Once considered an “entry level” job for young women, modeling has moved beyond the realm of the traditional. Today, any woman with a smartphone and a decent camera can become a fashion influencer, using the likes of TikTok and Instagram to reach her audience.
While many see this as a passing trend, spurred on by the ease of creating and sharing content online, the rise of TikTok influencers has proven that there is a genuine demand for skilled fashion models. According to LinkedIn, job opportunities within the digital marketing and social media management sectors are predicted to grow by 29% and 25% respectively by 2027.
If you’re interested in pursuing a career in fashion, you’ve probably already considered the many perks that come with being a fashion model. From hanging out with famous faces to being featured in glossy magazines, there are plenty of perks to being a digital fashion star.
The Perks Of Being A Fashion Model
If you’re interested in becoming a fashion model, you’ll likely already know that the profession is considered one of the most glamorous and exciting. Thanks to the internet and social media, aspiring fashion models no longer need to rely on traditional media to find work. Thanks to influencers like Kylie Jenner, who famously modeled for a Levi’s denim billboard campaign, the ability to gain online fame through social media has become a common route to success.
Fashion models can work for the top designers in the world and enjoy prestigious contracts. According to the LinkedIn report, the average fashion model earns £50,000 per year, plus benefits and free transport to shoots. In comparison, the report indicates that the average annual salary for a television reporter is about £29,000, with perks including gym membership and healthcare costs covered.
The Demands Of The Job
While contract work is relatively abundant, freelancing as a fashion model is a common route to gaining expertise and building a portfolio. If you’re looking for flexibility, freelancing is a good option as you can take on clients and projects as and when you’re available. Thanks to platforms like Upwork and Fiverr, which allow for “micro-jobs” and short-contract jobs respectively, getting started on your own may be quicker and less stressful than you think.
Another important consideration is whether you want to be a “face” or a “body” model. While the former is generally considered the more conventional choice, a body model can sometimes have more limited opportunities per day, and may be paid less than a face model. However, the advantage of being a body model is that you don’t necessarily have to be restricted to fashion shoots and can potentially land more varied and lucrative work, including film and commercial shoots.
The Changing Nature Of Fashion
The fashion industry has changed significantly over the past decade. Thanks to platforms like TikTok and Instagram, the role of the fashion model has evolved, with a recent study from London Business School finding that people are more likely to follow fashion influencers’ recommendations on what to buy than they are to turn to magazines or celebrity fashion stylists for style advice.
Fashion models are often considered the “silent” or “eye-catching” part of the industry, with a report from the UK Council for Trade and Industry suggesting that they can bring in revenue of up to £15.9 million per year through advertising alone. In comparison, the fashion industry as a whole is worth about £145 billion, with traditional print magazines worth about £16.9 million and online-only businesses such as Uber, Instagram and TikTok worth a combined £115 million.
What Will You Need To Succeed?
If you’re looking to succeed in the fashion industry, be sure to have a look at the essential skillsets needed to secure a successful career in the field. To begin with, you’ll need to have a good grasp of both English and French, with some knowledge of Spanish and Italian also proving to be valuable. If you’re fortunate enough to have a natural inclination to style, be sure to add that to your CV as well.
As for the tech equipment needed to get started, you’ll simply need a smartphone and a stable internet connection, with virtual assistants like Alexa and Siri also proving to be extremely useful. When it comes to securing work, be sure to build up a strong portfolio, featuring images of you in different outfits or poses, as well as short video clips demonstrating your skillset.
The Rise Of Online Modeling
The industry of fashion and models has definitely shifted to the digital domain, with the average time that models spend doing prep work for a shoot decreasing by about 45 minutes, as the report from London Business School indicates. With the majority of fashion content being created and consumed online, it makes sense that the industry would begin to see the benefits of working digitally.
As the UK Council for Trade and Industry highlights, the “face time” that models spend doing prep work is largely due to the decline in the use of agencies and the rise of the freelance economy. Thanks to platforms like Upwork and Fiverr, which allow for “micro-jobs” and short-contract jobs respectively, getting started on your own may be quicker and less stressful than you think.