Modeling

How To Become A Fashion Model In New York City

fashion model

Deciding to become a fashion model can lead to many new doors and exciting opportunities. Now, aiming to do this in the largest, most prestigious market in the models industry can also be an exciting way to jump-start and possibly even catapult your career.

There are a few key points to consider before making the move to the Big Apple.  Let’s compare both advantages and disadvantages back to back:

Connections & Networking

Pros

A larger city brings more exposure. The models agencies & clientele that you would meet and work with does not compare to that of a smaller market. Professionals in the industry such as photographers, stylists, hair/makeup artists, set designers, producers, etc. are also stronger and more developed in their trade. This gives you access to a top of the line team that can ultimately benefit you when creating a portfolio of photos that will attract new potential clients. 

Cons

Coming from a small town can seem daunting and intimidating. The fashion industry in New York is fast-paced with so much going on. This makes it easy to get lost or shoved to the back and be easily forgotten. Clients also have many candidates to choose from so the competition between models is driven sky-high, making it much more difficult to stand out.

Bookings

Pros

Theoretically, a city with more opportunities raises your chances of working more. Larger markets like New York City also offer more diverse types of work such as – runway, print catalog, magazine editorials, TV commercials,  e-commerce, showroom presentations, and fit models. This gives you access to many different jobs, giving you consistent work that can generate an income.

Cons

Models should beware of anyone trying to take advantage of their desire to be a part of the industry. Given that competition is high, designers and brands know that many fashion models are willing to do the job so they can drop rates significantly, leaving you without money in your pocket. For example, a campaign for a top fashion company can pay as little as $150. This can become very stressful in a city as expensive as NY, considering that models may not work every day.

Creating A Plan

As with any opportunity, everything has an advantage and drawbacks. The most important thing is to create a plan! The reality is that models breaking into the business can expect to spend more than they make during the first months to the first year.

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By knowing this, you can prepare savings ahead of time and look for flexible work opportunities that allow you to still focus on your model career. Applying for gig jobs and part-time work is a smart decision. A strong recommendation is to look for jobs that are within the fashion industry. This gives you exposure as a promo model in NYC and gives you the ability to build your network of professionals that could lead to a model job. 

  1. Have someone take your photos. This should be done in natural light, with little to no makeup on a plain background. These will be seen by the bookers at agencies you send them to, so look your best and show them how you REALLY look. No filters, no Photoshop, etc. These should be side shots and back shots, all full-body. Include headshots with also side shots of your face. Common misconceptions are that you need a professional portfolio of photoshoots. This is not true. 
  2. Find agencies that you are interested in being represented in. Remember to do your research! 
  3. Once you have found an agency of interest, send them an email with your measurements (height, bust, waist, hips, shoe). The wonderful thing about today’s fashion industry is that it is becoming more diverse and accepting of size, race, and gender. 
  4. Wait and follow up. If the agencies are interested in finding more information or scheduling you for a meeting, they will contact you. It might also be helpful to call after 2-3 weeks to see if your application was received. 

If this is your dream, it is important to be persistent. This will help you when you apply to more than one agency. If there are no responses from a perspective, remember that many successful models were turned down repeatedly. Attaining a model contract is not an overnight task and as with other models, it often took one person to believe in them to open the door.  In the meantime, you can use the competitiveness of this industry to your advantage by learning to have tough skin and perseverance. These are great skills to develop early on that can be applied in all aspects when venturing to make your model dreams a reality!