Remembering her teenage years, almost every second friend from the yard dreamed of becoming a model. Isn't it true? We looked with admiration at the long-legged, luxurious beauties parading on the catwalks of Milan, Paris and New York, and watched with bated breath as they posed in front of the lenses and starred in films and videos. That's what we wanted too. Since then, everything has changed: we grew up and did not become top models, but girls still wonder how to become a model - successful, desirable, rich and famous. The new generation of top models, it-girls, who have made a career thanks to Instagram, teaches us to be natural, but at the same time to work on this naturalness, to build a personal brand and strengthen it with all available methods of image marketing.

What is a parent agency? By MA we mean an agency from the model’s home country that finds foreign agencies for its ward and helps conclude contracts with them. For its services, the mother agency (in our opinion - “motherboard”) receives 10% of the model’s earnings abroad.

Purely because this agency "X" already represented a couple of my model friends who spoke well of it, I decided to take a chance and persuaded my father to sign a two-year contract with them.

After signing this contract, I was invited to the agency a couple of times for trial shooting (tests). They took about 10 “professional” photos of me. And literally a month later we signed my first contract with a foreign agency. In my case it was Hong Kong. But in any other case it could be Paris, Milan, or New York. It all depends on the contacts your mother agency has and, of course, your appearance. I would like to emphasize that I did not pay for test photos or anything else!

All this leads me to the fact that I personally have little faith in the stories of agencies, that you first need to go through modeling school, pay a certain amount of money, make a portfolio, then you will be entered into the database, and “we will call you.”

All this “smacks” of an elementary “pumping out” of money.

If you look at the beginning of the career of any top model, then each of them was found by scouts: some at a market selling fruit (Natalia Vodianova), some at the airport (Kate Moss), some at shopping center(Gisele Bündchen), someone in a nightclub (Claudia Schiffer), etc. The list goes on and on!

Based on their vivid example, it is obvious that no one graduated from any modeling schools, did not pay anyone anything, they simply believed in them, they saw potential in them. That's all. You can learn to walk the catwalk and pose yourself, if you have the desire.

Having flown abroad, I didn’t know anything, but I had an insane desire to learn. I asked my friends, already successful models, to teach me how to pose and walk on the catwalk, listened carefully to the photographer’s instructions about the angles of my face, studied ready-made photographs and memorized the poses that were beneficial to me.

“The one who walks will master the road.”

Everything comes with practice, so you shouldn’t think that you can become a model only by completing a special school or courses. If they see potential in you, they will invest money and give you the opportunity to return this money when you start earning money. And not the other way around.

I am in no way saying that you should not go to a modeling agency yourself. Perhaps you have simply never crossed paths with a model scout on the street (although nowadays they also walk on secondary schools, and by universities). Perhaps you should come to a modeling agency and just “show up.”

But be careful.

Don't believe what agents tell you that you need to pay right away for a portfolio, makeup lessons, runway lessons, etc. - only to be included in the model database. This is most likely how it will end. You will part with a significant amount of money, gain little-needed knowledge about which brush to apply blush on your cheeks, and will remain “hanging” in their database.

This is what little-known agencies make money on.

If you still have a desire to become a model, don’t be lazy, ask your friends and girlfriends of friends: some of them will probably already be working models who can bring you to their agency and introduce you to their agent.

This happened to me when I decided to change my mother agency “X” to a more successful agency, let’s call it “Y”. My friend has already worked with "Y" for a long time and was very pleased with them. I asked her to introduce me to her agent, which she happily did. After a half-hour conversation, I had a contract in my hands with the agency “Y”, which collaborated with agencies in Europe and America, and not just Asian ones, as was the case with “X”.

The fashion industry is great and modeling can be a passion. Tyra Banks started modeling at just 15 years old! Starting when you're still a teenager can really in a good way become a model. To make things easier for you, we have compiled steps that will tell you how to become a model for a child or teenager.

The most important steps:

1. Tell your parents that you are interested in becoming a model. If they object, then just leave it. If they think it's a good idea, then start working in that direction.

You can star in plays, go to a training center or studio, or delve directly into the world of modeling. It's important to remember that great models started when they were teenagers - just like you!

2. Performances are a great way to help with your future career. Having experience is great, but just because someone has more experience than you doesn't mean they are better than you. Everyone starts with what you have.

3. Create a portfolio. *Portfolio creation is the same as, and for older and more experienced models, you and a parent/guardian can go to online classifieds sites or professional photography sites to find a photographer looking for a model to create a portfolio, some may even do it's free.

