Main areas in Modeling Industry

This note is created to help those who interested in being a model or working in modeling industry.

I feel sad that majority thinks that Model is a easy job...and Models are all those kinky and empty brain :((. Oh man! That's hurt! I'm not a model but I know how tough this job is. They may not have the knowledge in politics, economics, or others...but at least they know about health, social, beauty, and importantly Fashion or Art world.

Well, if people respect Doctors because they save our life; Lawyers and Police because they fight for rights (well not REALLY in all cases :D ); Teachers because they give us knowledge...so Please appreciate Models because without them you will know how beautiful and meaningful your ASSETS (garments, accessories, cars, electronics, etc) is! Agree? Please say YES!

Basically, in the modeling industry there are many types of models. However, I would like to summarize the main areas for you guys to have the general ideas of what the industry concludes. This is very significant for you so as to select the right sit fitted with your criteria or conditions.

1. High Fashion

Photograph by Jason Christopher

Photograph by Azim Haidaryan

In this area, the model needs to fulfill very strict requirements from the industry. A high fashion model can transform to be commercial model, glamor model, etc. These models are there to promote or introduce products or some particular trends; they are not necessary required to convince the customers to buy the products.

You can look through the pictures of :

Famous female fashion model: Cindy Crawford, Gisele Bundchen, Tyra Banks, Naomi Campbell, Karolina Kurkova

Famous male fashion model: Jason Shaw, Marcus Schenkenberg, Travis Fimmel

Your works as a high fashion model are to do runway (fashion show), photograph for fashion brand catalogs (garments, accessories, etc) or produce picture for a particular publication, magazine, book.

Since this job is very attractive; and the earning is also higher than other types, the entrance is very narrow. It means you have to satisfy all of the below criteria.

Face look: strong bone structure (jaw and cheek bone), have a certain unique or special feature, a frigid/ fierce face.

Height: Female from and above 1.75m (5'9"); Male from and above 1.87 (6'2")

Weight: Female under 68 kg (150lbs); Male under 82kg (180lbs)

(Note that this weight estimation is suitable with the above height in term of BMI, but in real life the model - especially female - is required not to be over 60kg (130lbs) :( )

Petite model: Well! It's very hard to find a tall person which has all the conditions to be a fashion model. So, the term of Petite Model was born for someone who is under the above height. The industry creates a chance for them to shine as well :)

NOTE: You need to have strong charisma, personality, HEALTH and of course STRICT diet menu + exercise routine :D

2. Commercial

Lancome ads 2011

If you want to be commercial model, you will be engaged in advertisements, TV shows or other channels which the employers using to advertise the products with the purposes of selling them out.The products are vary. They can be clothes, shoes...or car, electronics, etc.

So what are the requirements?

Face look: friendly face which a beautiful smile in order to convince the customers to buy the products.

Height: Female from 1.67 (5'6"); Male from 1.80 (5'11")

Weight: depends on the advertisements' requirements.

3. Glamor/ Boudoir or Art

A lingerie fashion ads

Photograph by Jason Christopher

Plus size model: Lizzie Miller

In this area, the model is required to show off the beautiful of her or his own body...I mean! The very natural beauty so called "Edam and Eva" :)

Sometimes, they need models to wear the lingerie (underwear, bra), swimming suits for a particular advertisement such as: for Victory Secret and other lingerie brands;  or totally naked to make photograph or painting for the purpose of Art.

The requirements are not very strict. It very much depends on the favorite of employers and the artists hired you.

4. Specialty

Beauty shot or Head shot: introduce the makeup trend

Model: Anna Zajakovski with beauty shot

Model who is categorized as specialty model...means she or he just need to show a particular body part in the photos or advertisements. Such as: beauty of the face, hand, leg, feet, etc.

Again, you don't need to have a perfect body from head to toe. You just need to have a certain part be beautiful.