The fashion industry has not escaped the financial melee of the down economy. Many models have noticed that fewer opportunities are being made available in markets such as New York, Miami, Los Angeles. And as a result casting directors, advertisers, clothing lines, boutiques, even photographers, and makeup artists only want to work with the best models, with the best attitudes. These gatekeepers of fashion jobs can either hire or decline a model’s submission based on whether they fit into these two categories: Wanna-be Model or Gonna-Be Model.

Who would be considered a Wannabe Model?

With reality TV shows like America’s Next Top Model (ANTM), Project Runway, Make Me a Model, Keeping up with The Kardashians, and Kell on Earth promoting the excitement and spoils of the fashion industry, it makes sense that impressionable minds would want to follow in that world of designer clothes, runways, and casting calls. However, these people often times aren’t willing to do what it takes to follow this dream to the fullest, putting themselves in the class of Model Wanna-bes.

If you fit these descriptions, you’re a certified Wanna-beModel/Actor/Actress:

• Modeling is not your job. It is your hobby.
• You don’t treat every gig/shoot with the same respect as a paid one. Losing a possibly large opportunity and burning bridges in the process, wasting production’s time when you no-show.
• You are scatter-brained and nonchalant in your communication.

Bottom-line: People remember you in a negative light. Depending if you do this enough times, you are “black-balled” in a way. You can never assume who-know-who.When your name is brought up or you are seen at an industry event

Who would be considered a Gonna-Be Model?

Having natural talent, good looks, and a pleasant personality is helpful, but success in the fashion & talent industry requires much more. You have to be determined, and you have to be professional. You’ll need to know your limitations and work with people that provide constructive criticism so that you are aware of those limitations.

If you fit these descriptions, you’re a certified Gonna-be Model/Actor/Actress:

• You put every ounce of your being into researching possible job opportunities online, networking, word-of-mouth, and sharpening your skill in any and every way you find available to you.
• You treat every gig/shoot with the same respect as a paid one.
• You read instructions and details. Your communication is also clear and concise.
• You are on time, make the necessary preparation for every casting, every photo shoot, and video shoot.

Bottom-line: People remember you in a positive light, and even sometimes give you referrals because of your work ethic.

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With a height of 5′6.5 according to Wikipedia. Kate Moss has been an unstoppable force for almost past a decade now.
Magazine after magazine, runway after runway, campaign after campaign, backs up the fact: height is not necessarily the main factor that governs the success of a fashion model. The “it” factor is what stands the test of time. Every client is looking for the model who can represent their brand and stimulate the senses of the consumer in every way.

Kate Moss Calvin Klein Print Advertisement

The “it” factor is what does it. “It” can be anything the client wants it to be. A look.A demeanor. A presence. An attitude.
Don’t fret if you don’t land that audition, or book that casting. It’s not a cold, flat-out rejection. Unless the client tells you otherwise,
you just didn’t have what they were looking at that particular time,for that particular gig. Fine. Let it discourage you.
Let it urk you for a bit. But don’t let it defeat you. Your individual “it” factor may not work for them, but it doesn’t mean it
wont work for everyone and anyone other client.Remember, if you don’t believe you have “it”, how will anyone else believe?

Kate Moss as clearly seen standing next to Diddy, has a short stature, yet is compelling force in fashion industry. Photo courtesy of Vogue Magazine (October 2009)

SIDE NOTE: As you can see, Diddy has been making fashion faux pas even in 1999 with his pimp coat.

Diddy ringing in sales at Sean John. Photo courtesy of Vogue Magazine (October 2009)

In a more recent photo,Diddy was pictured at Fashion’s Night Out in NYC on September 10th trying to bring back “grillz” and a Mr.T chain. If I recall correctly, Nelly’s single “Grillz” came out in 2006. Its now practically 2010. Diddy,for the sake of your remaining fans, myself included, please stick to the “Sean John Billboard in Times Square” look. Please. (Please?)

Other interesting celebrity height facts FYI according Google research:
**Gia Carangi was- 5′7 (has a must read bio)
Eva Pigford – 5′6.5
Audrey Hepburn – 5′7
Twiggy from ANTM – 5′6
Marilyn Monroe – 5′5.5
Alicia Keys – 5′6
Shakira – 5′2

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I started off by paying a modeling school to train me on how to walk the runway, pose for photos, and how to apply makeup for professional photography. Although I could have learned these skills on my own – without paying for training – I did benefit from the walking and makeup lessons, which helped my confidence as a young adult to break away from my awkward teenage stage.

In all, if you decide to get into modeling do not pay anyone for training. Most of the time models are discovered by a legit modeling agency like Ford, and Elite. Sometimes you are required to pay some money for your comp cards, but this should only be a percentage from your paycheck that you will get from your modeling assignments. Legit modeling agencies will also require that at least 20% will come out of your modeling paycheck, and this helps their agency to pay bills and  their staff. If you are a discovered model, you won’t be worrying about the 20% too much.

If you are petite like me and so happen to not be discovered you can start modeling voluntarily within your community, for tea room apparel and runway shows, through your local women’s groups and fashion boutiques.

If you have Adobe Photoshop and some great 5×7 card stock for your printer and some great photos that a local Photographer had helped you obtain by trading your time and his time for prints, then you are all set to make up your own professional looking modeling comp/zed cards, to market yourself to legit modeling agencies. Be sure to look up modeling comp card styles on the internet, which includes zoning professional modeling websites to see their preferred format.

Looks are seasonal within the fashion industry and their is tons of competition, so keep in mind that if you are not discovered, you are still a beautiful person, with opportunities only if you keep trying.

Remember to check out your local Photographers for TFP shoots and your communities event coordinators, women’s groups and boutiques for your own modeling assignments to build your resume and to work towards a paid modeling career. Have fun and feel beautiful.

Photography by: FASHIFY Magazine

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