A model (from Middle French modèle//aew), is a person who is employed to promote, display, or advertise commercial products (notably fashion clothing) or to serve as a visual object for people who are creating works of art. He commonly works in promotional production settings, including still photography sessions, video recording studios and venues featuring live fashion shows on runways. Other popular modeling environments include specialty stores, retail stores, commercial showrooms and custom salons.
Modeling ("modeling" in American English) is considered to be different from other types of public performance, such as acting, dancing or being a mime artist. The boundary between modeling and performing is, however, not well defined, although such activities as appearing in a movie or a play are almost never labeled as modeling.
The modeling profession was first established in 1853 by Charles Frederick Worth, the "father of haute couture, when he asked his wife, Marie Vernet Worth, to model the clothes he designed. The term "house model" was coined to describe the type of work. Eventually, this became a common practice for Parisian fashion houses. There were no model measurement requirements and most designers would use women of varying sizes to demonstrate variety in their designs.
HOW TO BECOME A FASHION MODEL???
I can give you some pointers on how to get started...
a. FINDING AN AGENCY
Most models are recruited by modeling scouts who roam around the country in a tireless search for fresh faces. Models are often discovered in shopping malls, schoolyards, clubs or other obvious places where young people hang out. If you fit the requirements, it's very likely that you will be noticed. You can also send pictures of yourself to an agency. You're better off sending a few simple photographs than trying to create an expensive portfolio. The simpler the photographs are, the better it is. An agency wants to see a natural face, not someone that's playing dress up and trying to strike supermodel poses. Another way to get signed is to go to agencies’ open castings. Call the agencies’ reception desks to find out when those are.
b. STARTING YOUR CAREER
You will most likely have to move there after you've signed with an agency. They will find you an apartment and help you get settled with your new life. But the beginning of a modeling career is a very difficult time: "You need to have a strong character. In the beginning many girls feels insecure and weak. They're far away from home and maybe they don't get any jobs at first." The agency will try to support you through difficult times: "We let them know that it's OK to cry in front of us and try to give them security and trust, but we can't take the place of a family. An agency can also not be there to protect you 24 hours a day. We all know the stories of young models that have been drugged and violated by people they met in clubs, or ripped off by scam artists who promised them the moon. Ambitious models stand a much better chance to be successful. Although it is of course exciting to be on your own in a big city and glamorous to hang in the VIP room at all the hippest night spots, you have to be disciplined and keep going to castings and show up to meetings on time. "The girls that never make it are the ones that don't take modeling as a real job.
c. PRESENTING YOURSELF
Presenting yourself for clients is an important part of the job. Many girls make the mistake of trying to look elegant and sophisticated, but they don't have the fashion knowledge to pull that off. The client wants to see the natural beauty of the model. We try to teach them not to wear makeup - except maybe a little blush - and just have clean hair and nice nails. She also recommends dressing simply - jeans and a t-shirt will do and wear nice shoes with medium high heels. It is of course also extremely important to have a pleasant and professional attitude. However, don't to try too hard to be charming. Clients are generally more impressed by someone who has a take-it-or-leave-it attitude than someone who seems desperate to get the job.
d. WORKING THE CAMERA
A large part of being photogenic is to love to be in front of a camera. To be a successful model you have to be a bit of an exhibitionist and enjoy having your picture taken. It is also important to remember that you need to be very relaxed about nudity. Some models really work with you on the picture, they come to the shoot prepared, and they look up references beforehand and have suggestions and ideas. It's more fun to work with someone who doesn't look at the Polaroid’s to check if she looks good, but does it to see the whole picture and try to make the story work. The girls who know how to perform well in front of the camera are also the ones that are most likely to make a successful crossover into acting. She once confided to us that she always tries to "be as real as I possibly can. Perhaps that is the secret.