The Model Agency
Agency founders Carole White and Chris Owen
The seven-part series about the world of modelling through the eyes of one of the top model agencies in the world has ended. While we’re not that sad about it, we did learn a few things from those folks at Premier (the agency), so we thought we’d share our seven takeaways from the series.
1. Models are usually discovered around the age of 13 and looked after by an agency that helps them grow into beautiful swans, ready for runways and fashion shoots. We would like to say “helps them grow into supermodels” but, let’s face it, the Campbell, Crawford, and Turlington days are over.
2. Scouts go for younger girls because their bodies haven’t developed yet (sounds perverted, we know). At a young age, girls are able to remain thin naturally, eating whatever they like without having to worry about gaining weight. They naturally have no curves. As a girl matures, breasts and butts start to take shape, which is why the career span of a high-fashion model is often short.
3. It would be worth looking in a mirror before approaching an agency. Just because your mother, father or friend tells you that you could be a model, it doesn’t mean it’s true – and often isn’t. Models usually tower above regular folk, at around the 6-foot mark, and look like creatures from another planet. In other words, if you’re not an avatar (minus the blue skin) forget about high fashion.
We actually have to disagree with this point, though, having attended a few fashion shows. The models all appear tall, but they’re all sporting very high (Jimmy) shoes.
4. If you’re not uber tall and wafer-thin there’s still hope if you aspire to be a model. Modelling isn’t all about being on the cover of Vogue or landing that haute couture runway show during fashion week. There’s also commercial modelling. You can still make a lot of money (even more than high-fashion models), but you won’t necessarily be mingling with the likes of Gaultier and Versace. And generally, anyone with hips and a bust bigger than a B cup should explore this route. It’s actually how the agency makes most of its money.
5. When Naomi Campbell was on the books at Premier, the agency’s founder, Carole White, took her under her wing and treated her like a daughter. At one point Campbell even called White “mum”. The pair have since fallen out, however – something to do with owed royalties and a certain “blood diamonds” trial.
6. As demanding as Campbell is, and as hard as it is for black girls to make it in the industry, the fashion world is still waiting for the next Naomi.
Finally…
7. Men model too.