Model's Age - How Young Is Too Young?

[evexa]

May I ask if you had a parent with you or did you start out by yourself?

I was on my own at jobs, castings and when I travelled, although I told my mum about how castings/jobs went from time to time.
She would liked to have been more involved but I was very individualistic, to put it lightly.

 

[morgan38]

I was on my own at jobs, castings and when I travelled, although I told my mum about how castings/jobs went from time to time.
She would liked to have been more involved but I was very individualistic, to put it lightly.

That's pretty much what my experience was like as well, except my mom was a little more involved since she pushed me into it (another problem with teenage modeling).

 

[Bellissima]

..... in the process of growing and their bodies are yet to be become fully mature. They have no hips, no boobs, baby fat on their face and they are all around selling makeup and sexy, classy designer clothes. My point is that they won't have any appeal to the "masses" until they reach their late teens. Gisele only started to become "hot stuff" when she was 17............. So, what's the use of having those girls working when they are so young if the target audience won't give a proper feedback?

I can certainly see all the points your making and I agree. You asked what the use was of having those very young girls work so early? So many times I heard that sometimes models should start young because that will get them a head-start on modeling and exposure. The reasons given are often times that if they start young that they will have more expirience/tear-pictures, a more developed portfolio, and exposure/reputation so they are sent to "practice markets" (most of the time) ie. Barcelona, Milano, London, Paris (but only if their 16, because they have a law that doesnt permit anyone under 16 to model there...but like in any buisiness, if you have the right connections and some powerful people on your side you can work around that littel "hinderance," as they call it). In the markets they are supposed to acquire as many tear-sheets, porfolio pics, and build a reputation as a model for themselves. As one of my good friends says "You are a Fresh Face only once, and you have to use it." I'm am not trying to critizize any young models, or people who might have different viewpoint than me. In the end everything depends on the siuation. Nikki Taylor started young but int he end she was sign with IMG and became famouse. On the other hand there are numerous young girls who tried and did not make it, and probably never will. Situation, and the type of girl is KEY.........one can, and should, never generalize, because there are ALWAYS exceptions. There are countless things that can go wrong with a young girl such as her body changing, her not possesing maturity, her getting pregnant, rapped, hooked on drugs and then becoming to scared to continue, and many others. But there are those exceptions where everythign can fall into place at an younger age and a new star can be made!!!!!

 

[Bellissima]

Wilhelmina

Just wondering if you might know Pink at the agency ???

 

[evexa]

I am completely against it. Its one thing to model at that age commercialy - for extra income like Model Mom said. But lately it seems girls are getting younger and younger. I am a booker and we have several younger girls and it breaks my heart to see them far from their country, their family, and everything they know. Of course its important to be independent and take advantage of opportunities to see the world - to learn about different cultures - to explore. But this shouldnt be done until you are someone what matured. 13 is entirely too young. I understand 17 a lot more - but definitely one thing I stand by is finishing your schooling. Thats the basis of your future and to not finish school just to dive into such an industry is unaccepptable in my opinion. Its a very rare few who make it big and no longer have to worry about their futures...

Funny you should say that, one of your bookers said I was close to being old enough for the mature section of Wilhelmina (I'm 20 but have modelled for years), who knows maybe it was you! But then the booker said she would like to see me again. You guys are confusing =/

 

[NYFashion]

Evexa, depends on you and what part of the industry you have potential to work in - the world of fashion has such a wide spectrum - we have a younger group of girls who are more high fashion - we have our beauty catalog editorial type of girls - and then we have the girls who are more lifestyle. and obviously everyone has their opinion on age and such... when did you come in? if you dont mind me asking

 

[Missoni~Heiress]

I am not against commercial modeling on a part time basis for this age, but if you are talking about full time high end fashion I'm against it. I know what I'm talking about and I had to learn the hard way what it does to a young girl when she is thrust into the limelight at an early age. They are not ready for the pressure of being put in a situation where they are not comfortable. Everyone tells you its OK "it's the way the fashion industry is." You accept it because they tell you,"your going to be a star." We met a young lady in Paris who went to a fashion shoot and when she came back to the agency she was crying. I ask her why, she said," They ask me to pose in my panties and I didn't want to,but somehow they talked me into it, and now I am so ashamed." What do you say to a kid of 16 when she tells you this? In no other industry would you be able to put kids in this kind of situation and get away with it. The Fashion Industry is bigger than all of us and many people have tried to speak out about this issue but it always gets swept under the carpet. How can this type of behavior be justified?

