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- Appear in photographs, catwalk shows or promotional events for companies
- You'll need to build resilience and confidence as this can be a highly competitive industry
- Great opportunities to travel, meet people and can sometimes help if you want to get into acting
DAY-TO-DAY DUTIES
- Model fashion items like accessories, cosmetics, garments, or jewellery.
- Feature in magazine, TV or online advertising.
Specialise in different types of modelling, such as:
- Photographic editorials for magazines
- Advertising for magazines
- Billboards
- Websites
- Social media
- TV commercials
- High fashion
- Catwalk
- In-house live modelling for designers and clothing wholesalers
- Hand modelling
- Promotional modelling like music videos
- Personal appearances
- Leaflets and brochures
- Alternative modelling
Fashion show modelling:
- Walk along a catwalk
- Turn to display clothes in front of an audience
- Work closely with stylists, hair and make-up artists, producers and directors
Photographic, advertising and promotional modelling:
- Take directions from photographers
- Pose for photographers in a studio or on location
- Act/deliver lines in TV commercials
DAY-TO-DAY ENVIRONMENT
You might work in fashion show venues, showrooms and stores, photographic studios or various other locations. The job can involve a lot of travel in the UK and overseas to attend castings, fashion shows and photoshoots and working hours could be long and irregular.
Earnings can vary widely depending on your experience and reputation within the modelling industry. You might work through an agent, who may take around 20% of your earnings.
You'll need
This role requires someone with good grooming and willingness to look after yourself, fashion sense and awareness of trends, confidence, self-reliance and discipline, a pleasant, professional attitude with good people skills, stamina and fitness to cope with long, tiring days and travelling, and the ability to cope with criticism and rejection.
There are no set requirements for this role, however, you'll need the right 'look' for the branch of modelling you want to go into - and this can change from season to season. Many high-fashion agencies look for models over a certain height and with specific features, but there are also specialist agencies who take on models with a range of different looks.
You'll usually start your career by going to a model agency in person or sending photographs and details of your measurements to them.
You'll need a good appearance and the right 'look' for the area of modelling you want to go into.
You should usually be well-proportioned for fashion modelling, with regular features and healthy skin, teeth and hair. For other types of modelling you would need to fit in with the look that modelling agencies want.
You don't need to do a modelling course or have an expensive portfolio of pictures. The British Fashion Model Agents Association has advice on what to expect from reputable agencies and how to avoid rogue ones.
There's a lot of competition for modelling jobs. You'll improve your chances of finding work if you build up a good portfolio and get experience and contacts.
You could develop your skills as a model by helping out with charity fashion shows.
Model agencies are not allowed to charge an up-front fee for you to join them.
You can join Equity for professional advice and to make industry contacts.
You'll need a license from your local council, if you start modelling before the legal school leaving age.
CAREER PROSPECTS
With experience, you could become a booker for a model agency, set up your own agency, or move into other areas of the fashion industry like styling and fashion journalism. You might also find opportunities in areas like TV presenting or acting.