Answering a Reader Question #340

Anonymous Wrote:

Hey Dania! :)

I love, love, love your blog! :D It's helped me a lot. So, thanks a ton. :)

Um, here's my problem:
I live in India, in a rather small town and I have big dreams to make it in the modelling world. My dreams, though, go beyond India, since the modelling scene here isn't equally as good as America. As soon as I turn 18, I'll be allowed to move out and pursue my passion. As of now, I'm 15 and my height is 5'7". Do you think agencies like Ford will be interested in me? If so, how should I proceed?
Also, I got stretch marks when I was 14, is it too late to minimise them now? I didn't really know how to go about with them until I saw your post.

I'm sorry for all the questions. Lol. :P Thanks, again. :)

Hi, Anonymous! I'm glad that my blog has been such a help to you...I love to hear that from my readers! :-)

In regards to your height, if you end up growing to at least 5'8" by the time you turn 18 and move to the U.S., then you'll be okay with submitting to agencies like Ford. 5'8" is the minimum height requirement for fashion agencies so that will get you in the door. However, if you're still 5'7" by the time you end up moving, you could find it difficult to sign with a fashion agency. Even though it is just one inch, in the modeling industry, agencies will scrutinize that difference a lot. Should you still be 5'7" when you get to the U.S., your other option would be to seek agencies that represent commercial/print models, since that is what your current height is ideal for.

Right now it's best to research the agency websites in the U.S. and see what specific requirements they have and what the methods of submission are. That way you'll be prepared and know what to send them or which agencies you'll visit for open casting calls when you move from India. Until then, there isn't much you can do since you said you won't be free to move out until you're 18.

As long as you treat your stretch marks now with the proper products (cocoa butter, other hydrating creams/lotions), it will prevent your current stretch marks from getting worse, as well as keep new ones from appearing. So get on top of that now because the longer you wait and the older the marks are, the more difficult/impossible they will be to treat.

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