So You Want to Become a Model? (PLEASE READ POST #1 BEFORE POSTING)

[BetteT]

I haven't heard anything about this person ... but it seems that she is a commercial model for an L.A. based agency (also, unfamiliare to me), NTA Talent agency.

So ... she might be able to provide some insight and direction that might help you. But then, if you don't have the right look for what they need ... it won't help at all. So, it is still a gamble.

But I agree .. a short seminar about how to work the system and how to market yourself effectively seems like it's a better investment of your money.

 

[nudeunderwater]

Anybody know any commercial / editorial fashion agencies in Los Angeles who might go for a shorter girl??
I know of Elite, Ford, LA Models, Nous, Photogenics, No Ties, Whilemina, CW, Vision, Q, Click, and Bella.
Anybody know of any others? I'd really really appreciate it!!!

 

[dpbenson]

Anybody know any commercial / editorial fashion agencies in Los Angeles who might go for a shorter girl??
I know of Elite, Ford, LA Models, Nous, Photogenics, No Ties, Wilhelmina, CW, Vision, Q, Click, and Bella.

Anybody know of any others? I'd really really appreciate it!!!

There is also Hollywood Model Management, Pinkerton Model & Talent, Bleu Model Management, BMG ModelsLos Angeles, Wünder Management, Models International L.A., and Industry Model Group. I'll leave it up to those in the industry to tell you if any of these agencies have a bad reputation and should be avoided.

At one time, Models International L.A, had a 5'7" and Under Board. I don't see any reference to it on their website.

 

[msdarlyn]

I haven't heard anything about this person ... but it seems that she is a commercial model for an L.A. based agency (also, unfamiliare to me), NTA Talent agency.

So ... she might be able to provide some insight and direction that might help you. But then, if you don't have the right look for what they need ... it won't help at all. So, it is still a gamble.

But I agree .. a short seminar about how to work the system and how to market yourself effectively seems like it's a better investment of your money.

Thanks for your feedback. I gave it some more thought and decided that I will not attend the seminar. I bought a book about commercial print modeling about two years ago and it was a complete waste of money. Not interested in throwing anymore money down the toilet. I'm just gonna contact photographers in my area that have experience with shooting agency models and book them.
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[nudeunderwater]

There is also Hollywood Model Management, Pinkerton Model & Talent, Bleu Model Management, BMG ModelsLos Angeles, Wünder Management, Models International L.A., and Industry Model Group. I'll leave it up to those in the industry to tell you if any of these agencies have a bad reputation and should be avoided.

At one time, Models International L.A, had a 5'7" and Under Board. I don't see any reference to it on their website.

I've heard of all of those but Industry Model Group. Wünder Management and Nous Models want to meet with me actually. I'm under 5'7, so I'm nervous about being rejected. They liked my photos though.. we'll see!
Thanks for the info! Do you happen to know which agency in LA accepts models under 5'7? Whether they lie or don't lie about height on their website..

 

[BetteT]

IMO, if you are more than 1/4 inch less than 5'7" ... probably your only outlet is commercial stuff. And in L.A. it can mean that you need to compete with actors who actually do TV commercials (and some ads for household stuff, insurance, cars, etc.) ... so you should consider acting lessons.

There is one category of model ..."petite modeling" where you have to be 5'4" to 5'7" ... but you wear clothes for petite women .. who are all way under 5'4". But .... I have never seen any actual agency that reps "petite" models (I'm sure there are a few, somewhere) , but it's a tiny, tine niche market... becuase there is almost no work for them. I think that the few petite models who do get any work (part time, at best) contact "petite size" designers and retailers directly.

So ... if you want to model ... seek a " commercial and talent agency", but you'll have a better chance if you can act some ...it's an important skill.

 

[BetteT]

Oh ... and I forgot about "fit modeling".

This depends on your size and measurements entirely ... not your face. Fit models are used by a designer or manufacturer to see how garments fit a real person. Each designer or manufacturer has their own specific measurements that they build their garments to fit ... so they look for a model who matches these precise measurements. So ... for an example of this, perhaps a regular ladieswear company might want a model who is exactly 5'6", has a bust of 34, a waist of 26" and hips of 36" ... about a standard size 14. If it's a juniors line, the height would most likely be less, the bust and hips less and the waist more. It's very specific.

If you go on open calls to be a fit model, they will measure you everywhere ... possibly including your upper arms, and thighs and you will either match what they need ... or not. Then, if you are selected, you must be able to talk about the garment ... how it feels, if it pulls here or there, if it's too loose, if it's comfortable or not. Then, if they like you, each season you will be called back, re-measured to make sure that your body has not changed and used again.

