Modeling age* How much of an issue is it?

soho101 · 06-08-2005

Hey guys! It's my first post on here, though I definitely have been lurking around for a bit, enjoying everyone's pictures ans posts!

Okay, I've got a question for some of the models on here or anyone really familiar with the industry, but first a little about me. I am an aspiring model, who in the next couple of weeks will start going to open calls and sending out some pictures to agencies. I was scouted once, yeeeeeeeeears ago, but my mom wouldn't stand for it so I couldn't at all. I was born and raised in NYC and am pretty familiar with how the whole process of becoming a (working) model works. Some of my friends model or style or are photographers, and I have always made it my business to follow up on articles pertaining to the industry. I'm 5'9 34-24.5-36(i'm not sending out my pics until i can lose an inch at least off my hips through diet and excercise).

My real issue though is that I am now 20 years old, and will be turning 21 in September. I didn't think this was really an issue though until I started reading an article on one of the threads about Adrienne Curry from ANTM and how at 21 she was told she was too old!! I am really concerned about that kind of rejection, i can handle things pertaining to my weight, body, even my look, but age??? Should I lie about my age? Or will my agency definitely know how old I am. Or is it more that I am truthful with all the agencies that I submit pics to and then they in turn lie to potential clients?? Or is 20/21 an okay age!! I know people get started waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay younger, so I am at least 5 years behind a lot of people, but I do think I have the look that's hot right now (big eyes, full lips) and I would hate it if my age held me back!!

Any feedback would be much much appreciated!!!

yourbestfriend · 06-08-2005

20 dosent sound too bad, many models start at 19, and 20 is usually the cut off age for agencies unless they believe you are incredible, Ann Markley from ANTM is 22 and is working quite a bit. I think the problem with adrianne is that she looked much much older, she had wrinkles around her mouth and etc.

and some agencies lie about their models ages too

but you may have a hard time unless they really love your look, or you look younger than your age.

soho101 · 06-08-2005

Thanks so much for the reply! I do actually look younger than my age, I get carded for rated R movies believe it or not. I've been told that I look somewhere between 16 and 18, though everyone looks older on a shoot with full hair and makeup while trying to look sexy...

perfect10 · 06-08-2005

Ok, 20 is quite a age to start model for a girl, but if you still look young and can keep look young for a couple years then its ok. The thing is with agencys, they dont want to change you looks while growing older.
One thing is, did you look older when were a teenager and haven't change your looks since then? Then youre lucky, you will face will probably change drastic for years.
More to say, is that models that start modeling in young age (ok, I now we have models on the top that say the diffrent such as Heather Marks, Mini Anden...) change their faces when they reach their 20s and are no longer in use for the buisniness.

btw,
it would be cool to some pic of you!

ryan · 06-08-2005

yeah you could start as 20 if you still look like you're 15, it all depends on your look. You can always just tell people you actually ARE 15 ofcourse

AlmostFamous · 06-08-2005

We aren't agencies. We can tell you what we think, but its pretty useless.

If you want to know if you're too old but look young enough, send your pictures in.

20 is not old. I wouldn't take anything they said on America's Next Top Model as set in stone modeling advice.

marqueemoon · 08-08-2005

I've never understood why there is such a low cut off age for being a model because I always thought women look the best in their mid-twenties. Does anyone know the answer?

model_mom · 08-08-2005

It wasn't always so. Young and thin are what agencies and clients are asking for now. Girls bodies beging to mature and have more curves as they get older and so by the time most girls are 20 they have a womans body. During the supermodel era models had longer careers(some are still around) because that was the look of the moment. Certain models are able to have long careers today because they are versatile and have a look that will always be in style.

marqueemoon · 08-08-2005

It's too bad because I think fully grown women are infinitely more beautiful than skinny fifteen year olds, and I'm sure most women would agree.

