- the ability to work well with others
- active listening skills
- to be flexible and open to change
- excellent verbal communication skills
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- the ability to organise your time and workload
- concentration skills
- physical fitness and endurance
- to enjoy working with other people
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
You’ll often have to go to casting sessions with potential clients or agencies. You’ll also spend a lot of time looking after your appearance.
You could specialise in different types of modelling, like:
- high fashion and catwalk
- photographic editorials for magazines
- advertising for magazines, billboards, websites, and social media
- TV commercials
- promotional modelling like music videos, personal appearances, leaflets and brochures
- in-house live modelling for designers and clothing wholesalers
In fashion show modelling you'll walk along a catwalk, turning to display clothes in front of an audience. You'll work closely with stylists, hair and make-up artists, producers and directors.
In photographic, advertising and promotional modelling you'll:
- take directions from photographers
- pose for photographers in a studio or on location
- act or deliver lines in TV commercials
You could work at a TV studio, at a film studio, in a photographic studio or at a store.
Your working environment may be physically and emotionally demanding and you'll travel often.
With experience, you could become a booker for a model agency or set up your own agency. You could also move into other areas of the fashion industry like styling or fashion journalism.
You might also find opportunities in areas like TV presenting or acting.
You can find out more about becoming a fashion model from the British Fashion Model Agents Association and Discover Creative Careers.