4. Show your parents what you have researched and found out. Write it down, print it out, or show it to them. Make sure you present it in a way that will make your parents happy and also have fun!

5. Make sure you have all the information, such as how much it costs and how often you will go to modeling school. If they decide that you should take extra classes, your teachers will help you. But if your parents won't let you go to modeling school, there's still hope! It's not about who took the most expensive classes, or was best teacher, it's about you, and building your portfolio and skills for a successful future.

6. Look online for jobs for models your age.

Even though you are a teenager, it is important to remember to act professionally, arrive early, be pleasant, and present your portfolio in a good way.

7. Practice to create your own runway walk. Make it your “signature feature.” The common gait style is shoulders back and relaxed, a slight swing of the hips, legs straight, and one foot in front of the other.

Remember not to jump or swing your hips too much.

The designer you'll be working for will likely have some advice on how they want you to walk in the show based on the construction of their clothes: Whether it's a modern style or a more outlandish style, be prepared to change the way you walk.

8. Remember, always be nice to the people you meet at modeling shows, competitions, and the photographers you work with. You never know when you'll see them again. Connections are very important in modeling, this is show business, after all.

9. Be prepared for any audience you encounter. Some people may like you, some may not. Take all of this as "constructive criticism" and unleash your inner Anna Wintour.

Every second girl dreams or has ever dreamed of becoming a model. But dreams do come true, didn’t you know? We will try to help you and tell you what you need to do, what steps to take to become a model.

So, you dream of becoming a model. Not the model who shows clothes at the community center on weekends or stands next to cars in car dealerships, but the one whose face is known by the whole country or even the whole world. How can you get that “lucky ticket” to the best catwalks in Paris and New York? Let's see what needs to be done...

How to become a model - step 1. Getting ready for... work.

Why do you think that out of thousands of girls whose parameters are quite suitable to become models, only a few make it onto the catwalks and pages of glossy magazines? Where are the others? But they... can't cope. Because only at first glance does the modeling business seem easy, fun and alluring? In fact, this is titanic work, with enormous competition, where the strongest survive. First of all, it is worth understanding that the work of a model is first and foremost a business, that is, making money. You will have to participate in numerous castings (of which there can be about 10 a day, all in different parts of a city unfamiliar to you), get up at 5 in the morning and go to bed at 1 in the morning, work exhaustedly on the set and be away from loved ones. And this is for pennies, because only superstars get paid a lot. The famous supermodel Natalia Vodianova recalled in an interview that at the beginning of her career she had to live in the same room with several girls, eat water and bread and run to castings, where they politely listened to her, looked at her portfolio and... sent her out into the street, promising to call her back. Many of her friends couldn’t stand it and went home. Are you ready to go through thorns to achieve your goal, to become famous model? If yes, let's move on.

How to become a model - step 2. What do you look like?

What do you need to look like to become a model? There are not many requirements here, but they are all very strict. Anyone who does not meet them is barred from entering the model. The most important thing is growth. Girls need to be tall, at least 171 cm, and for high fashion - at least 175 cm. You should not assume that in the modeling business good man there must be a lot. On the contrary, the hip circumference should not exceed 90 cm, the waist should not exceed 63 cm. The chest circumference is not so important, the main thing is that it does not look “heavy”. It’s better to get into modeling at a young age - from 14 years old, so you have the best chance of making a successful career. However, there are no age restrictions, especially, according to the site, now - the recent triumphant return of Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, Claudia Schiffer is proof of this. Under no circumstances should there be scars, piercings or tattoos on the body. It is advisable to grow your hair long, this is very welcome. Hair color should be natural, it should be healthy and well-groomed. The same can be said about nails and heels. The face should be beautiful and bright.

How to become a model - step 3. Study, study and study

Looks are important to become a model, but that's half the battle. This, as they say, was given by God. Next you need to have a certain character. The model must have such qualities as: sociability, determination, hard work, modesty (in moderation), charisma and the ability to present oneself. Very important to know English language! How is your language? Many girls, striving to become a model, pay minimal attention to moral, psychological and educational preparation, thinking that beauty will solve everything. This huge mistake, because no one will teach you the language, the ability to move, or communicate with fashion designers, so it’s better to “prepare the ground” in advance.

How to become a model - step 4. Finally, photos...

