A Designer's Advice to Aspiring Models

[Nicole Katherine Designs]

This is completely unasked for, but I really want to share these tips since I get several emails on a daily basis from girls that want to become models.
1. If you'd like to model for a company you need to approach it with the same professional demeanor as you would any other job opportunity. Do not send a link to your facebook or myspace profile and say, "Here's my ______ profile. Go look at it, I'd like to model for you." Chances are the company won't look. I have learned that the way girls approach me for modeling gigs really reflects the kind of person they're going to be to work with. If they have an unprofessional approach, chances are they're going to be unprofessional to work with. Always send a resume of your modeling experience, some other jobs you've had don't hurt because it shows who you are and your work experience...it's not just the face we're after but the whole person. Don't forget measurements, headshots and full body shots. And if you do throw in your networking profile in addition to those things, keep certain photo albums private or keep certain photos off the page.
2. Read a posting in its entirety before applying. You don’t want to be the person that committed to a job on the other side of the country. It’s also frustrating for the designer who asks, “Ok you’re local then because it says you’re in New York” and the model to respond “Oh yeah I’m totally in your area.” Only for the model next day to say, “oooohhhh I thought you meant local in New York because I totally missed the LA part.” Sounds super retarded but I can’t tell you how many times this has happened to me.
3. Tattoos and piercings… I’m going to sound like an old lady for saying this (and I’m sure I’ll get hate mail for it), but please trust me on it because I’ve been doing this long enough to know (and know a lot of designers who agree). The amount of tattoos and piercings you have WILL limit how much and what kind of work you can get. Nicole Katherine Designs will use girls with moderate piercings and tattoos, but the direction we’re moving limits us to only using the artistically adorned to certain promo and advertisement shots, depending on the ad placement and who we’re trying to target in the advertisements. Moving forward we’re not going to use tattooed and pierced girls for our catalogs because we have to direct our catalogs to bridal shops and high end boutiques in addition to the rockabilly stores. We’ll still use tattooed beauties for fashion shows, but they also need to be over 5’6”
4. If you’re just starting out, work with the little guys. We can rarely pay, but we try to work out something that’s fair. Also, a beginning model needs to build up her portfolio and start-up companies need pretty girls that’ll rep their stuff. As long as you’ve modeled for a legitimate company and have learned something from it, its experience and it counts. For modeling it’s easiest to start small and work your way up 

[Tattooed Dolls Custom Jewelry{★}]

Thank you for posting. You have given great advice that I, personally, did not know!

[Lacy Lane]

This is a great discussion. I appreciate all the tips.

[Marlena Moore]

This was great to read, something I'm going to really apply.

Nicole Katherine Designs said:

So true... when I select girls there's a LOT that I'm taking into consideration. The truth is a lot of girls want to be pinups but not all of them have that look to their faces and/or they don't have the right personality match.

When I say they don't have that "look" I don't mean they're not pretty. I've turned down some drop dead gorgeous girls and it's just because they're too modern looking or couldn't be molded to having that certain mid-20th century mystique to their faces. Also, depending the reason for the casting call is going to determine the kinds of girls that are chosen.

When I say "not the right personality match" this is a big deal. Back to "depending on the job" thing, depending on what my company is getting ready for is going to have a huge impact on what my moods and stress levels are going to be like and who I will choose to model for me. If it's something super stressful that we're getting ready for, like a fashion show, I need girls that are easy to work with, need little direction, notice things when I don't and can fill in the gaps accordingly and don't take it personally if I'm not in the most pleasant of moods. My stress is not directed at them, just the situation (since I obviously really like them if I'm working with them). But I understand if it seems to be the other way around. If I'm looking for models for something less stressful like a catalog or ad shoot, then I'll be more open minded about who I choose as far as personalities go. However, there is never room for divas. I never have patience for arrogant, primadonnas. It's an ugly attitude to have, and believe me when I say the condition of a model's heart comes out in photos. And guess what, if another company or photographer has had a bad experience with a model, chances are, word has spread I'm not one to always listen to what other people say though, just because one company had a bad experience with a girl doesn't mean others have, and you never know because a model may have had something going on that affected her performance or behavior. For that reason, I'm not quick to judge, as I'm sure most companies aren't. But we do take it into consideration. This is another good thing for models to keep in mind.