Thats so bad they are made to do this stuff... i think if you are going to model you should have the right to say no nudity or underwear only... they should have a choice...

 

[morgan38]

Thats so bad they are made to do this stuff... i think if you are going to model you should have the right to say no nudity or underwear only... they should have a choice...

Yea I modeled in underwear for a small catalogue when I was 15. I really didn't want to do it, but a bunch of people just kind of talked me into it, and since I was so young and they were adults, I felt like I <i>had</i> to do it. I think this is one of the main problems with young girls modeling.

 

[model_mom]

Thanks for sharing that morgan.

 

[sashatheelf]

when i had just turned 16, in ny for the first time, i booked Vellum magazine's top 10 new faces...since it was just a subsection of the magazine they told my bookers it was gonig to be a tasteful portrait, but when i got there i found it to be a bunch of see through undies, thongs, etc. thankfully i had the guts to stand up for myself and get out of there....i was extremely uncomfortable with it.

and my booker was anything but mad at me, she was proud, thank god. or i'm not sure id still be modeling these days. hahaha.

of course, these days, im happy to show my t*ts to the world.

 

[evexa]

Evexa, depends on you and what part of the industry you have potential to work in - the world of fashion has such a wide spectrum - we have a younger group of girls who are more high fashion - we have our beauty catalog editorial type of girls - and then we have the girls who are more lifestyle. and obviously everyone has their opinion on age and such... when did you come in? if you dont mind me asking

I came in in July/August, can't remember the exact date unfortunately
And yeah, you have alot of diversity which is nice!

 

[evexa]

Evexa, depends on you and what part of the industry you have potential to work in - the world of fashion has such a wide spectrum - we have a younger group of girls who are more high fashion - we have our beauty catalog editorial type of girls - and then we have the girls who are more lifestyle. and obviously everyone has their opinion on age and such... when did you come in? if you dont mind me asking

Which department do you work it btw?

 

[Sloan]

Many young girls are dying to become models and will do practically anything to make it happen. The industry knows that the younger the girls are - the easier they are to manipulate. Especially if there is not a parent traveling everywhere with them. This is very scary, but true. Of course there are some cases where the young girl/boy makes good decisions and comes out doing very well on their own, but I would bet that each young model has some sort of story where they were asked to pose in clothes (or lack of clothes) and were made to feel uncomfortable. It is wonderful that there are young models who can stand up for themselves and say no or walk out of those situations, but that just isn't always the case. I personally believe that 17 is a good age for a young model to start pursuing their modeling career.

 

[Ithillien]

Whats the norlal clothes size for a female model? (english size) and is there a height limit 'cause i've heard all sorts

 

[MulletProof]

of course, these days, im happy to show my t*ts to the world.

I didnt have an opinion about this but having read the entire thread, especially model_mom's valid points, I think im against it.

 

[evexa]

Whats the norlal clothes size for a female model? (english size) and is there a height limit 'cause i've heard all sorts

UK 8-10
Height 5'9 min. unless you have an amazing face or are very young.

 

[Sloan]

Whats the norlal clothes size for a female model? (english size) and is there a height limit 'cause i've heard all sorts

There are several topics on this. Here is one:
http://www.thefashionspot.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10523&highlight=weight

 

[Ithillien]

Thanks Well im 5ft 11, 17 and a size 8-10 but most of the models look much skinnier than that

 

[sashatheelf]

I didnt have an opinion about this but having read the entire thread, especially model_mom's valid points, I think im against it.

 

[foxinthesnow]

when i had just turned 16, in ny for the first time, i booked Vellum magazine's top 10 new faces...since it was just a subsection of the magazine they told my bookers it was gonig to be a tasteful portrait, but when i got there i found it to be a bunch of see through undies, thongs, etc. thankfully i had the guts to stand up for myself and get out of there....i was extremely uncomfortable with it.

and my booker was anything but mad at me, she was proud, thank god. or i'm not sure id still be modeling these days. hahaha.

of course, these days, im happy to show my t*ts to the world.

It's Vellum. What were your bookers thinking???