I think the a lot of Commercial modeling agencies can provide fit models, since they have models of varying sizes.

 

[nudeunderwater]

Yeah I understand there's barely any petite division out there and I have looked over fit modeling. I'm considering acting classes but what I really want to do is catalog/print for teen apparel stores like Brandy Melville, Forever 21, Urban Outfitters, Nastygal, or less popular and smaller stores. I'm fine without high fashion editorial or runway.. But I'd like to know if commercial divisions still model fashion, and not just car commercials and tv ads that have nothing to do with clothes..
***Edited*** Lately I've been consistently contacting agencies and local clothing brands online. I was asked to go to a casting call at NastyGal last weekend and American Apparel about a month ago. A couple of agencies have contacted me telling me they like my look but I haven't gone in to meet with them yet.

Thank you so much for all your info BetteT! You've been very helpful. I guess all that's left for me to do is to just work even harder to get noticed haha.

 

[BetteT]

You are welcome. I can only tell you what I've seen in this biz.

Yes ... commercial girls also model clothing (not really fashion ... more like local ads and catalogs, etc.) but they still need to be regular model height in almost all cases. Also, I beleive that those companies do not use short models eve if they are selling "juniors" lines... they use standard height girls ... from 5'7" at the very minimum and preferabley more like 5'8" or 5'9". Commercial agencies do both ... but it's mainly just commercials and regular ads that will take models who are short. So most likely if a commercial agency signs you ... you will be sent mostly for these kinds of jobs, not to model fashion or clothing, because it sounds like you are not tall enough. Work with what you have .... and hope that they see a strong "type" in you that they can sell to some of their clients. They will let you know right out of the gate if you have something they can sell ... or not.

Good luck in your search for a good agency.


And so you know, since you are a fairly new member ...I have to remove your stats ... because that is not alloweved per the thread rules (see post #1) .... we do not allow models to showcase or promote themselves, here at tFS. We will allow some talk about height ... but that is the only thing that we allow.

 

[nudeunderwater]

Okay, sorry about that! I thought I understood all of the rules, just forgot about that one. Again thank you for your help!

 

[Mariann]

Okay so I have some favourite models of course and one of them is Hannah Holman, I was actually just looking for her Facebook page as I wanted to see her work on there and how it's presented, the number of likes etc to help with my own page. Instead of finding her page, I found her personal facebook account and I was at first sceptical thinking it's not really her but I think it really is. There's a link to Amanda Norgaard whom I have heard of and it says she works at real estates? Is this true?

I am asking if it's true because lately I have been wondering if even top models have another job on the side considering modelling is not strong pay.

 

[IceePriincess]

Well Top models ( specially the ones who work at VS, Sports Illustrated, and so) are well payed. Mayority of those models gain more than USS 500,000. For example Gisele Bundchen is the one who gains more, she gained USS 33,000,000 in 2007 I believe.

Now, mayority of the runway models' salary is unknown, but I believe is around the USS 20,000 but Im not sure about it.

Now your question, I doubt that any model can have another job (besides photographer) because they have few time, even for finishing their studies at school. But theres always an exception.

 

[Mariann]

Well Top models ( specially the ones who work at VS, Sports Illustrated, and so) are well payed. Mayority of those models gain more than USS 500,000. For example Gisele Bundchen is the one who gains more, she gained USS 33,000,000 in 2007 I believe.

Now, mayority of the runway models' salary is unknown, but I believe is around the USS 20,000 but Im not sure about it.

Now your question, I doubt that any model can have another job (besides photographer) because they have few time, even for finishing their studies at school. But theres always an exception.

I work as a local model, only for the past six months. In the city I work in, the fashion week gets featured on FTV, I'm now signed to a new agency that just opened, I have basically built my way up and built stronger portfolio over time. I have gained a lot of support but the money I have made has been like less then a hundred in 6 months from freelance work. I didn't believe modelling was hard to earn money from, I made a friend, a photographer who has shot in New York and shot with the bigger agencies such as Select, Wilhelmina and he told me the money is little even for top models. Not considering VS models or Gisele, I think they are now celebrities but the other models like Amanda. Honestly it says Real Estate on her personal facebook.

I am still trying to work my way up, trying bigger cities, bigger agencies and I'm not saying it's impossible to earn a lot, just saying it's hard to begin with, hard when local and hard when you're not a VS model lol. I'm experiencing life and will post on my modelling career over time as it grows

 

[BetteT]

You can't have a regular second job ... because you have make yourself available for go sees, casting calls and the actual jobs, if you get them. But you can do any kind of work where your schedule is very flexible.

