So what are some of the major markets and types of modeling?

FASHION MODELING

The Garment and Beauty product industries are large users of models. People want to see what clothes or beauty products look like on somebody. Your high-fashion, designer-label garments, are designed for what fashion designers view as the “ideal woman.” This is someone tall and slender, somewhat leggy, with a swan like neck and very young. In major markets like New York, this is someone who is 5′9″ to 6′ tall and from a size 8 to a size 0 depending on what is in. (How Rare) For men it is at least 6 foot tall and a 40 regular – of course, you have to have that “look” to go with the clothes. In secondary markets we would like to have this but often work with fashion models that don’t meet these measurements. It is more important you just have a look of being tall and slender and that the sample clothes will fit you. The “look” can run from classic beauty to some extreme looks for fashion magazine editorial.

If you are going to work in front of the camera you need to be photogenic, and this you won’t know until you do a test shoot. Usually the face is oval shape, with symmetry to the facial features. Eyes are almond shape. The cheekbones should be strong and nose straight and proportioned. Lips should be full. (more details) All of this just puts you in the general category; from there it is a matter of what the market demands are.

On the money – Top New York High Fashion models (there are just a handful of these folks) make more money then any other models (I have seen incomes as high as eight million a year). By contrast a model doing a fashion show at a local mall may get paid nothing. This shows the wide range of income one might expect in fashion modeling. Most folks who try to make it as fashion models will earn almost nothing so don’t quit your day job.

TYPES OF FASHION MODELING:

FASHION EDITORIAL MODELING

Vogue, Elle, Glamour, Cosmo, etc. – these and many other magazines today that focus on fashion have lots of editorial pages they must fill each month. Many of these editorial pages feature models wearing what the magazine thinks will be the next trend in fashion. Editorial work does not pay as well as other types of high fashion modeling but it is great for building a model’s reputation and getting tear sheets for one’s portfolio. Also, because fashion magazines are not as constrained as advertising work, they can use more ‘extreme’ and ’special beauty’ models in their pages.

FASHION RUNWAY MODELING

Clothing designers traditionally show their new collections twice a year (Fall and Spring) to perspective (store) buyers. (buyers is a key word here, if some one is putting on a fashion show without buyer then it is entertainment) As an example, the New York Ready Wear shows just finished with 110 designers presenting collections for Fall 2000 (post 9/11 the number of designers has fallen 30%). Designers present these collections to a gathering of buyers by sending models down a walkway or runway. How well a model brings the clothes to life and shows important features of the garments can determine how well they sell. So it is worth it to a designer to have the most ideal models show these collections. This leads to why models have to meet very strict requirements and why they get such high fees for this type of work (modeling agencies have also forced up fees). These young models tend to be very tall, slender and move very well in clothes.

FASHION CATALOG MODELING

There are a lot of clothing catalogs produced. (I know because my significant other gets most of them and tries to keep them all in business by constantly buying from them.) These catalogs, whether business-to-business, store, or direct marketing, require models to pose in the clothes they are trying to sell. (Except for Coldwater Creek who has done a brilliant job of styling their Spring clothing catalog without using any models.) Generally, catalog models are picked for a project because they represent the ideal of the market segment for which that catalog is targeted (not many 20 year olds in J. Jill catalog). Often times this is the classic beauty – tall, slender, healthy, and beautiful. The marketing idea is for transference, i.e. if you buy these clothes you will look as nice as the person pictured in the catalog. Catalog modeling usually pays well because of the volume of photos that must be taken. When I was sharing space with a couple of photographers who shot for a department store chain they could be shooting for weeks with models to produce one catalog. That is a lot of billable hours.

FASHION PRINT MODELING

This is fashion and beauty for print advertising. It can be display ads or collateral print materials. This is the most demanding work to get but pays the best because of usage and exclusives. These are the ads that can make or break a designer’s reputation. With these ads it is very important that the concept, photo, and model work perfectly to convey the ‘image’ that is wanted.

FASHION SHOW ROOM MODELING

Modeling for buyers in the designer’s show room.

FASHION LINGERIE MODELING

Because this type of modeling may be more revealing it requires very good body tone and proportions.

FASHION BATHING SUIT MODELING

Again, more revealing requires excellent body tone and a healthy look. A number of years ago (like 30, boy am I getting old) we had Jantzen and White Stag here in Portland. Back then I was a competitive swimmer and they would come around the pool and hire models from the swim team – in this case the models were very fit.

