Answering a Reader Question #72

Anonymous Wrote:

Hi.
i'm interested in being a fashion model. i wouldn't mind not walking runways, but i do want to travel the world (milan, paris, new york, etc.) to do shoots for top designers. i'm not sure if this part of fashion/runway model.
anyways i'm 18, i'm going to turn 19 in october. i realized i want to be model right when i turned 18 so i started on clearing my skin. my doctor gave retin-a and he said my face will have to get worse before it gets better:( so it's not april and my face is clear except from ACNE SCARS :( my doctor said with continous treatment they should be gone by july. however if i sign to a local agency to get some work so i can transfer to a big agency like Ford, will i be too old. i feel like i would be 20 by then after all the work. sry this is so long, i'm just wondering with all the baby steps i have to take, will 19-20 (i'm guessin) be too old for the kind of modeling i want to do in new york. i'm 5'8 by the way. again sry for the long post.

Hi, Anonymous, and thanks for the question. The type of modeling you are talking about is fashion/runway modeling. You meet the minimum height requirement so that is good. 20 in the fashion world is considered a bit older BUT that does not necessarily mean that you won't have a shot. If you end up signing to a local agency before making the move to a larger market, you will still be able to build a career for yourself and put together a strong portfolio. So even if you are 20 by the time you would have a chance to get signed to a bigger agency like Ford, you would at least have your portfolio and resume of work to show them that you have the potential and already have experience in the industry, which could make you a stronger candidate compared to a new model with no experience who is 20-years-old.

What is important is that you look youthful. As long as your complexion is clear by the time you start seeing agencies and you don't have any fine lines, wrinkles or other signs of aging or sun damage, I don't see where you would have a problem. However, New York is one of the toughest markets to break into so be prepared for high standards, strict requirements and harsh criticism--that goes for anyone wanting to do fashion and runway modeling in New York, so don't think that I'm just targeting you. =)

Ultimately, the only way you'll find out whether you have what it takes is to start attending the NY agency casting calls once your skin is clear of the acne scars and you're ready to move on to a larger market. Good luck!

Comments

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

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

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

Modeling 101 - A Model's Diary

Search This Blog