Of course, a busy working model who is booked all the time won't want or need a second job. But the average model often has some other kind of work to make ends meet. Here are few of the things they sometimes do:

Real Estate Agents ...as you mentioned. Because it's flexible ... and like modeling you don't work all the time, unless you are a top agent. You set your own schedule ... so you can fit other things into your day.

Bar Tenders / Food Servers ... because they often work in the evenings, so it frees up your days. And usually you can get another person to cover you, if you need to go on a casting or something. And if you are good looking, it can help boost the tips, which is where you make your money in bar/food service. So you see a lot of models and actors doing this .... in my town, Los Angeles , I'd say about 80% of all bartenders and servers are actors and/or models too.

Fitness Trainers .... you have to stay in shape anyway, so if you get certified you can do this on the side, too. Most trainers work part time for gyms, and also take private clients. So they get to set their own scedules too.

Temorary Work ... working for a temp service who sends you out on short jobs a few days at a time. Usually it's very simple things like answering phones, inputting data, phsyical work like in a warehouse, but it can also be more specialized, if you have other skills. You can schedule days off with the agency in advance ... so it's pretty flexible.

 

[Mariann]

Is it allowed to have threads for models who model locally in their home towns in order to gain advice and opinions from posting images of their shoots, etc?

 

[BetteT]

No .... I'm sorry. Members who are models or who are aspiring to be models, may not post their pictures or their stats for feedback ... per the thread rules, posted in post #1. And along that line ... they may not start a new thread for that purpose.

This is because of the predators who stalk forums like ours, looking for pictures .... with the intent of drawing in young models into something that is inappropriate and sometimes dangerous. The Fashion Spot does not want to allow any potential predator to be able to see photos of our members who are working to become models.

You should not ever post pictures to ask for feedback anywhere on the web. Inexperienced models are very vulnerable to people who promise work, photos or "connections" but who really are not good people and have evil intent.


Only agencies can really advise you of your suitability to be a model for them ... and each agency may be looking for something slightly different. So, instead, send your pictures to and go in for open calls, at as many agencies as possible ... as often as you can. If you do go in for open calls, ask for feedback ... which sometimes might be helpful and give you an idea if you are suited for modeling in their market or not.

 

[Kallu]

Is it allowed to have threads for models who model locally in their home towns in order to gain advice and opinions from posting images of their shoots, etc?

Maybe the Model members post pics Thread ( http://forums.thefashionspot.com/f96/model-members-post-pics-2-a-99603-10.html ) ??
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[BetteT]

That is the only place you may post a picture, however it is not intended for feedback about modeling potential. The thread is just for fun and it's a fairly private place for members who are also models to share their work with other members. Any feedback is usually from members who don't work in the biz so it's not really helpful. but it's a good place to make friends. It's pretty much like all the other threads in Heart and Soul ... just a place to socialize. BTW, Heart and Soul cannot be seen by visitors ... it's stictly for members.

 

[Model Wear]

Contract Dilemma!

I've recently signed with a Sydney agency called ***Agency Name removed: because they asked this member to remove the post since she named them. Member may not remove posts, after the first 10 minutes, so any action needs to be taken by the moderator team. We believe this information is important ... so we have opted to remove the agency name, but leave the post otherwise intact***. After months of looking for an agency, (they were) the first one to reply.

I met up with them a couple of times and they seemed very attentive and very eager to find me work (talking of strategies and things they could do to get me out there) so I signed with them a couple of months ago.

They sent me the contract via email. I read through it and although it seemed standard, I didn't think it was very well put or professional as in one of the points it stated "model will be represented for a period of 24months as effective on the date stated on this contract". I looked through all 3 pages of the contract and found no date. There wasn't even a space for me to fill in the date next to my signature on the last page.

Anyway I signed it and emailed it back and never heard anything from them ever again. Not even an acknowledgement that they've received my contract.

I've tried contacting them a few times to arrange a meeting to discuss future jobs but they were "too busy" and cancelled on my appointment at the last minute too many times.

Recently they've asked me to PAY to join this new database website so that "potential clients" will be able to view my profile there. I feel like they want me to pay a monthly fee to this new website to do their job for them. It's ridiculous!

It's been almost 3 months since I signed the contract and I don't even see my profile/photos up on their own personal website!

Now, another agency is interested in signing me (judging by the website and the quality of the models, this one seems more professional and they have a track record of getting their girls jobs with local fashion magazines).

Does any one know what would happen if I break the contract with the first agency and sign with the second? Do you think the contract with the first agency was legitimate enough that i'll get into big trouble if I leave? Has this happened to anyone here before?

Thoughts on what I should do would be appreciated!

 

[WerbowyStegner]

^That agency is a scam.