FASHION FITNESS MODELING

As health and fitness has moved more into the public consciousness a greater demand has grown in this type of modeling. Of course being in the city with the corporate headquarters for Nike, Adidas, and Columbia Sportswear makes it very noticeable here. Where once everyone exercised in baggy gray sweats, fitness attire continues to evolve and become more everyday wear. Add to this all of the fitness, health, and outdoor lifestyle magazines that are on the newsstands and you have a fast growing category for modeling.

FASHION FIT MODELING

Fit models have the perfect proportions for a given clothing size. Garment manufactures and designers hire fit models to use to piece together new creations, see how they move, and develop their patterns. The key for a fit model is to never gain or loose an inch. A clothing manufacturer may hire a fit model as a permanent salary position. It is one type of legitimate modeling that you can see advertised in the classified section of the newspaper. I used to see ads for fit models in our local newspaper for Jantzen and Pendleton.

FASHION TEAROOM MODELING

This once was very popular (the ’80s) in smaller markets. Usually it would be at ladies’ luncheons where models would wander between tables wearing designer clothes from local fashion boutiques. The models would describe the outfit they wore and where to buy it. Not big bucks, but a place to start and gain confidence in a small market.

FURTHER DIVISIONS

These categories can have further sub-categories for size – petite and plus, and for age – children, preteen, and mature. Petite size models usually are 5′2″ to 5′6″. Plus size is the same height as standard size models but size 14 -16. Main stream models usually start in around 14 years of age and go to their early twenties. Obviously pre-teen is before this age and mature is everything after it.

A category of modeling will only be found where there are clients to support it. Since almost all of the fashion magazines are based in New York, that is where you will find work in the fashion editorial modeling category.

A category of modeling will only be found where there are clients to support it. Since almost all of the fashion magazines are based in New York, that is where you will find work in the fashion editorial modeling category.

BODY PART MODELING

Body part modeling is a special category that belongs in both fashion and commercial modeling. This is the use of just part of the body in a photograph. Often standard models that look great in full-length shots or headshots don’t look so good close up. Their hands or feet may look horrible. This is where the body parts model comes in. We will set up a shoot using the standard model’s face but the body part model’s hands and it looks like it is just one person. Usually body part models will specialize in just one part of the body like hands, feet, legs, ears, or neck.

Hand models are one type of body part model that I have had more call for. With hand models we look for long slender graceful hand and fingers. We also look for smooth (no wrinkles, hair or large pours), clear (no blemishes or irregular color) skin, and very good nails. The ability to pose the hand in a relaxed graceful fashion is very important. This is like a hula dancer that can tell a story with their hands and avoid what I call “the claw” that most folks produce when put in front of the camera.

Body parts model follow a similar path as regular models with finding modeling agencies, building portfolios and having comp cards. They simply pursue a very special niche market.

COMMERCIAL MODELING

Commercial modeling is sort of the catch all for everything that isn’t fashion and isn’t glamour. It is vast and diverse. The physical requirements can vary greatly. The ‘look’ can be mom, business executive, scientist, glamorous beauty, etc. The pay can be good but not to the level of the top fashion model and commercial models tend to find work less often. But it can be an area on can work part time at their whole life. Again, the purpose is to sell something – a product, service, or idea.

TYPES OF COMMERCIAL MODELING:

COMMERCIAL PRODUCT MODELING

Generally we are generating a photo to sell a product and the model is used to show how the product is used. Also, model may be used to convey an image about a product. An example would be a model dressed like a doctor holding a blood pressure device. This gives an image of medical authority being behind the product. There is also the old Madison Avenue technique of selling a product by putting someone attractive by it. Although it may not be politically correct to do this, it still is done and it works. People stop to look at a pretty face, not at another vanilla computer box. The physical requirements and look for commercial product modeling can vary a great deal. It all depends on the image or story you are trying to tell. This is where character models are used.

COMMERCIAL LIFESTYLE MODELING

Models are used in photos showing a period of life or doing something in life. The photo might be an older couple walking on the beach and the photo is used in the advertising materials for a new retirement resort. Or a photo of a young couple playing in a park with their children and the photo is used in an ad for a life insurance company. The models are used to act out some concept or idea of life. The physical requirements, age, size, etc. can vary greatly. But most often they use the “beautiful people” in these photos rather then real folks off the street.

COMMERCIAL CORPORATE MODELING

Corporate modeling is like Lifestyle but it always has a business theme. Again physical requirements can vary greatly, but usually attractive people are used – although sometimes character models are used.