What, still want to become a model? Do you seriously want it, not like in a fairy tale, at the behest of a pike? Then let's get to the creative part. This will be your first portfolio. You need to take a couple of good pictures in which you will be seen, as they say, from all sides, multifaceted. Pictures are divided into 2 categories: snaps and the photos themselves. Snaps are your “technical” material. In these photos you should be as you are in ordinary life. This is a set of 6 photos: 3 in full height(front, profile, back), 3 portraits (the same). You can also play with emotions - show a smile, anger, etc. These photos should not have any retouching, makeup or jewelry. They are done in a swimsuit (so that the figure is visible) and black heels. In daylight, they can be done at home using any digital camera - for this you need a person who will take photographs (not necessarily a photographer) and a plain background (you can hang a sheet).

Other photos for a girl who wants to become a model should be beautiful, ideological, and interesting. Showcase yourself, your strengths, dissimilarity from others. Here your imagination can run wild! For this you already need a good photographer who works for a fee or on a TFP basis. TFP is a joint project between a model and a photographer, where both work for free, but agree on the terms of use of the photographs; these can be found on the Internet and popular social networks.

An important point is erotic shooting. Photographers often say that this way you can better show off your body, figure, etc. And then he uses these photographs at his own discretion, do you need this? Advice - no erotica or nudity, otherwise your career will be under serious threat at the very beginning of your journey.

How to become a model - step 5. Agency and application form.

Next, to become a model, you need to “convey” these same photographs to a modeling agency. Where to send them and how not to end up with charlatans? Unfortunately, no one will provide insurance. It's worth doing a little research. First, collect information about all agencies in the search engine. If you are from a small town where there are no modeling agencies, it doesn’t matter. Metropolitan agencies can work remotely, sending you straight to work in America, Europe or Asia. So, you have a list of modeling agencies. Look at the girls who are on the site, what level of models there is, what is the quality of the pictures. Models must be beautiful, have experience and a good set of professional photographs. Study the agency's news feed - read about their achievements, what kind of work the girls do, where and how much they travel, what companies/brands they work with. All these are objective indicators of the agency’s success. The age of the agency is also very important - the older it is on the market, the more experience, clients, models, and better reputation.

Have you chosen? Now feel free to fill out the form. Did you like several agencies? Write to everything. On the website of each agency there is either a registration section or contact information (e-mail) where you can send a questionnaire. Don't forget to indicate your height, age, parameters and feedback. Attach snaps and photos. If you are suitable, the answer will not be long in coming, and then your future is in your hands!

For
Tatiana Tikhovich All rights reserved

Reviews and comments (30)

I’ve been working as a model on the international market for five years now and I run my own blog, modemove, which might be interesting and useful for someone to read.

I want to become a model, but all this written looks somehow complicated. Can't it be simpler? It seems like there are some promoters or agencies who take you on, but they then take a lot from your income, they say.

Hi all. I want to become a model, I don’t know where to start, what to do.. Height 1.78, weight 65 kg. can you share your experience please?! I will thank you. I will be sooo grateful. thanks in advance

My dream is to become a model. I seem to fit, but I’m short. Waist-60. Height-164. Weight-48. Bust girth-82. Hip circumference - 84. I am 15 years old. I'm happy with the graphics

It’s very strange, it seems like they wrote in the article what needs to be done, but they still ask in the comments “where to start” :) For those who don’t understand, go to the website of any modeling agency, there’s more and more information there)

I have all the data, but I don’t know English. I'm 13 years old and I want to start a career. And now I will work hard on my English.

All my data is correct, but the problem is with the language, because I study German at school.

I'm short, but my figure is fine. I am sociable and modest. The thing is about my fashion show, before I didn’t want to do it, but now I’m really drawn to it. I really like it.

13 years old, height 156, normal figure, weigh 50 kg. Is there a chance?

Hello) I’m 13 years old (soon 14 years old) Height 167, weight 54, I don’t know, everything seems to be perfect :) But... I don’t know English

Hello, I’m 13 years old and will soon be 14, height 171, weight 49. Are there any chances in the modeling business? English I know is average

Victoria

I am 14 years old. My height is 176, weight 50 kg, waist 60, hips 83, chest 80. When I come to a photo shoot (only for myself) they tell me that I look very much like a model and have I thought about becoming one. I thought and thought and thought..... Can I become a model, and what are the chances??

I really want to become a model, height 1.67, weight 47, thin, but one question, do you have to be fair?

Hello everyone, my name is Diana and I am 14 years old. I understand that this may be a small age, but I am completely ideal in the sense that all my measurements fit. I really want to become a model.

I'm 13, height 168. But I'm still growing! I do exercises to grow. The parameters are good. Bright appearance, rare hair color.

Elizabeth

I have long dreamed of becoming a fashion model. Charisma, it's all there. Height 153, weight 43. Gorgeous figure, I don’t know English very well. 15 years old. I do gymnastics and acrobatics.

