Addressing a Reader Comment #7

Janasha Wrote:

I would love to become a VS Angel really.I think it shouldn't matter how tall you are because once you step into your heals your going to get tall anyways so why would it matter.I know that im going to be short , but I would love to become a VS Model its every girls dream and that dream is mine's.

Hi, Janasha! Unfortunately, until the modeling industry says otherwise, height does matter. Even if a short model wears 5-6 inch Stilettos to give her some height, the other models that are naturally tall will still tower over shorter models because they, too, will be wearing high heels. In fashion shows and similar projects where the models all appear next to each other, they're always going to want the models to be uniformly similar in height.

While I don't agree with the whole height requirement aspect to modeling, these standards have been in place for decades and take a long time to change enough to where much shorter models will have the same opportunities as the taller models. What you have to understand is that modeling, including VS modeling, is a business that makes millions/billions of dollars a year.

They keep things the way they are because so far it has continued to make profits for everyone involved. Sadly, what many aspiring/newbie models do not understand or fail to realize is that the people that hire models do not do so to make the model's dream come true--it's so they can hope to make the most money off of them, among other reasons.

It's not fair but it is the reality that all models have to work within. It's nice that VS modeling is a major dream/goal of yours but it won't be a realistic one to pursue unless the VS company changes its height requirements, which it won't anytime soon, unfortunately. However, I would advise that you find the right kind of modeling that your height qualifies you for and try to break into the industry that way.

Remember, you'll get better results by working with what you have instead of wishing for what you don't. If you focus all your efforts on trying to be a VS model when you know they won't accept you because of your shorter stature, you'll be missing opportunities and overlooking agencies that represent models of your height (I don't know how tall you are but if you're 5'5"-5'7" you're ideal for commercial/print).

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