to agencies, etc.) can be applied to male modeling as well, I don't want anyone to get confused or feel they have to sort out exactly what applies to females and what applies to males so I decided to start trying to do more posts for male models or those aspiring to be one.
So I realize that many of my posts are directed at female models because, well, there are so many of them out there! But I do acknowledge and recognize the male models out there, too, and believe me I do my best to try and squeeze in posts that relate to you guys as well. While I will say that much of the information I provide (casting calls, submitting to agencies, etc.) can be applied to male modeling as well, I don't want anyone to get confused or feel they have to sort out exactly what applies to females and what applies to males so I decided to start trying to do more posts for male models or those aspiring to be one.
The height factor is not just an issue with female models but male models as well. Unfortunately, there are even less "exceptions to the rule" when it comes to male models than female models. There are definitely the Kate Mosses of the world but as far as I know (and feel free to comment and educate me!) there aren't any male models out there are are short but still super successful or fall into the supermodel realm.
In general, people think of men as being handsome, ruggard, sexy, and...tall! Height for men is super important, especially for photoshoots. I mean, if you're posing next to a female that is 5'10" without heels and is wearing 4 inch heels and you're next to her, you should be able to stand your ground, height-wise. So what are the requirements for male models?
In general, the majority (not all) of agencies that sign on fashion/runway male models set a height range of between 5'10"-6'2". The more picky ones set the minimum height at 5'11". And yes, as with female models, there is such a thing as being "too tall." Male models can usually get away with 6'3" but any taller than that, and most agencies will more than likely pass on you. I came across a beautiful male model (I use the term "beautiful" for men when it comes to modeling--just a thing of mine I guess!) via one of the online modeling communities I'm a part of and I felt so bad for him because he had been searching for an agency for a long time and kept getting rejected because he stands at 6'5". Yikes!
For the male models or aspiring male models out there that don't meet the height requirement for fashion/runway, I don't have much advice to give you except to give freelance modeling a shot and definitely seek out commercial/print agencies. If you want, you can still submit your information to fashion/runway agencies but just be prepared to be told that you are too short. I'm sure there are plenty of male models out there that are considered too short by agency standards but still mange to have a career doing it freelance, part-time or pursuing other categories of modeling, so that could totally be an option if you are willing to work and network hard enough. But it is important to point out that if you're under 5'9"--actually, under 5'10" to be more realistic--your chances of being a signed agency model for fashion/runway will be lowered greatly, meaning that a career in fashion/runway modeling may not be a reality for you. And that's okay. Not being able to be a fashion model is not the end all and be all of life. Take it as a lesson learned and move on to something you are more suited for...there are plenty of other modeling niches where you can the perfect fit.
27 comments:
Wait a minute, Mark Wahlberg is only 5'8(173cm)that's quite short compared to others yet he was the face of CK underwear and dubbed as the hottest hunk alive. Height is not really a problem. Same thing goes for Swedish soccer star,Frederik Ljunberg who's stood proudly with the height 176cm and chosen again by CK to be their boxers model. I give full credit and appreciation to Calvin Klein who proved to be fair and square by not just looking at their height but also charm and confidence.
Anonymous, thanks for the comment. I replied to it in its own post titled, "Addressing a Reader Comment #1." Thanks for reading!
I give full credit and appreciation to Calvin Klein who proved to be fair and square by not just looking at their height but also charm and confidence.
to be fair, both Mark Wahlberg and Frederik does not start their career as model. They become famous by doing something else, and then jump into modelling (the print ad) The advertiisng in theose CK underwear was more focused on the name both guys carries, hence their height plays small role.
I doubt any of the two would be chosen for a runway model if they are not famous initially before modelling.
I am 20 years old, and have always been called good looking and handsome to the mostly every woman I've met from 16 and up and have been told on many occasions I should atleast try to model my face, although I stand at a mere 5'9" I wouldn't know where to start.
Hi, Anonymous! You'll find the answer to your question in its own post, titled "Answering a Reader Question #166." Thanks for reading!
There's a lot of short male models these days. Even a lot of notable actors, singers, and athletes that are short have been male models as well, yet they are very attractive.
Also, should male models be careful of shady female photographers, or sleazy girls with cameras? Because I've been hearing from a lot of male models about them and that they were complaining about female photographers just taking photos of guys, even in an inappropriate matter which made them feel uncomfortable, behaving in inappropriate ways, and using their photos without their consent and how they had violent confrontations with them and called them nasty names like slut, tramp, whore, etc. especially when these female photographers were ranging from the later teens to middle age and even teenage male models had violent and destructive arguments with them as well. Believe it or not, there could be shady female photographers, or clients out there and some male models will just deal with them through violence and insults.
Hi, Anonymous! You'll find the answer to your question in its own post, titled "Answering a Reader Question #217." Thanks for reading!
I have the same problem as your 6'5" mate. I'm 6'7" and am told repeatedly I have an excellent look but I'm too tall.
It's frustrating because if there is a 6' Girl in heals we would look great together but I'd make all the 6'2" Guys look like midgets.
I'd can understand runway but for Photographic work I fail to see the problem. I still fit regular clothes for the most part.