13 years old (14 in March); I do dancing, acrobatics, classical dance. I have been learning English since I was 6 years old (I passed the oral and written first international level (excellent and good)) From the next academic year I want to take up boxing and start learning Spanish. Everyone says that she is a beauty... But I am very critical of myself. Athletic build. The hair is not dyed, of good length.

To become a model you just need to wear fashionable things and be beautiful

Anastasia

I'm 15, my height is 176, measurements are 88, 63, 87. English 7/10. Weight 53 kg. I have modeling skills. I need a consultation with a person who can help me decide on my further actions regarding becoming a model.

Despite the fact that fashion, although a lofty concept, is somewhat ephemeral, it has a huge impact on our lives and our sense of self-worth. As a result, an increasing number of people want to become a part of the fashion industry, choosing professions related to it in one way or another. However, the most popular profession among young people is that of a model, which attracts with its external brilliance and enormous opportunities for self-realization.

Despite the fact that fashion, although a lofty concept, is somewhat ephemeral, it has a huge impact on our lives and our sense of self-worth. As a result, an increasing number of people want to become a part of the fashion industry, choosing professions related to it in one way or another. However, it is most popular among young people model's profession, which attracts with external brilliance and enormous opportunities for self-realization.

Sociological surveys show that every second girl under 19 has tried on the image of a successful top model at least once in her life: stylish, rich and famous. But what is most surprising is that recent years this profession is becoming popular among strong half humanity. However, with one amendment, most often young people do not consider it as a permanent place of work, and prefer to combine modeling work with study. However, for whatever reason, boys and girls strive to go on the podium, behind the glitter of the spotlights, the colorful covers of glossy magazines and the expectation of huge fees, they do not always notice all the pitfalls, difficulties and risks that can be encountered on the path to fame and wealth.

Who is this model?


(mannequin, fashion model) - a person who demonstrates clothes and shoes at shows, creating a certain image on the catwalk and trying to demonstrate all its advantages. Models are also participants in the process of making products in working fittings.

The name of the profession comes from the Latin modulus (model, norm), which fully reflects the essence of the model’s work - demonstrating the image. The first mention of models, who were previously called “mannequins,” dates back to the time of the creation of the first fashion houses in America. In Europe, the modeling profession appeared a little later, when Charles Worth picked up the idea of ​​American fashion designers and decided to show his collection on live mannequins, and Paul Poiret even went on tour with his models and team fashion models across European countries. Perhaps this is why, until the 20th century, girls showing ready-made items were perceived more as living hangers than as full-fledged participants in the creation of fashion collections.

Today, models are an integral part of the fashion industry, and they are subject to fairly stringent requirements based on the characteristics of their specialization. And this profession has quite a lot of specializations. This is a fashion model (work on the catwalk), a fashion model, a promotion model, a sitter, a web model, etc. One of the main requirements is compliance with external parameters.

Note that the most popular type today is delfa model, which is suitable for filming and photography, as well as for work on the catwalk, in advertising and promotions. The most difficult part is the part model, which can represent highly specialized products. And only a few representatives of the modeling profession fall into the category of the most exclusive models - high fashion models.

The professional responsibilities of a model depend on the specialization of the profession. However, in any case, the model must:

  • present clothing collections and create images that match them;
  • fulfill the director’s plan and convey to the viewer the general idea of ​​the show;
  • participate in staged filming, advertising and presentation events.

Recently, companies are increasingly inviting promotion models for advertising. brands, services or individual products. The choice of applicants in this case does not always depend only on external qualities, since the model who has become the “face of the company” must also be able to communicate with consumers and the press.

What personal qualities should/should a model have?


Tight and busy schedule model work, as well as constant competition requires endurance, perseverance, determination and willpower from a fashion model. The need to communicate with consumers during promotions expands the list of required qualities to include sociability and intuitiveness. And working in front of a photo and film camera requires the model to have such personal qualities such as emotionality and expressiveness.

But still, the main professional requirement is the compliance of the external, psychological and physical data of the girl/boy with the requirements of the fashion industry:

  • a figure that meets the standards;
  • good health and coordination of movements;
  • photogenic;
  • mental stability, speed of reaction;
  • ability to adapt to rapidly changing activities.

Let us note that at the dawn of the formation of the fashion industry, the fashion designers themselves, their immediate relatives, and everyone who agreed to show themselves acted as models. appearance clothes. Therefore, no special requirements were put forward for the models, the main thing is that they correspond to the size of the suit. Working as a model in the 21st century requires knowledge of the basics of acting, various techniques makeup, catwalk skills and even dance skills.