Dottie's Delights said:

AGREED. This is a great advice. I would also like to add, especially after what Kristy mentioned about girls getting angry about not being chosen: please do not take it personally if you are not selected!! There are a lot of girls vying for a very small number of opportunities and usually we need a very specific look, so please understand this. I wish I could work with all the lovely girls that express interest, but it's simply impossible! Doesn't mean we don't love you anyway!

[Vier Mädchen]

 "The amount of tattoos and piercings you have WILL limit how much and what kind of work you can get. "

This is true.  My shop just spent a weeks casting models for a catalog, we  had to turn away lots of models  because of tattoos .

 

it'shas nothing to do with likeing tattoos or not  but If the tattoo doesn't work for the shot, then the model doesn't ether,

 

[TheRetroNatural]

As someone who doesn't know a lot about pinup modeling I appreciate the info you all have put in here! I think some may forget that this is real modeling...I'm surprised that people wouldn't treat it as such..giving a FB link instead of a portfolio...such a fail!

 

I'm not sure if I'll really take on modeling..it's intimidating! But if I ever do, I know I can read up a bit here first ;)

[Meli Murder.]

Why I think the advice is great I also think there are a few things I'd like to discuss. I understand the tattoos and piercings part but only to an extent. I don't understand why a model would be turned away because of something that simple. A good makeup artist can cover the tattoos and piercings can be removed. As someone with tattoos and percings, more times then not I always shop at Pinupgirlclothing.com YES they are a bit pricey, and YES I have found similar items for less by other companies/designers...but at the end of the day I appreciate women like Matsumi Max and micheline pitt who are tatted and very beautiful.

 

I understand every designer has an audience they try to 'cater' for but you can never forget the actual people who buy your clothes. I thought (or think) part of the pinup life is to challenge accepted beauty standards, and continue to set them for EVERY woman. The modern pinup is just that modern. She has and doesn't have tattoos, she may like metal on her body and her hair might be hot pink, or natural brown, red, or blonde. The idea the Modern pinup is inclusive, not exclusive..so I personally find it a bit odd that so desgners are openly exclusive...

 

If someone is beautiful, classy, and has poise..I'm sure the last thing you will notice is height. If you want to change to beauty, cater to everyone, not just to some...In my humble opinion I think pinupgirlclothing.com does an amazing job of that. and I think a lot can be learned from them.

[Honey B Hooligan {Madam}]

While I agree with you, you have to realize that pinupgirlclothing.com also does target marketing. Nearly every model that they shoot has tattoos and piercings. They market to others but a very large majority of their clientel are considered "alternative". Don't get me wrong, the clothing there is beautiful, well made, and super awesome! But if you dont target market, you dont make money.

Meli Murder said:

Why I think the advice is great I also think there are a few things I'd like to discuss. I understand the tattoos and piercings part but only to an extent. I don't understand why a model would be turned away because of something that simple. A good makeup artist can cover the tattoos and piercings can be removed. As someone with tattoos and percings, more times then not I always shop at Pinupgirlclothing.com YES they are a bit pricey, and YES I have found similar items for less by other companies/designers...but at the end of the day I appreciate women like Matsumi Max and micheline pitt who are tatted and very beautiful.

 

I understand every designer has an audience they try to 'cater' for but you can never forget the actual people who buy your clothes. I thought (or think) part of the pinup life is to challenge accepted beauty standards, and continue to set them for EVERY woman. The modern pinup is just that modern. She has and doesn't have tattoos, she may like metal on her body and her hair might be hot pink, or natural brown, red, or blonde. The idea the Modern pinup is inclusive, not exclusive..so I personally find it a bit odd that so desgners are openly exclusive...

