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

[BetteT]

So do you think it won't work if I would have a motheragency in Germany? (I'm from Holland and I live 10 minutes driving from Germany, lol)

I think that being 10 minutes from your agency would certainly make you availabe for casting calls ... so, yes ... I think that it might be a good place to start.

About apartments ... maybe in some instances they let you live free if they think that they absolutely have to have you on their boards and are trying to prevent you from going to other agencies. However, I've heard lots of stories about girls racking up bills for things like rent (they usually take it out of you paychecks) if the girls don't get booked often enough to pay for the housing and then having to pay the agency back. So I'd ask a lot of questions ... you may not be getting the whole story.

 

[foreverandnone]

About apartments ... maybe in some instances they let you live free if they think that they absolutely have to have you on their boards and are trying to prevent you from going to other agencies. However, I've heard lots of stories about girls racking up bills for things like rent (they usually take it out of you paychecks) if the girls don't get booked often enough to pay for the housing and then having to pay the agency back. So I'd ask a lot of questions ... you may not be getting the whole story.

Well yes. I know that everything needs to be paid back to the agency. I think that's a given. It goes without saying that. I am clear about the fact that it is taken out of the money you would be making, but what I meant is,
that you are allowed to move to the city, but not move as in a house, but an apartment that the agency provides for you. I think she meant that the free acomodation(spelling?) was for when I would travel up for an open call. She knew of my location, and I would most definitely move after I was 18.

It's difficult getting into modeling when you live in a small city.

 

[*DiamondQueen*]

So do you think it won't work if I would have a motheragency in Germany? (I'm from Holland and I live 10 minutes driving from Germany, lol)

Depends on how much time you need from your homecity to Hamburg. If it's around an hour you can make that but everything what's more will get difficult as soon as you start working/need to be present for clients.

 

[*DiamondQueen*]

I find that weird that you have to pay for the apartments. An agent told me she'd let me stay for free. As in live.

I doubt she meant for a longer time for free.

 

[kissmesweet]

Can I ask what is the average age of models nowadays to start their career?

 

[MikChick]

But... Doutzen Kroes for example lives in NY city, but her motheragency is in Amsterdam.

By the way, when she didn't had other agencies, she lived like 2,5 hours driving from Amsterdam... so.. I think if you really want it and if it's more important for you than school or anything then it would work out.

 

[Rochas]

^Modelling shouldn't be more important to you than school.

School guarantees financial stability...
Modelling...there is no guarantee and you can be kicked out at any moment.

 

[*DiamondQueen*]

Can I ask what is the average age of models nowadays to start their career?

when any of the very good agencies will represent you as new face you should start with 16 or younger

 

[*DiamondQueen*]

^Modelling shouldn't be more important to you than school.

School guarantees financial stability...
Modelling...there is no guarantee and you can be kicked out at any moment.

very true Rochas!

 

[Rochas]

when any of the very good agencies will represent you as new face you should start with 16 or younger

Just to add on..
Young is ideal, but there are many girls that start older than that. Some even into their 20's.

 

[*DiamondQueen*]

But... Doutzen Kroes for example lives in NY city, but her motheragency is in Amsterdam.

By the way, when she didn't had other agencies, she lived like 2,5 hours driving from Amsterdam... so.. I think if you really want it and if it's more important for you than school or anything then it would work out.

well you can never really compare supermodels with 'normal models' in their ways and careers. when doutzen lives in new york she's on stay at a major fashion city. which makes a big diference then when you're far away living in any city where you can't do modeling at all.
usually it is like i wrote before. it's a disadvantage living more than around 1 hour away from your motheragency. but the best is you just explain your situation to any agencies wanting to represent you and then they'll make suggestions. maybe there is a solution

 

[*DiamondQueen*]

Just to add on..
Young is ideal, but there are many girls that start older than that. Some even into their 20's.

Yes I know many girls too who started out in their 20s and I think that's a very positive trend. You can handle everything much easier, have your school education... I just meant a lot of the high class agencies prefer younger girls as new faces.

 

[iperlchen]

But... Doutzen Kroes for example lives in NY city, but her motheragency is in Amsterdam.

By the way, when she didn't had other agencies, she lived like 2,5 hours driving from Amsterdam... so.. I think if you really want it and if it's more important for you than school or anything then it would work out.

When young girls start out in a minor market like Amsterdam they are not required to make daily casting rounds. They shouldn't be anyway, because it's not worth their time. You'll book the occasional job, but castings/go sees occur rarely. Often only in your 'new face period' and depending on what's your name also for the AIFW shows.

P.S. I'm fairly sure Doutzen's mother agency is now DNA in NY.

Hope I helped.

Can I ask what is the average age of models nowadays to start their career?
It depends on which kind of career you're aiming for. Most of today's Top fashion models start at the age of 13-16, but that doesn't mean they'll instantly land top jobs. It takes a while. Sometimes not even before their 23rd (Lara Stone ). Every career follows a different course. Models who go for a more commercial kind of career (catalog, smaller campaigns etc) can start even at 24. At the end of the day it all depends on how you look and if the agency believes they can make it happen for you.

 

[Rochas]

P.S. I'm fairly sure Doutzen's mother agency is now DNA in NY.

DNA is the agency that gets her the majority of her work, and she is based there, but her mother agency has not changed.

 

[Deleted member 49693]

I think the average age to start is 14. I heard a model is not allowed on the catwalk until she is at least 15.

 

[foreverandnone]

Do you think it's wise to continue school while wanting to pursue modeling full time. I'm torn. I believe that I would be able to make a decent amount of money modeling...
Like, if I moved to Toronto and had an agency there, and went to University in that city, would it work out?
Things are so complicated >.<

 

[foreverandnone]

I think the average age to start is 14. I heard a model is not allowed on the catwalk until she is at least 15.

I find the models are starting older now..I mean of course, some take 5 years to 'land big'. But most start after they graduate.

 

[iperlchen]

Do you think it's wise to continue school while wanting to pursue modeling full time. I'm torn. I believe that I would be able to make a decent amount of money modeling...
Like, if I moved to Toronto and had an agency there, and went to University in that city, would it work out?
Things are so complicated >.<

I think it's best to let the agency you're signed with/are going to sign with in the concerning area advice you on this. They're the ones in charge of your career, so they should know best if it's profitable enough. Don't be afraid to ask questions and do be critical.

@ Rochas, alrighty. I've heard from several sources that she switched mother agencies since she moved to NY so that's what I assumed.

 

[*DiamondQueen*]

I find the models are starting older now..I mean of course, some take 5 years to 'land big'. But most start after they graduate.

True. I mean, every girl should graduate first and concentrate her energy on school. A quality school education is so useful to be independent and get the possibilites to do other jobs too. It's very risky focusing only on being a model, you never know if you'll have success.
about daria: i'm pretty sure she switched her motheragency

 

[*DiamondQueen*]

Do you think it's wise to continue school while wanting to pursue modeling full time. I'm torn. I believe that I would be able to make a decent amount of money modeling...
Like, if I moved to Toronto and had an agency there, and went to University in that city, would it work out?
Things are so complicated >.<

Don't quit school, be clever girl!!!
Even if you have what it takes to become a successful model, you need a quality school education to lead an independent life. That's a safety you need!! You never know how much success you'll have as a model and how much money you'll actually earn. If you don't have an acknowledged degree it makes your life a lot more difficult and complicated. And believe me, there is a lot of competition these days so you can never say 100% how much success you'll have. Are you already signed with an agency?