PRODUCT DEMO MODELING

In smaller markets this seems to be a favorite area to start models. Models stand in front of, or in a store or mall, and hand out free samples of something. The idea is they want someone attractive that people will be drawn to and will work for just a few hours or a few days. When you are young and starting out this pays better then any regular job and it can really build your confidence around people.

TRADE SHOW MODELING

Once again attractive people are attention getters. When a trade show comes to town some exhibitors may hire models to hand out literature at their booths. One of the classics examples of this is the auto show. Again, it gives some income when you are starting out and gets you in front of the public.

SPORTS/FIT MODELING

This is kind of lumping a lot together but this has been a growing area in modeling. With sport attire companies like Nike and the increase number of personal sports, fitness and outdoor magazines the need for models that look like they actually know what they are doing has grown. The idea is to look good and actual be proficient at the activity being photographed.

HOBBY MODELING

This is modeling for the fun of it, to help out a cause or a place to get started. Some folks may never make a living at modeling but enjoy being in front of the camera or being on the runway. It also ties in with organization that might put on a fashion show as a fundraiser. There have also been cases where some one may start modeling just for fun and this may some day lead to a career.

ALTERNATIVE MODELING

This term has been coined for the whole gothic/punk modeling. This is a very specialize niche.

WARM BODY MODELING

This is may own term (unflattering as it is) . This is where you just need someone to put in a photo. When doing an outdoor tourist bureau type photos you often find you need someone hiking a trail or standing at an overlook, this is where you need a warm body to help animate the photo. This type of modeling does not pay much and may even be done on spec, but if you like doing outdoors or tourist activities it is a chance to make a dollar while having fun. This type of modeling can be open to all ages and sizes.

GLAMOUR MODELING

I am getting a lot of young visitors (under 18) to this site so I won’t go into this too deeply. Glamour modeling is modeling for photos with a sexual theme. This might be a simple cheesecake or beefcake photo. They can include bikini, sexy outfits and lingerie modeling. On the cheesecake level, photos can be used for calendars, posters, and other pin-up girl products. You can’t pick up a car magazine without seeing a babe by the car or truck. As one moves to greater states of undress you move to the adult entertainment industry with high-end men’s magazines like Playboy and then on down to the low-end back-ally magazines. But it is the Internet that dominates this field and is now loaded with all levels of sexual model photos. Glamour modeling and its triple X component is a very big industry. Top glamour models can make as much as top fashion models. But what is different from other types of modeling is all grade levels in glamour modeling can make good money. There are no height or size requirements as in fashion modeling. Where fashion modeling wants you to look like a beanstalk, glamour modeling wants you to have curves like a young Pamela Anderson. Where fashion may want a ’special beauty look’, glamour modeling wants traditional drop dead gorgeous; where fashion really only happens in New York, glamour can happen anywhere and does.

You have to be over 18 to do glamour modeling even cheesecake. With the way the laws are today a photographer runs a real risk doing any kind of sexy photo with someone under 18. With news story reporting mothers are being thrown in jail for photographing their own children taking a bath and putting the photo in a family album, I think the risk is too great and the return too small to do any glamour work with someone under 18. But this field is wide open once one is of legal age. Unlike fashion modeling where you career is over by the time you are 30 with glamour your career could be just getting started. There is even demand good looking grandmothers in their 50’s and 60’s.

This field is easy to get started in, as there are a lot of photographers who would love to do test shoots and photo assignments on spec. Finding work and getting test shoots has been made easy with several web sites that cater to this field, although getting top high paying work can take as much effort as becoming a high fashion model. I will leave details and how this is all done to some other web sites. But a couple of references are Teezemagazine.com that covers the bikini, lingerie market and adultmodelingbook.com for a how to book on success as an adult internet model.

c/o modelingadvice.com

Meeting your boyfriend’s friends can be like meeting his second family. Chances are their opinion of you may matter to him the most. Don’t let this scare you though, let it reinforce you’re desire to get to know them. Impress the guys with these three tips.

1)Keep your distance from your guy
His friends will notice if you never leave his side and talk in baby talk to your boyfriend the entire time you’re hanging out. Everyone hates the couple that acts too lovey-dovey in a big group. Save the mush for later, and make sure everyone feels comfortable. It’s fine to stick to your guys side in the beginning, but don’t attach yourself to his hip all night long.

2)Be one of the guys
If you don’t normally tell fart jokes or yell at the TV during a football game, you don’t need to do so to impress them. Don’t wait for them to ask you questions, jump right in and start a conversation. Mention something your boyfriend has mentioned about them. If Jimmy likes music, ask him what his favorite band is and what concerts he’s attended. Greet them by telling them you’ve heard a lot about them and are so happy to finally meet them. Try to break the ice by telling a joke. Memorize a few to keep on hand and to keep the laughs coming.