Josh
j.d.patterson@hotmail.com
Addressing the first comment. . . yes Mark Wahlberg was the face of CK underwear and the soccer star Frederik Ljunberg was chosen to model the CK boxers, but the only reason why they were picked is because they aren't models. They are celebrities, which means that they will be able to advertise the product better because more people know who they are. Take Kim Kardashian for example, she models for several different ad campaigns but only because she is a tv personality star and she is famous. More people know her name, and with her undeniable beauty, women want to look like her and men want her. So they use her to help sell their merchandise, its a trick advertising experts use to generate more publicity for the product and increase sales.
My son is absolutely gorgeous. We hear this all the time. He has a killer smile and the small body frame which will never get much bigger. I would like to get his face out there but dont know where to start. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance for the help
Hi, MinnieS! You'll find the answer to your question in its own post, titled "Answering a Reader Question #331." Thanks for reading!
Totally nonsense. I'm sorry. For runway modeling, you are deff right. But why not doing printing/commercial, editorial, fit, body parts, modeling? Petit modeling as well. Shorter guy CAN work as a model too, who said they can't? If they are really handsome, have a great personality, take care of their body, got that attitude, they can deff be succesfull and for your information; in some cases, they can make more money than those other runway ones. So, review your concepts before saying and confirming things that you dont really know about. Thanks and have a good one.
Hi, Jussara!
The point of my post was directed specifically at aspiring male models wanting to get into runway and fashion modeling, not commercial/print. If you read my other blog posts, of which there are many, I have plenty of posts that deal with commercial/print, parts and other types of modeling. I also have updated my readers to be on the lookout for a future series of male-specific posts that will cover a lot of various types of modeling as it relates to their gender. So for my readers that are in the know, they're aware that this post is about fashion and runway.
I made adjustments to this post to make it more clear that I am referring to the height requirement in the perspective of fashion and runway agencies. I keep forgetting that many new readers take things out of context, don't realize that a specific post is meant for a specific subject or assume something about my blog based on one post. Trust me, I'm not that naive to think that shorter male models can't make it in the industry.
Thanks for the comment and you have a good one, too.
I'm 14 and 510 will I ever get to 6 feet
Hi, Anonymous! You'll find the answer to your question in its own post, titled "Answering a Reader Question #427," which can be found on my new blog: "Modeling 101 - Answering Readers Questions."
Please visit this link: http://amodelsdiary-readerquestions.blogspot.com/ and you can view your post there. Thanks for reading!
Hi i am 17 and 5'10 and i really want to be a model, ive been told by my doctor that i will at least grow to be 5'11. however i am also overweight(193lb) and ive been told my doctor that by my bmi if i were at leqst drop down to 170-175lb that i can get peetty tall. and another thing that i was really worried about in modeling is. i feel like in modeling. photographers and fashion designers look for the "angel" look which what i mean by they tend to photograph people who have multicolored hair and light eyes. I am half puerto rican/african american. i have basically all of my fathers features(light skin, face structure, lips you name it) so im scared that i may not land in an angency. Is 5'10 a good height?
Hi, Anonymous! You'll find the answer to your questions in its own post, titled "Answering a Reader Question #440," which can be found on my new blog: "Modeling 101 - Answering Readers Questions."
Please visit this link: http://amodelsdiary-readerquestions.blogspot.com/ and you can view your post there. Thanks for reading!
Hi! My son is interested in modeling. He is 14 and 6' We want to get started, and are in the process of making comp cards. He is too tall for children's, but is seen as too young for adult open calls. I know the Industry loves young girls on the runway, but what are the chances for a young boy?
Hi, Anonymous! You'll find the answer to your questions in its own post, titled "Answering a Reader Question #441," which can be found on my new blog: "Modeling 101 - Answering Readers Questions."
Please visit this link: http://amodelsdiary-readerquestions.blogspot.com/ and you can view your post there. Thanks for reading!
i am 5'10 and skin is dark my friends says that agencies look for fair models so i want to ask can i be a model and i am from india.(u look beautiful)
Hi, Harsh Singh! You'll find the answer to your questions in its own post, titled "Answering a Reader Question #513," which can be found on my new blog: "Modeling 101 - Answering Readers Questions."
Please visit this link: http://amodelsdiary-readerquestions.blogspot.com/ and you can view your post there. Thanks for reading!
My son is 22 years old, 6'5" chiseled and very good looking. Everyone tells him he should be modeling - even the guys he works with. Is there any opportunity for him out there? Where does one go to get noticed??
Thanks
Gary
Hi, Gary! You'll find the answer to your questions in its own post, titled "Answering a Reader Question #533," which can be found on my new blog: "Modeling 101 - Answering Readers Questions."
Please visit this link: http://amodelsdiary-readerquestions.blogspot.com/ and you can view your post there. Thanks for reading!
Hi........!
I m shahwaz i m 20 & 5'9 and 128lb. Cn i b a fashion model. Plz hlp me. Thank u fr d post..:)
Hi, Shahwaz! You'll find the answer to your questions in its own post, titled "Answering a Reader Question #571," which can be found on my new blog: "Modeling 101 - Answering Readers Questions."
Please visit this link: http://amodelsdiary-readerquestions.blogspot.com/ and you can view your post there. Thanks for reading!
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