Fashion is a very big thing in today’s world. Even though looking fashionable has always been a concern for everyone since several decades, right now, fashion is at its epitome. Newer products, both impressive and cringy, are exploding into the market, newer fashion trends are emerging, and people are developing their taste more and more when it comes to fashion. Companies are exploring more modern ideas to introduce more fashionable products to help you look the coolest in the room. Or the street.
Fashion is nothing without the prestigious fashion models. Since fashion is increasing in significance day by day, modelling is also becoming one of the most interesting and important career paths to choose. Modelling is not just about looking good and walking the runway. You need to show your prowess over walking the ramp perfectly, confidence, ability to look fashionable, and to pull off whatever attire is given to you. Modelling is a job that requires a lot of skill, time, patience, and sacrifice. When you see successful supermodels, you see the glamor and success, but a lot goes behind this fame.
In this blog, I will tell you in detail about the various types of modelling in fashion and everything that forms these various types. Let’s go!
Types of Fashion Modelling
When you think of modelling, you think of fashion supermodels like Demi Rose Mawby, Gigi Hadid, Kate Moss, Tyra Banks, Naomi Campbell, Gisele Bundchen, and Heidi Klum. Though they have aced their careers and are very successful, there are several other types of modelling which are equally important. These models work behind the scenes as showroom models or for fitting purposes, and as commercial models who work with suppliers, manufacturers, airlines, pharmaceutical companies, fitness companies, automobile manufacturers, and many more.
Listed below are the three main types of modelling that you will find in the exclusive modelling industry: –
1) Fashion (Editorial) Modelling
Probably the most explicit and popular form of modelling, fashion modelling is also often referred to as ‘editorial modelling’. Referred to as editorial models by the fashion industry, these models are the very high fashion models, who are often seen appearing in various fashion magazines such as Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue, Elle, etc. They are also highly in demand by various top-notch designers like Gucci, Giorgio Armani, Marc Jacobs, Prada, Valentino, Versace, etc. Oh, and if it’s not understandable yet, they’re quite highly-paid. Jealous much?
Fashion modelling is probably the most exclusive as well as the most difficult type of modelling for a model to get into, notwithstanding the fact that attaining success in this is even harder. As a whole, a model for fashion modelling MUST be young, thin, and tall. In addition to that, there are the presets of size requirements for this type of modelling, that aspiring fashion models NEED to follow anyhow. Female editorial models are usually required to be 5’9” to 6’0” tall and pretty slim (want to start dieting?). The measurements for fashion modelling are generally set as – bust 33”, hips 33”, and waist 23”. Phew!
The main focus of fashion modelling lies on photoshoots, also known as print modelling for advertisement and photography. Models who are don’t enjoy direct contact with people are more introverted are best suited for fashion modelling. Even though the above-mentioned stats are the numbers this modelling swears by, modelling agency often look for the complete package, someone who can perfectly blend in with the environment of fashion modelling.
2) Runway (Catwalk) Modelling
Runway models are the type of models that you usually see walking the ramp on various fashion shows and events. Wearing the sharp heels and highly-fashionable outfits, they represent the various fashion designers and the new designs that they introduce. Runway models are also referred to as “live models”.
Runway modelling is the type of modelling that keeps its focus strictly on the fashion shows for advertisement. Runway models are required to have a height of minimum 5’9”, and 5’10” to 5’11” is considered even better. Runway models are required to have the accurate measurements so that they are able to fit into the designer clothes which they will be showcasing to the world on the runway. The measurements preferred for runway modelling are 34”-23”-34”.
Runway modelling is perfect for individuals who are tall and slender with a great stage presence, which is highly required for walking the coveted runway. This is a type of modelling that mainly focuses on one’s ability to sport an attire and to wear it with flair as he or she is strutting down that ramp. It is highly beneficial for this type of modelling, if you are confident with interactions and walking the ramp in front of people and cameras. Runway modelling is considered quite difficult because everything here is authentic and the standards are very high. There is no window for any kind of computer generated enhancements.
3) Commercial Modelling
I think a lot of you aspiring models will actually love this. Commercial modelling is the type of modelling that doesn’t have the preset restrictions and boundaries that the other two types of modelling adhere to. Here, a model can do almost anything that is not generally associated with the high-fashion aspect, for example product ads for food products, housewares, travel industry, technology products, and the list goes on.
Commercial modelling is the type of modelling that keep its main focus concentrated on advertisements and films. Thus, the name “commercial” modelling. It is very common for mainstream pop stars and celebrities to gradually branch off into commercial modelling because this is a form of modelling that is quite open minded in terms of the people they accept. According to the preset requirements, high fashion modelling only accepts the models that fulfill their requirements with the perfect body size and features. On the other hand, commercial modelling doesn’t believe in all that, because they solely focus on one’s camera presence and personality. If you have the ability to sell a product to the viewers or to look good in order to sell an item and make it look appealing, you are good enough to be hired. This is the reason why celebrities are accepted into the commercial modelling business, because of their prowess over their influence on their audience.
Commercial modelling is best-suited for models who love being bold and possess a standalone charm that is mesmerizing on camera. This modelling is also good for people who have had a previous experience in acting because a lot of times, commercial models also have to recite various scripts.