If you’ve spent hours dreaming about walking the runway during fashion week or posing for the cover of Vogue Magazine, you’re not alone. Thousands of people across the United States dream of photoshoots, haute couture, and editorial spreads. If you truly have the drive to become a model, you have to prepare for what the industry might hold.
Between preparing for the lifestyle and understanding how to juggle different work commitments, it can be overwhelming. It would help if you had an idea of where your career might take you. If you’re ready to live as a top model, here’s what you need to know.
Know how to say no.
Contrary to what shows like America’s Next Top Model would have you believe, you can set personal boundaries and limits in the modeling world. If you’re not a smoker, don’t feel pressured to smoke a tobacco cigarette. If you don’t have a craving for THC, you can turn it down. If you don’t want a regular cigarette, you can always ask for an alternative, whether it’s for a photoshoot or an editorial video. Industry professionals are willing to make accommodations, whether it’s offering you CBD cigarettes or CBD flowers instead of a regular cigarette. What are CBD cigarettes, you ask? For starters, they’re a great way to keep U.S. fashion models from becoming nicotine addicts. Your modeling agency wouldn’t like that much, would it?
Learn how to make money.
While many fashion models would prefer to spend their days modeling couture clothing and walking elite runways, sometimes you also need to pay the bills. Commercial work is a popular way to cash in and keep the lights on. Whether you’re modeling ruanas for a catalog or you’re trying on ponchos and shawls for a new e-commerce clothing brand, recent years have shown that commercial models are as high-demand as runway models.
If it’s your first time working as a fashion model in the U.S., you’ll want to meet with your modeling agency to discuss your options. Ask if they have any work for commercial models. While the modeling industry likes to prioritize runway models, commercial work is a great alternative. On top of that, it can also make for a relaxing session in front of the camera. Though it may take time to scout out your first gigs in the modeling industry, it’s only a limited time before you start raking in good contracts. Your agent may also be able to negotiate your fees for you when you’re more established.
Be patient.
Becoming a model won’t happen overnight, especially if it’s your first time trying. In fact, you may face a lot of rejection. It’ll take some time to find the right modeling agency and agent. You’ll have to work on your poses in the mirror and find an effective way to market yourself, whether this is through social media or otherwise. If you want, you can even consider an option like modeling school. It can help you network and find the right connections for your modeling career. Some of your teachers may even be able to connect you to reputable agencies.
If you really want to be a professional model, you need to be persistent. Even if you have a fantastic product to offer, it might take time until you find the right contacts. While this can be frustrating, it takes patience before you see positive results.
Practice, patience, and persistence are the key ingredients to a successful modeling career. Whether you envision yourself walking in New York Fashion Week or modeling the beautiful garments from high-end ateliers, there’s no telling where the modeling industry might take you.