Advantages of being a model

For any girl whose appearance meets the requirements of the modeling business, advantages of being a model are obvious:

  • firstly, flexible work hours;
  • secondly, fairly high earnings (though provided that this is not a beginner model);
  • thirdly, the opportunity to gain a wide range of acquaintances (and not only in the fashion world);
  • fourthly, raising your own self-esteem, which can be useful in the future in any field of activity;
  • fifthly, the fiercest competition, as well as many hours of filming and showings develop character and will;
  • sixthly, the ability to maintain excellent physical shape and always look impeccable, regardless of external factors.

Disadvantages of being a model


However, you should not think that the modeling profession is one continuous holiday filled with unforgettable emotions and pleasant acquaintances. If you take a closer look at the lives of the most prominent representatives of the fashion industry, then disadvantages of being a model become as obvious as its advantages. In particular:

  • lack of official employment (even top models have contracts with modeling agencies, but do not have an entry in the work book);
  • constant search for orders and completion large quantity castings, that is, maintaining a high level of demand;
  • the need to maintain a certain weight and external data over a long period of time;
  • high competition;
  • great physical activity;
  • short period of active work (there are models with about 30 years of experience, but this is very rare).

Where can you get a modeling profession?

Get a modeling profession on the one hand it is very easy, but on the other hand it is quite difficult. The fact is that despite the fact that today in Russia there are a huge number of commercial Model Schools that invite everyone to study, they do not provide vocational education. But specialized universities or technical schools on the basis of which one can obtain this profession do not yet exist.

Of course, in Model Schools you will be offered training in catwalk, makeup, makeup, acting and plastic arts skills, which can help in mastering the profession of a model. However, in general, building a career in the modeling business will entirely depend solely on your perseverance and faith in your own strengths.

Note that since all models begin their job search by creating a portfolio, many Model Schools are willing to help their graduates with this. As a rule, these are Schools operating on the basis of prestigious Modeling Agencies that have close ties with large companies and fashion houses. Therefore, if you are sure that the modeling profession is your chance to break into the world of high fashion, to obtain primary professional skills, we recommend that you choose one of these best schools Russian models, How:

  • School of the international modeling agency Select Deluxe (St. Petersburg);
  • Model school VERONA (Moscow);
  • Russian Academy of Models (Moscow);
  • School of professional commercial models MEGA MODELS (Moscow);
  • First modeling agency (Moscow).

Instructions

Create a professional portfolio that will help you qualify for modeling school. It is necessary to include as many high-quality photographs as possible. Try to take full-length photographs more often to demonstrate all the advantages of your figure. Also take some portraits to show your soulful gaze, beautiful skin and sensual lips.

Make your portfolio as diverse as possible. To do this, you can include, in addition to color, black and white photographs. You should also take pictures not only in the studio, but also in various other settings. Always try to portray different poses, facial expressions and interesting costumes for photo shoots.

Follow the activities of model schools in your city. From time to time they recruit for courses, which is reported on the official website. In this case, you must immediately send a letter with an application for participation to the specified address, attaching a portfolio with photographs and information about yourself.

Wait for a response from the modeling school or visit it yourself. Be extremely careful, learn from models who have already completed courses. Find out who is on the faculty, what is required for admission, what the cost of tuition is, and what connections the institution has. It is very good if the chosen one cooperates with a professional modeling agency, in this case you will have a good chance of succeeding in the future as a model.

Take part in the competitive selection to study at a modeling school. The priority chances of passing it are those with a pleasant appearance, aged from 12 to 18 years, height from 170 cm and parameters (chest, waist, hips) closest to the values ​​of 90-60-90 cm. Applicants are usually interviewed, and it is precisely this that can help you stand out among a large number of competitors with an attractive appearance, figure and a rich portfolio.

Prepare for the interview. Choose the clothes that you think you look best in. Do not overdo it with cosmetics so as not to look too “pretty”. Before the meeting begins, the admissions committee will likely have already reviewed your portfolio, so be prepared to answer their questions. Very often, the selection jury asks applicants to tell us about themselves and why they decided to become models. You will have a chance to shine in front of the commission and produce positive impression, if you decide in advance how best to structure your story.

Start with the fact that you are a very versatile girl. It would be great if you tell us what successes you have achieved in school, sports and other areas of life (you can even demonstrate the diplomas and other awards you have received, if any). Next, you can tell the admissions committee that the next height you want to reach is modeling, and you really want to succeed in it, perhaps even connect your later life. All this will significantly increase your chances of “shinning” against the background of other applicants who are not very smart.