Fashion model
Wear clothing and accessories to promote them to fashion buyers, customers and the media in live fashion shows or in photos.
About the job
What it's like
Models wear clothing and accessories to promote them to fashion buyers, customers and the media.
You might model items in live fashion shows or in photographs or videos. This could be for catalogues, magazines, newspapers, TV, social media or other advertising campaigns.
You could specialise in different types of modelling, such as:
photographic, advertising and TV commercials
fashion and catwalk
in-house live modelling for designers and clothing wholesalers
promotional modelling demonstrating non-fashion items at product launches and trade fairs
influencer modelling, showing of products for brands to your social media followers
You’ll need to have the right ‘look’ for the kind of modelling you wish to do. It’s important that you take care of your appearance.
You’ll also need to be confident, patient and disciplined. You’d need to be able to cope with criticism and rejection. Long, irregular hours are common and you may spend a lot of time travelling.
Influencer modelling has become a bigger part of the fashion and modelling industry in recent years. Brands can use influencers' online platforms to promote their products to large audiences. It also offers a new way in to the industry. You can start from home by building a following with your own social media accounts.
In fashion show modelling you'd walk along a catwalk, turning to display clothes in front of an audience.
In photographic, advertising and commercial modelling you'd:
pose for photographers in a studio or on location
take directions from photographers
act in TV commercials, including saying lines
If you worked as an in-house live model, designers would fit garments on to you in the workshop to see how they look. You would display the finished clothes to fashion buyers and private customers. When you’re not modelling you might do basic reception and secretarial duties.
You'd work closely with stylists, hair and make-up artists, producers and directors.
You'd also spend much of your time going to castings for jobs and looking after your appearance.
Explore more information about this job
Here are some useful links to learn more about this career:
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Related industries
Many jobs can be done in lots of different industries. We've highlighted the ones we think are most important for this job.
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Creative
Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- reliable
- time management
- self esteem
- verbal communication
- listening
- networking
- cooperating
- resilience
- persevering
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
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Performance Arts
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Skills for Work: Creative Industries
To become a fashion model, physical appearance and fitness is more important than educational qualifications.
To work as a model you need a good appearance and the right ‘look’ for the branch of modelling you wish to go into.
Fashion modelling has become more inclusive. There are now more opportunities for models of different shapes and sizes.
Modelling agencies might want a certain look depending on what they are modelling.
