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Answering a Reader Question #237

Tu Linh Wrote:


Hi Dania, my name is Tu Linh. I have a lot of things to ask you.
I'm Asian and do you think i can be a supermodel? I don't want to make fake noses though :-(.
I'm 9 and about to turn 10.
I don't think that modeling classes are in my country but what does exactly a modeling class does? Like Alessandra, she took modeling classes and...you can read it on Wikipedia.

...say that she took modeling class, and did she sign or what to start modeling for Dilston Stein? And how did she really end up at Victoria's Secret? Like you said which is the best agency? And after being signed ,they just take us to do photo shoot or what? Please answer, PLEASE!!!If at the age of 12-13 can I be signed , then when i get older can i change to Victoria's? They said that Candice was spotted when she was 15, but she just walk and took photos and then changed to Victoria's? How did she change to Victoria's Secret?And how did she became an angel then? Did she said to the agency to change or what? PLEASE ANSWER. And give me your email please I'd love to ask more about it. 

Hi, Tu Linh! I removed the middle part you pasted about Alessandra's modeling career, which you got from Wikipedia because it would have made this post very long and probably confusing for people to read. Plus, it also helps me focus on answering your questions. :-) Since you have a lot of questions in this post, I'll break them up by restating the question below, followed by the answer:

I'm Asian and do you think i can be a supermodel? I don't want to make fake noses though :-(.
I'm 9 and about to turn 10.

I personally could not tell you if you could be a supermodel because for one thing you are only 9--you have so much time to grow and develop physically. Not even a modeling agency could tell whether you'd be supermodel material at so young an age. I will say that if you can manage to grow to at least 5'8" by the time you hit your teen years, you'll have a shot at being eligible for fashion and runway modeling, which is the first step towards hoping to become a supermodel. Not many Asian women are known for being super tall but if height runs in your family, then you'll have a shot. That being said, if you don't grow to be 5'8" then sadly, supermodel status won't be possible for you, according to the modeling industry's standards as they currently are. And, no, you do not have to get a fake nose if that is not what you want. :-)

I don't think that modeling classes are in my country but what does exactly a modeling class does?

Modeling classes are all about teaching you how to pose, work in front of a camera, do the runway walk, beauty and skin care tips and modeling etiquette...things like that.

 ...say that she took modeling class, and did she sign or what to start modeling for Dilston Stein?

Dilson Stein is a model recruiter and when he discovered Alessandra, he more than likely used his influence to market her to agencies to get her signed, as well as use her in his own modeling projects. The details on that working relationship are not really clear so I couldn't tell you for sure exactly how things worked between them during that time.

And how did she really end up at Victoria's Secret?

Alessandra got into VS after being hired as a regular fashion model and walked in one of their shows back in 2000. She was already signed to a few different modeling agencies during this time. Her look and previous modeling career achievements undoubtedly caught the eye of the right people at VS, which is why she ultimately ended up becoming one of the faces of the company.

Like you said which is the best agency?

The best agencies for those hoping to become VS models are Elite and Ford out of the New York market. The next choices are any of the top fashion modeling agencies in the New York area. VS only recruits models that are working in New York so unless you're located there and/or work out of that market regularly, the chances of being considered by VS are extremely low.

And after being signed ,they just take us to do photo shoot or what?

After a model gets signed to an agency, they help set up her test shoot, which will give them the photos needed to put together a modeling portfolio, comp/zed card and headshot. These are the materials agencies use to market their models and get them exposure. They then send the model on casting calls and go-sees, which are a model's way of auditioning in order to book paying work.

 If at the age of 12-13 can I be signed , then when i get older can i change to Victoria's?

You don't "change" to Victoria's Secret. They are a company, not an agency. They hire models out of agencies for their projects. If you get signed at age 12-13, having a career started that young will work in your favor. However, for VS, you'd need to have Elite, Ford or another top fashion agency represent you in New York in order to be considered for VS. Since you said you are living in another country, you'd have to come to the USA (New York specifically).

They said that Candice was spotted when she was 15, but she just walk and took photos and then changed to Victoria's? How did she change to Victoria's Secret?And how did she became an angel then? Did she said to the agency to change or what?

As I stated above, Victoria's Secret "chooses/hires" models from agencies...they are not an agency themselves. Candice is a model who managed to get the attention of the people that recruit for Victoria's Secret. They then chose her as one of their models. She did not "change" to VS, they hired her to model for their shoots, catalogs and shows. Candice became an Angel by working her way up as a model in VS's projects. All VS models start off as regular company models and the ones that do really well are then "promoted" to Angel status. It's something that takes time and hard work to do to receive this type of recognition/title.

And give me your email please I'd love to ask more about it. 


Sure! You can email me at: daniadenise@gmail.com
_______________

Tu Linh Also Wrote:


And do i have to call the agency and come there to sign or, i really don't understand this. Or do i have to go on their website to post the picture of me and do you know the number?

The best way to submit to agencies is to visit their websites and follow the instructions. Some want you to post/upload your photos through their website, while others want you to email the pictures or put them in the regular mail. Others have open casting calls where you can go in person without an appointment. Each agency has their own rules so you have to follow what each one tells you. You can submit to as many as you want. Calling them is not a good idea because they are very busy so don't worry about their phone numbers. Look up the websites instead and go from there.
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