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 

[Miss Nikki Sin{★}]

so I should basically give up.. I'm 5'4, a size 16, with metal in my face, and ink on my body. gee thanks for being soooo supportive of the gals just starting out..

[Vintage Suits by Mary]

Don't give up, Nikki! Just because one company wants a certain look doesn't mean EVERY company wants the same look! Look around at companies that YOU like, and see what kind of models they use There are plenty of companies that like the edgier look. Just remember to be positive, professional, and friendly, no matter what. Don't get discouraged. You have to have pretty thick skin to do well as a model.

Miss Nikki Sin{★} said:

so I should basically give up.. I'm 5'4, a size 16, with metal in my face, and ink on my body. gee thanks for being soooo supportive of the gals just starting out..

[Miss Nikki Sin{★}]

<3 thanks I will try very hard to toughen up, and be more positive.

[Vintage Suits by Mary]

The tough skin is very important! I have one model who is my muse, as well as one of my models, and this poor girl gets raked over the coals by jealous models, and other people. It's upsetting, because she is just the sweetest thing ever. I talk to a LOT of designers, promoters, and photographers, and they all have similar stories.

[Karen Garcia]

this was super helpful!!! im an aspiring model! THANKS A BUNCH!!!!

[Miss Nikki Sin{★}]

that's not fair. why hate on her because she "clicks" with a designer. it's not her fault. women need to learn to be more supportive of one another.

Vintage Suits by Mary said:

The tough skin is very important! I have one model who is my muse, as well as one of my models, and this poor girl gets raked over the coals by jealous models, and other people. It's upsetting, because she is just the sweetest thing ever. I talk to a LOT of designers, promoters, and photographers, and they all have similar stories.

[Dixie Belle]

For a lot of us girls who consider ourselves pinups or want to be involved in the pinup society, it isn't about wanting to be a runway model or what not. We just want to be pretty not because we have a certain look but because we are pretty. Every girl that loves something would love to able to get paid for doing it. With that being said, this has some amazing information on doing just that.

Height, ink, metal and having the look is important. Be professional!

[Meli Murder.]

I love how we are having an "adult' conversation about this. Its amazing for everyone to share their opinion and everyone to reply in a well thought out respectful way, even if you dont agree...I think everyone has brought amazing knowledge to this topic and in a way we are all right.

 

thanks again!

 

P.S.

If I offended anyone, I do apologize I was just trying to stress my pov as a pinup and a consumer. I think beauty is beauty and we all know it when we see it.

[Edson Carlos]

I couldn't have said it better myself Meli! We really do have a wonderful community of supportive people in here. I think if this were on facebook it would be a shitstorm of hating, insulting, drama, and breakups.

A special thanks to our Madams for keeping things on topic and in check.

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Meli Murder said:

I love how we are having an "adult' conversation about this. Its amazing for everyone to share their opinion and everyone to reply in a well thought out respectful way, even if you dont agree...I think everyone has brought amazing knowledge to this topic and in a way we are all right.

 

thanks again!

 

P.S.

If I offended anyone, I do apologize I was just trying to stress my pov as a pinup and a consumer. I think beauty is beauty and we all know it when we see it.

[Naughty Nymphadora]

great post Meli

 

I for one am not sure where I am in this world, very much a new comer to pinup but I love the look and my very supportive husband loves the look on me and would like to see me do some of the contests or maybe some modeling but I'm not sure if I really fit into what they are looking for, but it is fun!

 

i have my first real photo session for pin-up next week, I'm excited and nervous all at the same time!

 

nymph

 

Meli Murder said:

I love how we are having an "adult' conversation about this. Its amazing for everyone to share their opinion and everyone to reply in a well thought out respectful way, even if you dont agree...I think everyone has brought amazing knowledge to this topic and in a way we are all right.

 

thanks again!

 

P.S.

If I offended anyone, I do apologize I was just trying to stress my pov as a pinup and a consumer. I think beauty is beauty and we all know it when we see it.

[DottieMae]

Great info, thanks for sharing ;)