Fashion Model
A fashion model is a professional who works in the fashion and advertising industries, primarily promoting products by posing for photographs, displaying garments on runways, and participating in various media campaigns. Models play a crucial role in showcasing clothing, accessories, and beauty products, often collaborating with fashion designers, photographers, and directors. They frequently work in diverse environments, from studios to outdoor locations, and face irregular hours, requiring stamina and adaptability. Physical appearance is a significant factor in this career, with models expected to maintain certain aesthetic standards and be aware of current fashion trends.
While there are no formal educational requirements, aspiring models often benefit from coursework in communications, fashion, and the arts, along with practical experience through modeling schools. A successful modeling career typically involves signing with an agency, auditioning for jobs, and maintaining a professional portfolio. The occupation demands resilience, a positive attitude, and the ability to work with a variety of people, from fellow models to creative teams. Overall, modeling can be a dynamic and challenging career that offers opportunities for creativity and self-expression within the fashion industry.
Fashion Model
Snapshot
Career Cluster(s): Business, Management & Administration
Marketing, Sales & Service
Interests: Fashion, Advertising, Fashion Design, Fitness, Entertainment
Earnings (Yearly Median): $47,430 per year $22.80 per hour
Employment & Outlook: 0% (Little or no change)
Entry-Level Education No formal educational credential
Related Work Experience None
On-the-job-Training None
Overview
Sphere of Work. Models work in the fashion and advertising industries, helping promote a wide variety of products or campaigns by posing for photographs, artwork, and other mediums or by modeling apparel and accessories on fashion runways. Models generally appear in print and online advertisements, television commercials, and in front of live audiences in order to demonstrate the merits of a particular product, style, or campaign. Most models work with modeling agencies, fashion designers, photographers, and directors and must adhere to the physical requirements set forth by their employers.
Work Environment. Models work in a variety of settings and are required to work in numerous locations. Many models work in indoor studios under strong lights and must stand, pose, or walk for extended periods of time. They also work outdoors, often in extreme weather conditions, including cold water, snow, and extreme heat. Elite models are usually required to travel extensively, often to international and remote locations. They rarely follow a normal schedule and regularly work weekends, evenings, and additional hours during peak seasons such as spring and fall. Some models work from home or in small studios, and mainly model on the internet and social media.
Occupation Interest. A model’s physical appearance is of the utmost importance. Generally speaking, models must maintain their weight, be physically attractive, possess healthy hair and skin, and, in most cases, meet certain height requirements. (For specific models, such as a hand model, the value lies in the appearance and health of the hand.) Those interested in pursuing a career in modeling must also be familiar with and passionate about the latest trends in fashion, photography, and the beauty industry. Models must also demonstrate a positive, “can-do” attitude and be willing to spend extended periods of time away from home.
A Day in the Life—Duties and Responsibilities. Most models sign with modeling agencies, which promote models and help them find employment in exchange for a percentage of earnings made. In order to be hired for fashion shows, photography shoots, or any other projects, models generally must audition or attend “go-sees,” where prospective employers will evaluate their physical appearance, movement, and past modeling experience. Models are expected to handle and maintain a photographic portfolio, current headshots, composite cards, and current measurements. Once chosen for a project, a model will learn about the details and duration of the project from his or her agent.
Models usually accept a combination of commercial, editorial, and catalog work. Before a photo shoot, models are styled by makeup, hair, and clothing artists. When working in a studio or at an outdoor location, models may be required to use facial expressions and bodily movements to convey different emotions. Models take direction from photographers or directors and are expected to quickly and flawlessly change and alter their poses and expressions when asked to do so. During fashion shows, models walk, pose, and exhibit clothing in front of a live audience. Models who pose for painters, artists, or sculptors usually work in a private, more intimate setting.
To prepare for a photo shoot or other job, successful models find it beneficial to research and understand the company, brand, or products they will represent. On a typical day, most models travel to far more “go-sees” and auditions than paid jobs. Building a career as a model takes persistence, an unflappable demeanor, and lots of energy—many days can be longer than the typical eight-hour workday, and a positive attitude helps models secure future employment and develop industry contacts.
Work Environment
Immediate Physical Environment. Modeling is a career with a demanding schedule, irregular hours, and work in a variety of locations. Work environments vary from extremely comfortable to difficult and stressful to sometimes glamorous.
Human Environment. Models work with a number of different people and must easily adapt to diverse personalities and attitudes. They regularly interact with other models, agents, photographers, designers, project directors and producers, makeup artists, and other stylists.
Technological Environment. Models must be comfortable using equipment related to their craft, including makeup kits, digital and print portfolios, cumbersome clothing and accessories, hairstyling tools, sewing accessories, and telecommunication tools. They must be extremely comfortable in front of a camera or multiple cameras. Social media models must be comfortable navigating social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter). They may also utilize online video-sharing platforms like YouTube.
Education, Training, and Advancement
High School/Secondary. There are no formal educational requirements for people looking to pursue a career in modeling. High school students who wish to pursue modeling after graduation should study communications, fashion, public speaking, photography, digital video, and other general arts courses. They should also practice posing, moving, and expressing themselves in front of a camera. Aspiring models find it helpful to obtain professional photographs, which they can then submit to modeling agencies as part of a modeling portfolio that typically consists of a headshot, several additional photos, an outline of their basic measurements, personal contact information, and other relevant information.
Postsecondary. Some prospective models attend modeling schools that offer practical training in vocational areas such as makeup application, posing techniques, still-photo shooting, image analysis, posture language, wardrobe, and runway movement. Modeling agencies regularly send representatives to look for and discover new talent at modeling schools. However, the majority of aspiring models move to an urban center after high school to pursue job opportunities and apprenticeships and to gain modeling experience.
Postsecondary training in acting, dance, and voice can also be beneficial to aspiring models since models are frequently asked to produce bold movements and intense facial expressions when being photographed and displaying clothes for an audience or a prospective employer.
Related Occupations
− Actor
Bibliography
Lindsay, Benjamin. "How to Become a Model." Backstage, 28 Feb. 2024, www.backstage.com/magazine/article/become-model-4598. Accessed 23 Aug. 2024.
"Models." My Next Move, 2024, www.mynextmove.org/profile/summary/41-9012.00. Accessed 23 Aug. 2024.
"Models." Occupational Outlook Handbook. Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, 17 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/ooh/sales/models.htm. Accessed 23 Aug. 2024.