3)Don’t worry… Show them your personality
If his friends know you solely as their friend’s girlfriend, they’ll never get to know the real you. Just act like yourself. He likes you for a reason, and his friends will like you for those reasons too. Guys are generally easygoing, so don’t treat this like a formal event. Unless you decide to be too quiet or even worse, obnoxious — then there may be some problems.

c/o cosmogirl.com

Rainy weather, killer cramps— they’re no obstacle to beauty when you’re armed with these tips.

Beauty Bummer: The Weather Sucks

April showers often mean frazzled hair and a face as gray as the day. But we’ll have none of that!

1. Carry a white umbrella. A white umbrella (polka dots optional) will reflect a hint of light onto your face, brightening up your skin tone, says New York City photographer Cliff Watts.

2. Outwit frizz. Frizz serum is a must on dreary days. The trick, says L.A. stylist Jonathan Antin, star of Bravo’s Blow Out, is to apply an even coat to wet hair. Try Paul Mitchell Gloss Drops, $15.

3. Get glowing. Everything is dewier on rainy days, so go for radiance. “Slick on a tinted moisturizer and a peach or fuchsia lip gloss; they’ll bring a healthy gleam,” says Mally Roncal, the makeup artist who beautifies Beyoncé. A sexy selection: CoverGirl WetSlicks in Peaches N Gleam, $5.

4. Splash on some color. Go for a sky blue or grass green eye shadow. “Since they’re cool tones, they’ll be an alluring contrast to all that gray,” says Roncal. We like Almay Bright Eyes Shimmer Pearls in Violets Are Blue and Over the Rainbow, $7.50 each.

5. Make waves. Humidity has natural curling power, so come-hither coils are a great option for wet weather. Tousle in a curl enhancer, then twirl sections around your finger, aiming a blow-dryer with a diffuser at each spiral for a few seconds, says NYC salon owner Mark Garrison, who’s tended to Scarlett Johansson’s tresses.

6. Do coif damage control. If your hair falls victim to a sudden downpour, head to the nearest restroom and blast it with the hand dryer. To control frizz on your ends, smooth on a little gel, hand lotion or lip gloss — anything gooey you’ve got.

Beauty Bummer: You’re Running Ragged

Staying up to catch Colin Farrell on Conan O’Brien seemed like a great idea at 12:30 a.m., but now your 7 a.m. alarm is buzzing, and you’re beat.

1. Say bye-bye to eye bags. “Use Preparation H — just keep it a millimeter from your lashes,” says Marguerite McDonald, M.D., clinical professor of ophthalmology at Tulane University in New Orleans. “It will tighten the puffy skin.” (Do this only occasionally.) Or try an eye cream with caffeine or mint — both can help shrink dilated blood vessels. We love MAC Fast Response Eye Cream, $26.

2. Be a nudist. When you look haggard, go for peach and brown blush and shadow shades. “These neutral tones warm up a drained complexion,” says Emir, NYC makeup and hair artist to Mariska Hargitay. Try Maybelline Expert Wear Blush in Brick Rose, $6.

3. Stop circles. To hide dark under-eye rings, pat on a concealer one shade lighter than your skin tone, says Roncal. You can also mix a tiny bit of soft white cream eye shadow with your regular concealer. Try Mark I-Sheer in Glacee, $5.

4. Get perky. There’s a reason why you crave OJ in the a.m.: “Data shows that citrus scents are stimulating and make you feel more alert,” says Helen Murphy, a fragrance developer for International Flavors and Fragrances. Rev up with a crisp citrus perfume like Escada Rockin’ Rio, $50.

Beauty Bummer: You’re Illin’

A scratchy throat, a case of the sniffles, watery eyes — in short, you’ve got a license to ill, as the Beastie Boys would say. To avoid looking beastly…

1. Whiten up. To cure red eyes, lie down on a pillow and put a cold pack over your orbs. “This whitens them in just a few minutes by constricting the blood vessels,” says Dr. McDonald.

2. Liven your lips. A rosy pink gloss or stain is the perfect shade for a can’t-call-in-sick day. “The color brings a vitality to your pucker, unlike nudes, which can make you look corpselike,” says Emir. A great choice: BeneFit The Gloss in Miss Priss, $14.

3. Go for the bronze. Piling pink blush on a face that’s feverish can leave you…fuchsia. What looks better, according to Troy Jensen, makeup artist to Gwyneth Paltrow, is “a creamy bronzer. It counteracts the pinkness.” We recommend Estée Lauder Amber Bronzer Crème, $28.50.