Do you have any idea why this shift occurred?

model_mom · 09-08-2005

I know the shift started with Kate Moss and the heroin chic look in the 90s

Sweets · 09-08-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlmostFamous

I wouldn't take anything they said on America's Next Top Model as set in stone modeling advice.

ditto (i was watching the re-runs on vh1 and i realized that a lot of people might think thats what it takes to be a model-

)

smartarse · 21-10-2005

Goodness! Nowadays models are getting younger and younger......so young that I wonder if they need a parent to accompany them to live in NYC (for those young foreigners who get signed). 14 yrs seem to be the starting age , then you get 17 yr olds. and so on. And it looks like girls that reach their 20s starts to mature faster, that's why agencies are looking to much younger girls than ever before. Designers too.... prefer pubescent girls , just as long as they are tall (required height). And size 2.

However, there are some girls who reached their 20's that still get jobs. They are the lucky ones but the select few.

masquerade · 21-10-2005

it seems that all the girls that are breaking big that are older still look like they are 15. ilona and aurelia g.

sashatheelf · 21-10-2005

the only reason i'd say its problem is because it ofen takes so long to build your book in the first place, which is why so many girls start so young.

but if youve got a great look, youre already out of school and can travel at all times, so thats a plus that makes up for all those years of not modeling.

i started at 16 and wish i had started younger, but ohhh well.

marqueemoon · 21-10-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by smartarse

Goodness! Nowadays models are getting younger and younger......so young that I wonder if they need a parent to accompany them to live in NYC (for those young foreigners who get signed). 14 yrs seem to be the starting age , then you get 17 yr olds. and so on. And it looks like girls that reach their 20s starts to mature faster, that's why agencies are looking to much younger girls than ever before. Designers too.... prefer pubescent girls , just as long as they are tall (required height). And size 2.

However, there are some girls who reached their 20's that still get jobs. They are the lucky ones but the select few.

I don't get it. A woman of 20 is almost invariably more attractive than a fifteen year old.

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21-10-2005	12
smartarse V.I.P. Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Manhattan - New York City Gender: femme Posts: 5,024	Goodness! Nowadays models are getting younger and younger......so young that I wonder if they need a parent to accompany them to live in NYC (for those young foreigners who get signed). 14 yrs seem to be the starting age , then you get 17 yr olds. and so on. And it looks like girls that reach their 20s starts to mature faster, that's why agencies are looking to much younger girls than ever before. Designers too.... prefer pubescent girls , just as long as they are tall (required height). And size 2. However, there are some girls who reached their 20's that still get jobs. They are the lucky ones but the select few. __________________ Head Over Heels NatashaYarovenko.EditaV.ToniGarrn.KarmenPedaru.AliStephens.Sigrid.Selezne va.ChiaraBaschetti. Last edited by smartarse; 21-10-2005 at 01:41 PM.

21-10-2005	13
masquerade God Save McQueen Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: lost angeles Gender: femme Posts: 8,034	it seems that all the girls that are breaking big that are older still look like they are 15. ilona and aurelia g. __________________ Check out my blog with kevinnn* > Kevily's Thoughts and Opinions on Fashin* AN OASIS OF HORROR IN A DESERT OF BOREDOM

