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How to be a Successful Model If You are Not Six Feet Tall

Posted: Thursday, July 28, 2011

When you think of modeling, do you picture 16 year old, waifish thin and very exotic looking girl? Fashion modeling is the most prestigious category of the modeling industry, because about a dozen of fashion models have actually achieved the status of celebrities.Fashion modeling industry is not open to everyone and has very strict standards: height, weight, age and measurement requirements.

Fashion models have to stay very thin to fit the clothes they are modeling, and even though many people in the industry might deny it, the pressure to have zero body fat is enormous in the fashion world. If you are lucky enough to actually get a modeling job, most editorial projects (such as magazines) don’t pay a lot, and it takes an average fashion model a few years to build up her portfolio to start getting big fashion campaigns and other high-paying modeling gigs.

The biggest problem of fashion modeling today is competition. Some girls did drugs. The atmosphere overall was extremely competitive, which reflected the way fashion modeling operates in general. The most common misconception about modeling is that the industry revolves around fashion. Closer look reveals, however, that fashion modeling is not the only option for someone who tries to be a model.

Commercial, fitness, fit and showroom, glamour and fetish, artistic, convention and parts modeling could be easier, less competitive and healthier options for the aspiring models.
You can make $3000 a day,” says Frank Marsi, commercial photographer, “You can also work much longer, there are commercial models in their late thirties.”

Catalogues, some billboards, most advertisements and TV commercials use commercial models. The height and weight requirements in commercial modeling are not as drastic as in fashion, and they very from job to job. A catalogue, for example, would require a taller model for clothes to look good, but an anti-balding shampoo ad would feature a middle-aged gentleman, who’d be the perfect model for that particular product.

To become a commercial model, you would need a composite card with about five pictures that look natural and pretty. Start by finding a good local commercial photographer, who’d shoot your photos. Then you can visit modeling agencies and show them your photos. To get into the world of TV commercials, the best option is to send your headshots to casting directors who cast for commercial work. Fitness modeling is obviously for the fit. Protein bar ads, health shakes ads, sports clothes ads, fitness magazines – they all use fitness models. Muscle And Fitness magazine photographer Brian Moss finds most of his models at fitness conventions and contests, although he sometimes looks for his models on the internet.

Moss says that fitness modeling is easy to break into, if you have the right look.” Fitness models should have great muscle definition and work out regularly. “There are many girls, there are many beautiful bodies, but there are very few beautiful girls with beautiful bodies. The pay for fitness magazine shoots is about $150 a day. Magazine jobs could lead to doing commercial fitness work, which pays more.

Fit and showroom modeling could be somewhat boring work, but it pays well. Showrooms pay about $300 a day and fittings pay $100-$200 an hour. Showroom models show the clothing samples to clients. Generally, showroom work is booked through agencies and it is very seasonal – it’s busy after the fashion show season.

Fit models have to be a specific size.
Female fit models range from size four to size 14, but size eight gets the most work For males it’s the medium size that fits the most. Fit models can keep working for a very long time as long as they keep their measurements. “Our oldest model gets the most work and she is in her 50’s,” says Rogo.

I do fit modeling quite frequently. The best way to become a fit model would be to visit your local fashion design school. Calling modeling agencies and asking if they have a fit division helps, too. More independent-minded fit models can try calling clothing companies directly.

Glamour, fetish and artistic modeling are for the brave among us. If you decide to model in these categories, be prepared to take your clothes off. There is more work for females, so male models should probably concentrate on other areas. Modeling agencies aren’t the best source of unconventional or nude work, so you might want to check out some web resources, such as glamourmodels.com or garageglamour.com. For those with exceptionally beautiful body parts, such as hands, feet, etc. there is parts modeling.

To get into this huge and well-paying market you would need photos of your best body part to show to modeling agencies in your area. Modeling can be very fun, exciting and well-paid work that doesn’t have to involve starving and breaking your high heels while walking to millions of castings. If you really want to model, you are likely to find your niche in that business. And remember, the most important qualities that make a good model, regardless of the category she or he chooses to work in, are: confidence, patience, persistence, and punctuality.

A. Haute-Couture Collections Take Paris Fashion Show By Storm
Paris fashion week is now over and the latest fashion sensations for the autumn/winter 2006/07 season have been released. The Dior show was themed around medieval armour and the Italian renaissance, with a touch of Blade Runner thrown in. Kylie Minogue delighted onlookers by gracing the Chanel show catwalk following her recent cancer recuperation. Karl Lagerfeld’s creations did not disappoint either with fantastic modern styled tweed creations, combined with denim boots and jeweled heels, three-quarter length coats, jeweled fingerless gloves which flirtatiously left the models shoulders bare, and tantalizing touches of brocade.

This year men were well represented in the fashion stakes, following on from years of conservative styling. Collections of monochrome suits, surfer style inspired prints and cutting-edge sportswear abounded with unisex portfolios presented in characteristic style by Jean Paul Gaultier, with possible Dior future designer, Kris Van Assche, displaying interchangeable his and hers suits.

Paris fashion is however more eternal than simply the high profile shows. Paris is a fashion Mecca. Armani, Chanel, Dior, Lacroix, Pierre Cardin, Yves Saint Laurent, Versace and Kenzo are just a few of the big names for those with deep pockets, while many smaller boutiques and shopping centres provide more affordable fashions for anyone wanting fantastic styles without the fantastic price tags, and there is always the ready-to-wear shows coming up in October to look forward to.

B. So What Do You Really Know About Fashion?
Fashion is extremely seductive, slightly elusive and ever changing. Dictionary.com defines fashion as:
• The prevailing custom or style, as in behavior or dress.
• The characteristic or style of the social elite.

To most people, fashion is a method of utilizing hair, accessories, and clothing to either hide or emphasize something about them. Moreover, fashion can be used to disguise the true self, yet it can also be utilized for self expression.

Whose opinion matters?
In fashion, the designers are the great influencers. Marc Jacobs, Louis Vuitton, and Miuccia Prada are some of the directional designers for remixing classics (Prada) or vintage-inspired styles (Jacobs).

Usually, there is a cycle that fashion follows for an upcoming season:
• Starting from about 5-6 months ahead, press people will start attending several fashion shows to see the designer collections.
• Opinion leaders (like socialites) and celebrities will usually be the first ones to wear these new trends, therefore spurring the public to accept it.

In today's world, there are only three major hubs for manufacturers and designers of accessories and fashion apparel - these are Milan, Paris, and New York. Although, you can also find excellent ones in Sao Paolo, Sydney, Hong Kong, Toronto, Los Angeles, and London.

The elements depicting the original piece will be turned into more acceptable pieces before they reach the store.
Experts say that the healthy way for you to approach fashion is to pay attention to it in small doses. Being in fashion shows that you are quite flexible and modern. For example, say your country is at war yet you wear the current season's fluffy ruffles, then you could temporarily break away from the harsh reality of your world through your clothes.

Your own interpretation of fashion speaks about your good taste.



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