When most people think of the modeling industry, they automatically think of supermodels Gigi and Bella Hadid, Candice Swanepoel, or Cara Delevigne. However, there are many other types of models whose names you wouldn't know but who are profiting big time. They're working behind the scenes as fit or showroom models and as commercial models working with manufacturers, suppliers, pharmaceutical companies, airlines, automobile manufacturers, fitness companies, and much more. Even if you can't be the next supermodel, you'll probably fit into one of these categories for sure:
Fashion Model
Fashion models, or what the industry refers to as "editorial models" are the high fashion models that you see in fashion magazines such as Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, and Elle, and who work for top fashion designers Chanel, Prada, Marc Jacobs, Valentino, and others.
Female editorial models are generally 5' 9" to 6' 0" tall and are rather slim. A female editorial model's measurements are usually - bust 33", waist 23", and hips 33".
Modeling agencies will always look at the "complete package" that the model presents when determining whether or not they can be editorial models, so don't be discouraged if you don't meet these stats exactly.
Runway/Catwalk Models
Runway/catwalk models are a minimum of 5' 9" but 5' 10" - 5' 11" is even better. Runway models must have precise measurements, so they can fit the clothes that designers are going to be showing to their clients, which are usually pretty standard. Their measurements should be no greater than 34" - 23" - 34", although these days, the usage of overly skinny models has been frowned upon.
Designers hire models to fit the clothes they have made for their collections; they don't make the clothes to fit the model - well, not unless you're a supermodel.
Commercial Model
Commercial modeling is less lucrative than high fashion modeling, but both are well-paid. Commercial models can be any age, any size, and any height. Hooray! Commercial models can do everything that isn't generally associated with high fashion, such as product ads (housewares, food products, the travel industry, tech devices, and the list goes on).
Read Also: What Is a Commercial Model
Plus Size Model
The plus model market has become an essential part of the fashion and commercial model industry. Several of the top fashion agencies now have plus size divisions, and we've seen many plus supermodels over the past few years. Plus, models are generally determined by size rather than exact measurements, such as size 12 and up. In the real world a size 12 is not considered a plus size, but in the modeling industry, it can be.
Read Also: How to Become a Plus-Size Model With No Experience
Petite Model
Petite models are usually 5' 7" and under. While petite models don't generally do runway work, they are often booked for swimsuits, lingerie, and parts modeling. Since petite models usually have smaller shoe and glove sizes, they are also popular as foot and hand models.
Swimsuit/Lingerie Model
Swimsuit and lingerie models are curvier and more voluptuous than editorial models. Think Candice Swanepoel and Kate Upton.
There are many opportunities for swimsuit models other than just modeling bikinis. Swimsuit models can model lingerie, undergarments, sleepwear, and summer wear and can also be showroom and fit models.
Glamour Model
Glamour models are more curvy and voluptuous than editorial fashion models. Glamour models often work as swimsuits and lingerie models as well. Glamour modeling refers to the posing the model is doing in her photographs. Glamour modeling is usually more sexually suggestive or alluring than what a fashion model would do and is typically geared toward male audiences rather than females. Pinup models and girls who appear in magazines such as Playboy are considered glamour models.
Fitness Model
Fitness models are models who are athletic, fit, and toned. Many fitness models have started out as athletes or trainers and have added fitness modeling to their resumes. In addition to working for fitness companies, supplement manufacturers, and athletic wear companies, fitness models are often commercial models as well.
Fit Model
Not to be confused with fitness models, fit models are models who work behind the scenes in fashion houses and with garment manufacturers to make sure that sizing and fit are maintained in the clothing manufacturing process.
Garment manufacturers require a variety of shapes and sizes of fit models to fit their garments correctly before they are shipped to the consumer.
You may not have the look that a print model needs or the height of a runway model, but if you can consistently maintain your measurements, then a career in fit modeling may be for you.
Parts Model
Parts models specialize in modeling body parts such as hands, feet, legs, and eyes. Clients look for well-proportioned body parts and those who can fit sample shoe, glove or jewelry sizes.
A hand model can book jobs for jewelry, nail, and beauty-related products and anywhere else a client requires a perfect hand, whether it's in print or on film.
Read Also: Models for Clothing Brands
A foot model can book jobs with shoe companies, nail, and beauty products, and anywhere else a client requires perfect feet, whether it's in print or on film.
Promo Model
Promotional models often book jobs to promote products or services at trade shows, conventions, and live events.
Promotional models must be very outgoing, friendly, and have an excellent understanding of the client's product as they may be required to talk about the product or answer questions from potential buyers.
Mature Model
If you’re over 40 and think your dreams of being a model are behind you, think again! In fact, mature models are in high demand for all kinds of modeling work. Marketing experts understand campaigns need to feature models that reflect their target demographic, and that means models of all ages, sizes, and heights can find work.
People are living longer than ever before, which means work for models of all ages is more plentiful than ever!
Mature models are considered commercial models and can do everything a commercial model can do, but there's also plenty of work in high fashion!
