(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!
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.
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.
Comments
I doubt any of the two would be chosen for a runway model if they are not famous initially before modelling.
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
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.
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Thanks
Gary
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I m shahwaz i m 20 & 5'9 and 128lb. Cn i b a fashion model. Plz hlp me. Thank u fr d post..:)
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I think male models ( as an aside I don't like using the word boy which I think connotes that male models are 12 or 13 years old) should be between 6'2" and 6'5". if the average female model is 5'9" - 6'0" and is in all likelihood wearing heals, she will be in the neighborhood of 6'1" to 6'3". This is only a couple of inches shorter than the male counterpart. I think the average male mode needs to be at least 2 - 3 inches taller than their female counterpart.
Having short (5'9", 5'10") male models looks silly on the runway next to a 6'3" (with 5 inch heels) female model.
I know my next statement isn't politically correct, but I think models ( in particularity runway) should be tall and regal looking. Setting a high (pardon the pun) standard.
If I were running an Agency, I would consider anyone shorter than 6'2" as a male model.
Werner Schreyer is 178cm/5'10 as an answer to your text below:
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.
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May I have your honest opinion, please? It is about my look, and age. I am 16/07/89 years old. All the agencies I have applied to by online submission said that I am not right for them, and that I should contact other agencies on the AMA list. Some agencies did not reply at all. Others said they are not looking for models of my type right now. What does all this mean?
But, I just wanted to know if my look is any potential. I have emailed asking agencies about my look vs potential, but is not given a straight forward answer. They just simply not answer, or, they tell me about some other agency. How can I send you photo's so you may assess my suitability for the industry? I would truly appreciate your brutality.
I would be more than happy to answer your questions and hopefully clarify things for your situation. You can send photos, questions and anything else on your mind directly to my email address: daniadenise@gmail.com
I look forward to hearing from you and hopefully getting you pointed in the right direction, no brutality necessary. ;-)
My 19 year old son is elegant, handsome .... and 6' 7" !! He has been asked many times if he 'models'. Is his height totally out of the question?
Dawn.
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Since you're commenting on this post about male models, I'm going to assume that you are a male. I apologize but I couldn't tell based on your name alone. Given your age and height, you are currently ideal for commercial/print modeling. Most fashion/runway modeling agencies want their male models to be at least 6'0". Very few accept shorter than that but it would be a good idea for you to do an online search for agencies within a 2 hour's drive from where you live and checking out their websites to see what the height requirements for their male models are and then goig from there.
Best of luck to you!
What are the names of the 5'4" female supermodel and 5'9" male supermodel? When trying to debate the height issue, stating that there are "short supermodels" doesn't really hold any weight if you don't inlude the names of those individuals. I'm not saying that you're wrong but without a name to look up those people, no one can readily believe that statement.
If the short supermodels you're thinking of are celebrities (i.e. actors, singers, TV personalities, athletes, etc), then that doesn't count because it was their celeb status and not their height that allowed them to get into modeling. Mark Whalberg is a prime example of this.
I definitely agree with your message about being positive and working hard but it's really important to have solid evidence to support your claim about short supermodels to avoid giving false hope to shorter male models who should focus on getting into print modeling if they realistically can't be considered for agency representation as high fashion/runway models.
My article is speaking in generalities about the subject of male models and height so it's meant to be taken in a broad way and isn't super specific.
The list of ANTM winners, which are mostly female (and therefore not really relevant to this particular article dealing with male models and height), range from 5'6.5" to 6'2" (http://www.wetpaint.com/antm-winners-how-tall-are-they-694629/) so they are all over the place in regards to height.
My article states (in regards to 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"."
Fashion agencies are always going to favor taller models, which is why I state in the article about the minimum versus maximum height requirements and why that's something for aspiring male models to keep in mind.
Just today I was in London and visited 4 well known agencies. Premier, Models1, Select and Next. All of them said my height of 6'4" was too tall for them, 3 of them said their max is 6'2 and one of them said their absolute max is 6'3. This was really frustrating as I have 'the look', blonde and thin etc but I'm only 1 inch out? Seems a bit crazy but they did explain it to me how it really is important in terms of clothing/fitting. Considering they were all editorial agencies which seek very unique individuals I feel I should've have visited commercial based agencies instead. My look is more traditional and better suited commercially I was told. Also I apparently am too broad (shoulders) for editorial as they have very slim models.
Soon I will visit London again and instead, focus on commercial agencies and hope for the best that someone will be interested in a tall fella.
Bear in mind for tall models, smaller males of 6'1 would get more jobs than a male of 6'4; and considering the modelling career is very inconsistent in itself, for a 6'4 male it seems like it would be practically unemployed. Either way I will still persist.
Thanks for reading.
Thank you for sharing your story here, I'm sure my male readers greatly appreciate hearing from you!
That is definitely frustrating to be told you're too tall even though you have everything else on the checklist. The fact that the agencies shared that insight with you and explained their requirements is great, however, as not all agencies would even take the time out to bother.
While the outcome with the fashion/editorial agencies didn't work out, it's good that you came away from it understanding why (although I don't agree of course, haha) and know that it isn't anything personal. It's just business as usual.
I hope you'll keep me/my readers updated about your experiences with the commercial agencies. I know they usually work with shorter models (male and female alike) but it would be very inspirational I'm sure to the taller male models out there who may not be sure whether or not commercial would be a viable option for them.
I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!!!
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I don't know if you are male or female but I am assuming you are male because you are commenting on this post about male models. If so, at the height of 5'8" you would be ideal for commercial/print modeling, which does not have strict height requirements. Fashion agencies prefer their male models be very tall...5'10" is considered on the shorter side in large markets so at your height you should check out the websites of agencies in your area that represent commercial/print models.
Hope that helps!
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