Fashion model
Fashion models promote clothing and accessory brands at fashion events and in magazines and digital media.
- Typical hours45 to 47 a week
What you'll do
You'll often have to go to casting sessions with potential clients or agencies. You'll also spend a lot of time looking after your appearance.
You could specialise in different types of modelling, like:
- high fashion and catwalk
- photographic editorials for magazines
- advertising for magazines, billboards, websites, and social media
- TV commercials
- promotional modelling like music videos, personal appearances, leaflets and brochures
- in-house live modelling for designers and clothing wholesalers
In fashion show modelling you'll walk along a catwalk, turning to display clothes in front of an audience. You'll work closely with stylists, hair and make-up artists, producers and directors.
In photographic, advertising and promotional modelling you'll:
- take directions from photographers
- pose for photographers in a studio or on location
- act or deliver lines in TV commercials
Working environment
You could work at a TV studio, at a film studio, in a photographic studio or at a store.
Your working environment may be physically and emotionally demanding and you'll travel often.
Skills and knowledge you'll need
You'll need:
- the ability to work well with others
- active listening skills
- to be flexible and open to change
- physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- the ability to organise your time and workload
- concentration skills
- physical fitness and endurance
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
How to become a fashion model
You can get into this job through:
- volunteering
- applying directly
Volunteering
You could develop your skills as a model by helping out with charity fashion shows.
Direct application
You'll usually start your career by going to a model agency in person or sending photographs to them.
Each agency looks for different things in their models so you should check their website to see if you'd be a good fit.
Restrictions and requirements
You'll need a license from your local council , if you start modelling before the legal school leaving age.
Career path and progression
With experience, you could become a booker for a model agency or set up your own agency. You could also move into other areas of the fashion industry like styling or fashion journalism.
You might also find opportunities in areas like TV presenting or acting.
Career tips
There's a lot of competition for modelling jobs. You don't need to do a modelling course or have an expensive portfolio of pictures. Also, model agencies are not allowed to charge an up-front fee for you to join them.
Reputable model agencies and Equity have advice on what to expect when starting out.
Many brands use influencers as models so you could consider setting up a social media presence as an influencer, and building your followers as a route into the industry.
Guides for this industry
Related roles
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0