What do you believe "makes" someone model material?

[ebbyeb]

Everyone has a different idea on what sort of features contribute to someone's candicy value in being a potential model. And I don't mean "model" as in magazine cover photo modeling necessarily. You can easily become a model, actually. As for making good money? That's a different story completely. But you see people's faces in ads and commercials and general marketing literally ALL the time. That doesn't necessarily make them famous or anything. Just your standard model.

But what kinds of things do you think make up the ability for someone to potentially be a model?

[Quintessence]

Everything I know about the modelling industry is anecdotal, but if I had to speculate on the prerequisites for success, I'd say it breaks down into 3 areas: physical features, personality, and connections.

It's a given that if you're aiming to model, your physical attractiveness rating should be high by general standards. Pretty much all kinds of modelling require a conventionally-attractive face and a well-proportioned body, but the exact ideal features vary by sub-industry. Editorial and runway modelling, for example, have the stringiest standards for height and body measurements (if you're off by an inch or two for either one, it's a no-go). Commercial and catalog modelling, by comparison, are more lax with their standards, and the exact requirements depend on the brand for which you're modelling. Even within that category, there are sub-categories: for example, there's fitness modelling, which requires more muscle tone; swimsuit/lingerie modelling, which requires you to have bigger 'assets'; cosmetic modelling, which requires you to have extremely symmetrical facial features; general fashion vs petite vs plus-size modelling, and so on. Obviously, the more standards you meet, the more you increase your chances at success.

But, that's not all. Beauty might be the bulk of it, but personality-wise, I don't think it's an understatement to say that if you want to model, you need to be self-confident and emotionally resilient. I had a friend who went into the modelling industry (and reached quite a bit of success, actually), and she told me that for every word of praise you receive, you have to stomach at least twice that amount of criticism. You're facing judgment from all directions. If you can't handle that--and GRACEFULLY, too--I don't think you'd go very far.
This kind of ties into the final area: personal connections. You need to be a person that's naturally good at networking, who enjoys human interaction and being in the spotlight. Suffice it to say, I don't think introverts like me would make good models. In addition to that, the higher up you go on the fame ladder, the more of people-conscious you have to be. The more of a style icon you become, the more you're representing OTHER people--corporations, fashion designers, the industry for which you work, other celebrities, etc. This means that the more your name gets known, the more you have to watch yourself--how you dress, what you say, where you go, etc. It's a socialite's life, basically.

[ebbyeb]

That's very informative and complete! I agree entirely! That's extremely well said! :)

[Quintessence]

Thanks. :) Lol, looking back at it, I didn't intend to write an essay, but my typing ran away with me! (If my life was a book, that would be its title.) XD

[ebbyeb]

Haha!! Yeah I totally get ya 😂👌🏼 and I totally think you should write a book sometime!! If not one, many! Because slag girl slay! ⚔

[SarahsSummer]

Having the right look at the right time. the industry goes through phases so luck will have something to do with it. it’s not the same look every year but in general, models need to meet a certain requirennts. You need to be photogenic. Meaning looking great on camera with or without makeup. Some people may be beautiful but just not take good pictures. Height requirement. clothes look better on taller women with long legs. You need to look good in whatever they give you to wear and shorter girks with short legs just dont look great in all clothes. So body proportions are also necessary. facial symmetry, chiseled features. cheekbones. Then there are weight requiremts. you generally need to have a BMI around 18.
And lastly, a good positive attitude is necessary, willing to work long hours and follow direction and get along well with others well are a must. Divas need not apply.

[ebbyeb]

Nicely said! That last line was the best ever 😂😂

[LizHeart]

It’s the hard truth, but you HAVE to be pretty to make GOOD money obviously. If you don’t look good and are just pushing yourself out there as a average looking girl (Idk what you look like) no agencies will accept you after a certain point. Usually being tall 5”7-5”11 (without shoes on) grabs MAJOR attention from agency directors.. you can’t look like a average girl pointers (people who go out and look for people on behalf of the agency) can just find on the street anywhere. To make GOOD money as a model you have to look GOOD, simple. The better you look the better the money agencies will get you. It’s harsh but it’s the truth, someone has to tell you that at some point, can’t delusional about it.

[ebbyeb]

I don't mean necessarily got myself I just mean in general. Trying to take different cultures into account and personal opinions. It's interesting to learn about. But I mean, quite frankly, someone's attractive levels are subjective.
For example, meet Winnie Harlow..
cdn.cnn.com/.../...e-harlow-crop-2-super-tease.jpg

Personally, I don't find her skin disorder as attractive.. But it's all personal opinion, ya know? I love that she doesn't let it bring her down and that she has courage to be herself. It's just not within my viewpoints on what I personally deem as attractive.. Interesting? It certainly is.

[LizHeart]

You know what I’m talking about though. You most likely don’t have a skin disorder so you have to do it the old fashion way like every other normal girl trying to be a model right now.

[Phyllis91]

Its all about how you feel about yourself. If you dont believe you are attractive you may as well stay home. It comes across in the photos.

[ebbyeb]

Hm yeah that's an interesting concept that I've actually noticed when looking at models on IG and whatnot.

[Phyllis91]

It was one of the first things they asked me before I started modeling. They said if I didn't have confidence in myself then there was no way I could be a model. I had it and I have been modeling for some now.

[ebbyeb]

Ah gotcha gotcha. Well hey, I'm glad it's all gone well :)

[Phyllis91]

Me too. Its been loads of fun.