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06-08-2005	1
soho101 windowshopping Join Date: Aug 2005 Gender: femme Posts: 21	*Modeling age How much of an issue is it?** Hey guys! It's my first post on here, though I definitely have been lurking around for a bit, enjoying everyone's pictures ans posts! Okay, I've got a question for some of the models on here or anyone really familiar with the industry, but first a little about me. I am an aspiring model, who in the next couple of weeks will start going to open calls and sending out some pictures to agencies. I was scouted once, yeeeeeeeeears ago, but my mom wouldn't stand for it so I couldn't at all. I was born and raised in NYC and am pretty familiar with how the whole process of becoming a (working) model works. Some of my friends model or style or are photographers, and I have always made it my business to follow up on articles pertaining to the industry. I'm 5'9 34-24.5-36(i'm not sending out my pics until i can lose an inch at least off my hips through diet and excercise). My real issue though is that I am now 20 years old, and will be turning 21 in September. I didn't think this was really an issue though until I started reading an article on one of the threads about Adrienne Curry from ANTM and how at 21 she was told she was too old!! I am really concerned about that kind of rejection, i can handle things pertaining to my weight, body, even my look, but age??? Should I lie about my age? Or will my agency definitely know how old I am. Or is it more that I am truthful with all the agencies that I submit pics to and then they in turn lie to potential clients?? Or is 20/21 an okay age!! I know people get started waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay younger, so I am at least 5 years behind a lot of people, but I do think I have the look that's hot right now (big eyes, full lips) and I would hate it if my age held me back!! Any feedback would be much much appreciated!!!

06-08-2005	2
yourbestfriend princely Join Date: Jul 2004 Gender: homme Posts: 13,403	20 dosent sound too bad, many models start at 19, and 20 is usually the cut off age for agencies unless they believe you are incredible, Ann Markley from ANTM is 22 and is working quite a bit. I think the problem with adrianne is that she looked much much older, she had wrinkles around her mouth and etc. and some agencies lie about their models ages too but you may have a hard time unless they really love your look, or you look younger than your age. Last edited by yourbestfriend; 06-08-2005 at 02:07 AM.

06-08-2005	4
perfect10 fashion insider Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: stockholm Gender: femme Posts: 2,086	Ok, 20 is quite a age to start model for a girl, but if you still look young and can keep look young for a couple years then its ok. The thing is with agencys, they dont want to change you looks while growing older. One thing is, did you look older when were a teenager and haven't change your looks since then? Then youre lucky, you will face will probably change drastic for years. More to say, is that models that start modeling in young age (ok, I now we have models on the top that say the diffrent such as Heather Marks, Mini Anden...) change their faces when they reach their 20s and are no longer in use for the buisniness. btw, it would be cool to some pic of you! __________________ The today way (blog)

06-08-2005	5
ryan rising star Join Date: Mar 2005 Gender: homme Posts: 110	yeah you could start as 20 if you still look like you're 15, it all depends on your look. You can always just tell people you actually ARE 15 ofcourse

06-08-2005	6
AlmostFamous V.I.P. Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: NY Gender: femme Posts: 3,789	We aren't agencies. We can tell you what we think, but its pretty useless. If you want to know if you're too old but look young enough, send your pictures in. 20 is not old. I wouldn't take anything they said on America's Next Top Model as set in stone modeling advice.

08-08-2005	7
marqueemoon tfs star Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 1,822	I've never understood why there is such a low cut off age for being a model because I always thought women look the best in their mid-twenties. Does anyone know the answer?

08-08-2005	8
model_mom V.I.P. Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 15,255	It wasn't always so. Young and thin are what agencies and clients are asking for now. Girls bodies beging to mature and have more curves as they get older and so by the time most girls are 20 they have a womans body. During the supermodel era models had longer careers(some are still around) because that was the look of the moment. Certain models are able to have long careers today because they are versatile and have a look that will always be in style. __________________ "Let's stop treating models like greyhounds we plan to shoot after a race. We have to remember we are dealing with real people who have real feelings." - James Scully

09-08-2005	10
model_mom V.I.P. Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 15,255	I know the shift started with Kate Moss and the heroin chic look in the 90s __________________ "Let's stop treating models like greyhounds we plan to shoot after a race. We have to remember we are dealing with real people who have real feelings." - James Scully

21-10-2005	14
sashatheelf backstage pass Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: tokyo Gender: femme Posts: 968	the only reason i'd say its problem is because it ofen takes so long to build your book in the first place, which is why so many girls start so young. but if youve got a great look, youre already out of school and can travel at all times, so thats a plus that makes up for all those years of not modeling. i started at 16 and wish i had started younger, but ohhh well.