 

If someone is beautiful, classy, and has poise..I'm sure the last thing you will notice is height. If you want to change to beauty, cater to everyone, not just to some...In my humble opinion I think pinupgirlclothing.com does an amazing job of that. and I think a lot can be learned from them.

[Meli Murder.]

I agree with what your saying.My point about this discussion is this: As a consumer there are two things as I look for in a company: Inclusion and Diversity. The more you have of both, the more likely I am to buy. It's 2011 and I like to see diversity. In my opinion, if your target that..you can't help but to make money.

[Honey B Hooligan {Madam}]

You make a valid point, and as a consumer I agree. But as a business owner I know better. I live in a place where SOME people are rude to me merely because I have ink and crazy hair. Do I like it? Of course not, but these people are also my customers, and I'll lose money if I shove my ideals down their throat. People are different, it's what makes us beautiful. :)

Meli Murder said:

I agree with what your saying.My point about this discussion is this: As a consumer there are two things as I look for in a company: Inclusion and Diversity. The more you have of both, the more likely I am to buy. It's 2011 and I like to see diversity. In my opinion, if your target that..you can't help but to make money.

[Meli Murder.]

I think we have to agree to disagree,,or keep making good counterpoints for all eternity...and I have no experience in business other then what a bank told me when they hired me, "We have an open policy, you can have crazy hair and tattoos, we dont mind..why? cause you are our customer too, and we have learned we get what we put out. We cater to the soccer mom and dad as much as we cater to the Alternative Girl...because our goal is get everyone."

 

If I ever decidef to own a business that would be my philosophy:Everyone.

Great convo. Thanks :)

 

Honey B Hooligan {Madam} said:

You make a valid point, and as a consumer I agree. But as a business owner I know better. I live in a place where SOME people are rude to me merely because I have ink and crazy hair. Do I like it? Of course not, but these people are also my customers, and I'll lose money if I shove my ideals down their throat. People are different, it's what makes us beautiful. :)

Meli Murder said:

I agree with what your saying.My point about this discussion is this: As a consumer there are two things as I look for in a company: Inclusion and Diversity. The more you have of both, the more likely I am to buy. It's 2011 and I like to see diversity. In my opinion, if your target that..you can't help but to make money.

[Honey B Hooligan {Madam}]

Banks are a bit different, but I love their policy. Most businesses can't afford to cater to everyone, it's unrealistic. Great conversation, thanks! :)

Meli Murder said:

I think we have to agree to disagree,,or keep making good counterpoints for all eternity...and I have no experience in business other then what a bank told me when they hired me, "We have an open policy, you can have crazy hair and tattoos, we dont mind..why? cause you are our customer too, and we have learned we get what we put out. We cater to the soccer mom and dad as much as we cater to the Alternative Girl...because our goal is get everyone."

 

If I ever decidef to own a business that would be my philosophy:Everyone.

Great convo. Thanks :)

 

Honey B Hooligan {Madam} said:

You make a valid point, and as a consumer I agree. But as a business owner I know better. I live in a place where SOME people are rude to me merely because I have ink and crazy hair. Do I like it? Of course not, but these people are also my customers, and I'll lose money if I shove my ideals down their throat. People are different, it's what makes us beautiful. :)

Meli Murder said:

I agree with what your saying.My point about this discussion is this: As a consumer there are two things as I look for in a company: Inclusion and Diversity. The more you have of both, the more likely I am to buy. It's 2011 and I like to see diversity. In my opinion, if your target that..you can't help but to make money.

[Tifa DeLeone]

I agree on so many things in this discussion.

For myself, a model without tattoos or piercings. I have lost some work due to that.

There are COUNTLESS tattoo magazines out there and so many photographers who focus on inked girls.

I cannot count how many times I’ve heard “Love your style, too bad you don’t have any tattoos”.

But, I also believe my style has gotten me lot’s of work as well.

 

There are also designers who doesn’t want to work with girls who had plastic surgery, and some who only use models who have.

I really like the diversity among designers and is glad to see all styles/bodies getting featured.