4. Prevent a cold sore. Act fast, says bicoastal dermatologist Karyn Grossman, M.D. “Ask your doctor for Valtrex the minute you feel a tingle.” Also, use over-the-counter Abreva to speed up healing.

Beauty Bummer: PMS Has Struck

Even if you feel moody and monstrous and are coping with killer cramps, you don’t have to forfeit your clear skin, carved cheekbones, or sexy smile.

1. Beat breakouts. “Shrink a monster zit with a dab of hydrocortisone cream (like Cortaid),” says San Francisco dermatologist Kathy Fields. “It’s an anti-inflammatory, which reduces the redness and swelling.” Then cover the spot with concealer spiked with benzoyl peroxide.

2. Break the ache. On crampy days, treat yourself to a two-minute full-body scrub-down in the shower using a stiff-bristled body brush. Long strokes can be as soothing as a massage.

3. Banish bloated cheeks. “Water retention can show up in your face,” says Dr. Grossman. “Get your cheekbones back by dusting bronzer onto the hollows of your cheeks; then sweep peach blush on the apples,” says Roncal. She created Mally Beauty Shimmer, Shape and Glow in Life Is Lighter and Love Is Deeper, $50.

4. Cut the grease. “Hormonal fluctuations can make your scalp greasier,” says Oakland, California, dermatologist Katie Rodan. To degrime your mane, brush your hair to move the oil away from the scalp. Then lift roots and mist them with hair spray to keep them from sticking to your head.
Pillowtime Prep

Know tomorrow morning’s going to be crazy? What you do the night before can help.

1. Shower and do a blowout before bed. Tie your hair back in a low ponytail to keep it neat while you sleep. Also, swipe on deodorant. New formulas work for 24 straight hours. Try Ban Invisible Solid, $3.

2. Do an at-home face peel. It will help ensure that you wake up glowing. Be sure to moisturize too.

3. Sleep on a satin pillowcase. Perk 1: You won’t wake up with a rat’s nest, since the fabric is so slippery. Perk 2: You won’t get a horrid stiff-sheet crease on your face.

c/o realbeauty.com

For dry skin, exfoliating helps remove ashiness or buildup of dead skin cells that leave the complexion looking dull. For women with oily or acne-prone skin, exfoliation removes the excess dead skin that can clog pores and cause acne. Combination skin reaps double benefits. Those with sensitive skin need not be wary of exfoliants, but more on this below.

As with sunblocks, there are two types of exfoliants: physical and chemical. Physical exfoliants include anything from a washcloth with a slightly rough texture to a facial scrub, to a cream or lotion with tiny granules in the formula that help to remove excess dead skin. Both accomplish the same thing: They remove the dead cells from the top layer of skin. Washcloths are generally used while cleansing the face; facial scrubs can be used in addition to or in place of regular cleanser. Any type of exfoliation should be done gently. Never tug or pull at the skin or scrub roughly. As with cleansing, your skin should feel soft and pampered afterward, not rubbed raw. Exfoliating in this manner should be done up to three times a week. Doing it every day can be excessive and won’t really make a difference in the appearance of your skin.

Chemical exfoliants come in the form of lotions or creams or toners that you apply to your face after cleansing. The ingredients in these exfoliants are usually some type of acid: alpha hydroxy (AHA) and beta hydroxy (BHA) acids are the most common. These acids work by gently sloughing off dead cells from the surface of the skin throughout the day. Some of the creams are gentle enough that you can apply them daily, but monitor your skin to see whether that is really necessary.

One bonus of AHAs: In cream form-which tends to be slightly more moisturizing, depending on the skin type they are made for-its repairing properties work to minimize wrinkles by ultimately affecting the deeper layers of the skin. Since the top layer of excess skin cells are being removed, fresher, younger skin is being uncovered, diminishing the appearance of fine lines. Chemical exfoliants are not a cure for wrinkles-the best weapon against arrugas is and always will be sun protection-but many women who use them notice a nice “plumping” effect on the skin.

As with moisturizers and cleansers, the range of exfoliating creams has broadened beyond the targeted categories of oily, dry, or combination skin. There are exfoliating creams for the hands, undereye area, lips, body, and feet. When it comes to the face, the general rules outlined above are the most helpful: Stick to a formula that matches your skin type.

Sensitive skin types should incorporate exfoliation with a very gentle facial scrub or with a soft washcloth massage. Stay away from chemical exfoliants altogether.

c/o realbeauty.com