Fashion modeling is defined as displaying trends in costume, beauty, and grooming through using human subjects or the human form. Fashion trend first started in 1850s when Charles Worth used live models to sell clothes. This article provides information you should know about fashion modeling.
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What is modeling?
Modeling is a unique profession that hires people to apply specific talents in many interesting ways. A model works with fashion brands, designers, photographers, and artists to advertise a wide range of products. Models are generally chosen according to certain criteria and have stylists and makeup artists crafting their clothing, hairstyles, and appearance in order to present the best portray of their look in front of the camera.
Fashion models wear clothing and accessories to present brands and designers in photo shoots, commercials, and runway shows. To attract the most attention, models typically require both physical attractiveness and the ability to maintain an elegant and graceful appearance through long hours.
The main role of a model is to promote, display or advertise commercial products (mainly fashion clothing and accessories in fashion runs). They also play the role of a visual aid for artists or photographers.
What is an ideal model like?
As we will discuss in the following, there are different types of modeling in fashion industry. According to the type of fashion, models may try to have certain physical characteristics. For example, Catwalk models must be tall and slender, while glamour models are usually curvaceous. Alternative models are known with many tattoos and piercings, while commercial models should come with no body modifications. Some types of modelling go with medium height and some even need the minimum. Well-proportioned facial features, clear skin and healthy hair are necessary features to almost all types of modeling.
Further, fashion models need to show some certain personal requirements. They should be dedicated and patient, offer neat personal appearance, own an outgoing personality and communication skills which are essential in promotional work.
Details with some fashion models are more direct. Runway models must have precise measurements which enable them to fit the clothes that designers aim to show to their clients. Their measurements are usually no greater than 34 inches around the bust, 23 inches around the waist, and 34 inches around the hips.
Although many believe that models are paid well, it is clear that modeling comes in levels and each level is paid accordingly. The best paid models are high Fashion models who present clothing on the catwalks. These models work with all the high end designers and walk in famous fashion shows. They are usually very tall and slender. They have small measurements and are very lean. Runaway models also earn a good salary regarding their job difficulties.
Main types of modeling
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Editorial (Fashion) Modeling
Editorial modeling mainly focuses on print modeling for photography and advertisement. it presents the models that you see on bill boards and in those high fashion magazines such as Vogue and Elle. Fashion modeling focuses on photo shoots. Emmanuela de Paula is a perfect example of this type of modeling who has experience with three major areas of modeling, however, she is mainly experienced is print. Editorial modeling greatly goes well with models who are more introverted and prefer not be indirect contact with the public. Depending on the volume and importance of the photo shoot, this type of modeling only includes a professional team and the other models present at the shoots.
Editorial models also usually work for top fashion designers such as Marc Jacobs, Prada, and Gucci. As a whole, editorial modeling tends to be the most selective. Most Editorial models are incredibly tall, slim, and usually are known as the ‘complete package’ to modeling.
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Runway Modeling
Runway modeling is the next popular branch of modeling which is strictly dedicated to fashions advertisement. This modeling is perfect for those who are tall and thin with a real stage presence. Runway models should have the ability to rock a garment and wear it in the present of audience attending a runway. Kendall Jenner, popular and well-known model, is a good example of the type as the majority of her modeling endeavors are runway shows. Models with the experience in dance and gymnastics are often most gifted in this area since they show perfect dominant control over the kinesthetic of their figure. This type of modeling is done in person and it is very beneficial to have the confidence to model what they wear in front of a crowd. Since standards are known to be very high and there is no opportunity for computer generated enhancement in runway modeling, it is often seen as the hardest type of modeling. Further, it is real, live and up front and gives no chance for a mistake during the show.
Runway models are found on the catwalk and are hired to showcase a designer’s clothing line. They are often at a certain height and size standards and there is no opportunity for computer generated enhancement. Since brand designer prefer to show their clothes at certain size, models should be pretty tall and skinny to get the best fit for the show.
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Commercial Modeling
The third type of modeling is commercial modeling which focuses on film and advertisement. Commercial is different in that it may have celebrities as models since it is very open minded in terms of the type of people they accept. Typically, high fashion models are expected to be tall and slim, however, they are not restricted by age, height, or size. This type of modeling mainly focuses on presenting in front of cameras and showing the perfect personality. Therefore, famous celebrities, ranging from singers, movie starts and athletes, are paid to act as models and sell the product to the viewers due to their very weighted influence over the audience. This form of modeling is great for models who are bold, stand alone and look awesome on camera. Also, previous experience in acting is an advantage. Therefore, this modeling type is the most open to diverse and new talent. Commercial models advertise a wide range of products in catalogs, campaigns, and commercials.
Fashion Modeling courses
There were no specified professional degree courses in the field of modeling before 2000 and only some short time training or capsule modeling courses were stablished by some famous models in their own institutions.
Since then, however, different modeling schools have been established which provide young boys and girls modeling training. Studying fashion at university or collage makes it possible to learn about all aspects of the fashion industry, including broad technical skills and an understanding of the industry itself, its historical development, current trends, and contemporary issues surrounding fashion today, such as ethical sourcing, manufacturing and distribution. Further, courses offer training in walking, make-up application, hairstyling, posing, and other basic tasks in modeling. Modeling schools can be found almost all around the world but some of the best are in France, Italy and the US.
Some of the most famous modeling schools are as the following:
- Parsons, school for design and modeling in New York city
- The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York city
- Central Saint Martins in London
- London Collage of Fashion
- Istituto Marangoni in Milan, Italy
- Politecnico di Milano in Milan, Italy
- Ecole de la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne in Paris, France
- ESMOD in Paris, France
- Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp in Belgium
- Bunka Fashion College, Japan
It is important for models to take modeling courses at universities or collages since modeling agencies often send their represents to modeling schools to find potential models and invite them to join their companies. So, it is important for models to take the education which helps them enter the market as soon as possible.