Tips For Aspiring Models
Do I have to be a size zero to be a model?
The whole size-zero debate drives me nuts; it's been going around for years. But I can absolutely, categorically tell you that anything remotely close to a size zero just will not work. Model sizes are acceptable as a size eight, when it's a new face from the ages of probably 14-18. From then on, it's a size ten - always has been, always will be. Size zero has nothing to do with the modelling industry at all, and I can tell you now: a girl who's that small would not have a career.
Do I have to be a certain height to be a model?
Generally, you have to be a certain height to be a model. I mean, if you're under 5' 8 1/2", forget it. The only point of being a model is that you can go in, and you go out, and hopefully you've bought a few houses in between, you've seen the world, you've met some interesting people, then get back to reality. If you become a star, great, but generally speaking, you are forsaking your education, you are forsaking close relationships with friends and family in becoming a model. The payoff should be earning a lot of money. Because, what other career can a fourteen or fifteen year old girl go into where she can make a couple of hundred grand a year? No other career. Therefore, the only real reason to do it is to earn money, because you can see all the lovely covers of Vogue until the cows come home, but you're not going to take that to the grave with you, and you're not going to leave that behind for your siblings and your children.
Do models need to have an agent?
A model needs an agent because they do not have the time to support the back-up that they need. They need somebody to negotiate their fees for them, because they will then get more by getting somebody else to do it. People question the motivation of not having an agent, because it's effectively turning around to an industry that is very well established saying, "You're all crap."
How do models get spotted?
To get spotted you can go into the closed shows, because all of the agencies do have stands there. If you don't live in London, it's not a bad thing to do. It's a cattle market and it could be a bit embarrassing, but all the top London agencies have stands there. You can write off to the Association of Model Agents, and they will give you a list of reputable agencies to be with because there is no point in being with a bad agency because it is about getting work. Modelling is a career and a job. Or, you send off snapshots instead of getting spotted. You can do it now on the internet, download them, and send them to communications divisions of all the agencies in London and see if anyone wants to take you on. If you're not going to be taken on by a top agent, generally, think about something else to do.
Is there a model training school?
There are new modelling schools as such and the ones that are around are probably a bit of a con. If you ever have to part with money, it's usually an indication that it's something disreputable. Most London agencies have a new faces division so that they can train the girls and teach them a bit about how to move in the test shots and how to walk on a catwalk. There is a structure in place without having to go to an official school and spend money on it.
Whats the hardest thing about being a model?
I would imagine that one of the hardest things about being a model is having to mix with so many different people. I've always worked in offices and I know what my pay cheque is going to be each month; I know who I have to be nice to and who I don't and I can expect a certain amount. I think a very daunting thing for a youngster or for any model is to work with a different crew every single day where they don't always speak English or they might not even like you. Life isn't glorious and you don't get along with everybody that you come across. I do feel sorry for models when it comes to that because youngsters don't have those social graces and when you're being judged purely on your physical appearance, it's a very hard lesson and it's hard to deal with - being able to sort of grow that skin, to detach yourself and realise that it's about a job and it's not personal. I think it's quite hard.
