Skip to main content

Knowing a Bit About Fashion Doesn't Hurt

Sometimes we tend to think of certain areas in the modeling industry as being black and white. But there are times when things overlap and I believe that is true when it comes to fashion. Most of us believe that unless we plan on becoming fashion or runway models, then having some knowledge of fashion isn't necessary--however, that isn't entirely true.

The more you know about your craft--even if some parts don't apply to you--can only help you, not hurt you. When it comes to clothes and fashion I believe that it is helpful to learn the basics. That goes for both male and female models, regardless of what type of modeling you do.

Even shorter models have to deal with clothes and wardrobe for photoshoots and in those cases, it is great to know what you're talking about--mainly when you're dealing with a wardrobe stylist. The people that are responsible for putting together your outfits for a shoot are fashionistas in their own right and in order to help them do their job better when working with you, it's good to be able to speak their language.

I'm not saying you need to become a fashionista or take some classes in fashion design. When I say learn the basics about fashion, I really mean the basics. For example, I have a shoot coming up for Microsoft and I was told to expect a phone call from the wardrobe stylist.

When I got that call she asked me a few questions about my wardrobe and while coordinating what clothing items I needed to bring, she asked me to describe the items in detail. And that meant going beyond what color it was. Because I learned some basic fashion speak, I was able to paint her a picture of what I would be bringing. This made it much easier for her to advise me on what to wear.

There are other times when they'll simply tell you what to bring and will supply the rest at the shoot. But for the times when you have to talk to the wardrobe stylist and need to explain what you have, basic fashion speak will make everything go off without a hitch.

When it comes to describing clothing items, even the colors can be expanded upon. We all know there are different shades of many colors. Make sure you know how to describe your clothes when it comes to colors.

For example: instead of saying a "red" shirt, you can expand on that by saying you have a "magenta" shirt, or a "wine colored" shirt. It doesn't have to be super fancy. Some colors come in vivid shades, while others are more pastel (think of pastels as a somewhat "faded" shade of color--pastel green and ivy green are two totally different colors and could make a big difference in a photoshoot).

Learn about style and cuts. Some common fashion speak includes the following:

- Baby Tee
- Tank Top
- Baby Doll
- Scoop Neck
- V-Neck
- Turtleneck
- Ribbed
- Sheer
- Camisole
- 3/4 Length Sleeves
- Dress Shirt
- Polo
- T-Shirt
- Sweater
- Peasant Top
- Denim
- Wool
- Satin
- Polyester
- Capris
- Wide-Leg
- Boot-Cut
- Shorts
- Skinnies
- Skirts
- Coat
- Jacket
- Shawl
- Sundress

Shoes:

- Heels
- Pumps
- Dress Shoes
- Sneakers
- Wedges
- Platforms
- Flats

There are plenty more terms you can look up on your own but I would imagine that most of you have these items in your closets. There are tons of fashion websites and online magazines that specialize in fashion and come with tons of photos. Visit such sites and see what you can learn. The more you know, the easier it will be to communicate with wardrobe stylists, photographers, clients, and whoever else is in charge of preparing you for a shoot.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Modeling and Weight

One of the first things I hear potential models ask is what the weight requirement for modeling is. Sometimes that is the main issue they worry about when it comes to pursuing modeling. Let me tell you right now that weight should NOT be one of those concerns. Obviously, the height requirement reigns supreme when measuring up to the modeling standards sought out by agencies. If you meet the height requirements--whether it's for fashion and runway or commercial/print--that is the first step towards starting on the path to modeling. How much you weigh shouldn't be your biggest fear. It is rare that anyone can look at someone and say, "Oh, my gosh, he/she looks like they are 5 pounds over our weight requirement!" It just isn't realistic. If you look at many modeling agency websites, they clearly list the age and height requirements--rarely, if at all do they list any weight restrictions. The general rule of thumb when it comes to weight is that for models who ...
6 comments
Read more

Modeling & Pay Rates: How Much Should You Charge?

(This post is more targeted towards freelance models and not those with agency representation, although it may apply to those that have an agent but continue to find their own work.) A part of being a successful model is making money from the jobs that you book. However, being a freelance model comes with many challenges--figuring out what you should charge is one of them. I will say upfront that there are no established black and white rules when it comes to pay rates. Each modeling job is different, each client is different and budgets vary. Ultimately the factors that should influence what you charge should be the amount of experience you have, the strength of the images in your portfolio and the client's budget/needs. Not every client is going to pay what you want to charge. There may be times when you will be skipped over for charging too much or taken advantage of for charging too little. It's going to happen so be prepared for it and do not take it personally. It...
37 comments
Read more

What Are Male Models Supposed to Look Like?

The modeling world is filled with women. That's never been a secret and sadly, that often means male models fall by the wayside. There are successful male models in all categories across the industry but the fact that the modeling business revolves around women can make it challenging for newbies to figure out how to pursue their goals of male modeling. It is important to know that because there are different types of modeling categories out there, that means there are also different types of male models. They aren't all supposed to look alike and what ends up being in demand does change every year. Let's break down the common attributes that come with male modeling in various popular categories, shall we? THE MALE FASHION/RUNWAY/EDITORIAL MODEL These are the typical types of models most of us tend to think of when it comes to men in modeling. What is important to know and understand if you're an aspiring male model is that agencies have all different looks ...
4 comments
Read more