Modeling 101 - Answering Reader Questions

Kierstynn Pettit Wrote: hello, about two months ago i signed an open contract with a modelling agency. I have since entered a modelling competition and the winner goes to Barcelona and can have the opportunity to sign with other agencies, i was just wondering if I am allow e d to be in this competition if the outcome can be signing with another agency! is this allowed? Hey, Kierstynn! If the contract you have with your current modeling agency is an open one (I'm guessing it is a "non-exclusive" agreement?), then there shouldn't be any issues with signing with other agencies. However, in order for the non-exclusive contract arrangement to work, the other agencies you sign with will also have to offer a non-exclusive contract. Of course if you win the competition, you'll have to notify your current agent and discuss with them what your options would be and next steps. I would suggest reading the fine print in the modeling competition rules to find out wh...

AlyssaN Wrote: Hi Dania. My name is Alyssa and I just turned 24. I was signed with Elite models for high fashion modeling when I was younger, but I became sick and was unable to follow through even though I had people in New York interested in me. My question is, knowing I have the right look, am I still too old to get work? Hi there, Alyssa! Being 24 in the NYC market is past the age maximum for a majority of high fashion agencies. I don't know that you'd be readily considered by those same agencies for high fashion and runway BUT you may be considered by those same agencies for their lifestyle and commercial/print divisions. Although print modeling is typically known to be for "shorter" models, in markets like New York many agencies require their print models to be the same height as their runway models. So that is common. I would suggest contacting Elite and letting them know you were on their roster when you were younger and see if that can get your foot...

ksbirish Wrote: I read your description of mother agencies, and it seems the way to go for me, at least for now. I was thinking this before I saw your blog. My problem is that I cannot seem to find any in my area. There don't seem to be "magic" keywords to find them on places such as Google.  Do you know how I might find mother agencies in Oregon, for example, around the Portland area? Do you know of any? I understand you might not be able to recommend any but just their name, or something about them for searching purposes, would be a great start. Thank you for your time, kelly Hey, ksbirish! Many modeling agencies don't say outright that they are mother agencies on their websites. Some common clues that usually mean they are include keywords/phrases like, "placement," "we place our models with top agencies nationally and internationally," "develop models locally and globally," etc. You can usually find this information in the ...

Unicorn Model Wrote: Hii!! I'm 11 and I live in Kansas. When I read your page my mom said that she is not driving me to Ohio. What should I do??? P.S. I am already with a agency Hi, Unicorn Model! The fact that you're already with an agency is great, that definitely puts you ahead of the game. Ohio is quite a distance from where you live so I don't think that being a model for Justice will be an immediate possibility for you since your mom isn't willing to take you all the way there. However, I have a feeling that if you actually got booked for a job with Justice and it was well paid, maybe that would change her mind. The only thing I can think of to suggest is asking your agent if they've ever worked with Justice or submitted models to their castings. If they have, ask them what the process is and what you would have to do. Then go from there and see if you'd have a shot and if your mom would end up being supportive and on board if there was a real ...

A Wrote: Hi, i am a 15 year old girl. I am 5'11 and my measurments are 32-24.5-35 and i was wondering if i had a shot i nmodeling. I am a little bit insecure becuse my fullest part of my thighs are 20 inches. I am skinny is just that my thigs are a little bigger than my upper body. -A Hey, A! Given your height and measurements, I think you'd be great for modeling. Your hips are the max and your waist is just under the max, too (25"), so you'd still be ideal for an agency to represent you for fashion and runway. As far as your thighs, that topic has always been hotly debated in the industry. Ultimately, it boils down to an agency's preference and that of the designers/clients you'd be working with. The average model that is 5'9" and taller has a thigh measurement range of 16"-19". Is that absolute and mandatory? NO. The UK market is the strictest (so I've heard) when it comes to the thighs and they prefer their runway models...

Aly Wrote: Hi Dania :)  I'm Aly. and im 15 years old im skinny and my height is around 5,4 or 5,5. I really want to be a model its been my passion since i was child. And I want start modelling but I one ptoblem. My teeth aren't very straight and I need to put braces in ither to make them straight, but it will take at least 2 to 3 years. but in that time i will already be 18 and can't do modelling especially in VS which I would love to. But then my teeth is not very nice. What should I do? please diana I'll really appreciate if you answer. =) Hi there, Aly! Having nice teeth is pretty important, especially in modeling, so get those braces on now and ensure that you'll have a picture perfect smile by the time they come off. I know it'll be hard but even though you'll be 18 by the time they come off, you'll still be young enough to be considered by modeling agencies. You have to be 18 to even be considered for VS so you'd be fine in that respec...

K.A. Wrote: Hi I'm K.A. from mongolia. First of all, thank you so much for this blog. It's really helpful. :)  Okay, so.. I'm moving to Cyprus next year. And I really want to be a model, especially a runway model. And I'm just seeking about it through the Internet. I'm 15 now so when I move to Cyprus I'll turned to be 16. My measurements are 75cm, 57cm, 77cm (29; 22; 30 inch) and my height is around 5,5 (I guess) and weight is 45kg (I guess). Are my measurements compatible or am I too skinny to start modelling? (by the way I never get fat by eating) If I'm too skinny, should I do fitness to gain more weight and to fill my body? And will I be able to grow tall anymore and do a runway? And is there any top modelling agency in Cyprus or isn't there? And how do I start modelling industry?  I'm sorry for too many questions, and I'm really looking forward to hear reply from you. Thanks a lot :) Hi, K.A.! You're very welcome, I'm happy...