[ebbyeb]

That's great to hear! I've personally considered maybe attempting to model lightly as people have told me all my life that I should and it's some extra cash to the side. I guess I view it as an opportunity that has the potential to work out. I've also already got connections in the industry so I don't think it'd be too hard to start 👌🏼

[Phyllis91]

Just a suggestion make sure you have someone go with you on photo shoots unless you know the photographer and company very well. Plus there are websites out there you can put photos and you information on that professional photographers use to find models. I am under contract right now. Thats why I can't post photos of me. They belong to the agency or the company I did the work for. Try and find a good agent/agency to work with. And dont go to a modeling school. Most are ripoffs. Helen Wells is a good one.

[ebbyeb]

Ah gotcha! Thanks so very much for the advice! I'll poke into it! :)

[Tomsta]

Id say its a 60/40 on looks and confidence in fronr of a camera.

You also have to know what area you are aiming for. Your not going to be a 'regular' lingere model if your on the larger side. It doesn't work like that

Now if you were going for plus sized lingere modelling and your on the larger side then that would work better

[Anon-ymous1]

The ability to smile and hold poses over, and over, and over again. And to not complain about it during that time. Also, be fit/thin and have a decent smile. That's all.

[LittleSally]

Being skinny, having good bone structure, being beautiful in general usually helps too, having charisma puts you in the top 10 also.

[ebbyeb]

That's definitely very true!

[Richareens]

Honestly any one can be a model. One who isn't even exotic or "beautiful" to many would look the opposite in other parts of the world. But it seems like many blondes tend to be models easily, well at least to the likes of the media.

[ebbyeb]

That's very true. Different cultures hone in on different beauty characteristics

[Astoriana]

I have seen a lot of models who I don’t believe to be attractive. I think they’re hust tall, thin people who have an “interesting” face. Whatever that means to their agency.

[ebbyeb]

Yeah I know what you mean

[BarbieLola]

It depends on what type of modeling it is and I think it comes down to if the casting agency thinks he/she has “it” or not

[ebbyeb]

Very true!

[Leanandgreen]

First the basics; heigh, build, bonen structure and photogenicness. Followed by charisma, personality, confidence and appeal.

[ebbyeb]

Seems like that's the ultimate formula!

[Leanandgreen]

Well it kinda is ; girls who have all that but lack one thing like height of the right measurements sometimes get cut slack like Kate Moss (way too short) or Karlie klossen (too tall) and all of this Instagram models are nowhere as fashion thin as they should be. But of the personality and confidence is missing then there is nog future for that person as a model; nobody wants to look at a picture of someone who feels so uncomfortabel or insecure in a dress or something while She should look like a Powerhouse and that makes you want to be that Powerhouse als Lets get that dress !

[ebbyeb]

Yes totally!

[Blonde401]

Being able to pose and take interesting pictures. It has very little to do with beauty.

[ebbyeb]

Yeah I don't think beauty is attached anymore. Jump back 30 years and it definitely was.. It's interesting how things have changed 🤔

[Blonde401]

Beauty is also subjective. A lot of the industry is still to do with young people and showing youth.

[ebbyeb]

Yeah very true!

[aicarg]

Defined chiseled facial features, tall, the right BMI, proportionate body, photogenic.

[ebbyeb]

BMI as in body mass index? I think? 😅

[RealDarkeyes]

I dont really pay attention to what a model looks like, but i guess just skinny body, and an attractive face/body all around

[Tomsta]

You dont need a skinny body to be a model. You can be a plus size model. Or a hand model

[RealDarkeyes]

@Tomsta *i dont look at models or pay attention to what models look like*

[Ninene]

aesthetically pleasing features and the will to work

[COCOCHANEL]

a long neck and a lithe body

[RuthAnn1781]

I don't know, I guess you just have to look nice

[ebbyeb]

Do you think there's any more to that?

[RuthAnn1781]

Not really no. You just have to look good enough to the right person, they give you the job and then it doesn't matter if anyone else thinks that you're pretty because you already have a job

[ebbyeb]

Hmm fair point indeed!

[peachblossomluck]

The top models tend to be more androgynous.

[ebbyeb]

Yeah it's pretty interesting actually

[bubble_tea]

Having a photogenic or interesting face.

[WhereAmI]

y'all, thin and beautiful ski

[WhereAmI]

*Tall, thin and beautiful skin*

[ebbyeb]

😂😂 nice

[WhereAmI]

I only know because my sister was looking into doing it. Generally it's all about selling a product line and what works, not what people find most attractive.

[ebbyeb]

Yeah that's true in the clothing industry of modeling for sure

[SullyB]

Facial features and height, and maybe phisique.

[Whatthefluff]

Charisma

[timidmale]

I would like a model for me.

[ebbyeb]

What do you mean?

[timidmale]

I would like a model girlfriend.

[ebbyeb]

There's plenty out there.

[timidmale]

Do you think she will feel attracted to a shy guy like me or is she going to laugh in my face?

[ebbyeb]

I can't speak on the behalf of someone who literally might not even exist.

[timidmale]

Ohh that means she wouldn't even talk to me.

[ebbyeb]

I didn't say that at all lol.
If you're talking about some famous super model, there most likely won't even be a situation in which you can meet this person unless it was somehow arranged.
But modeling is a very wide spectrum. You don't have to look amazing to be a model. If there's a poster of a guy drinking a smoothie to promote that smoothie it's still considered modeling even if he's not wearing designer clothes and whatnot.
So I suppose it depends on what type of person you are and what type of model you're talking about.
Regardless, don't get any expectations- whether for your benefit or demise. Since you really just have no idea and can't really expect anything as of now.

[Abraham_ééé]

Shamelessness 💩