Why Models Should Study the Fashion Industry
In all careers, people are hired for their expertise in their chosen fields. As a model, part of your expertise is the knowledge you have of the Fashion Industry.
TO COMMUNICATE WITH CLIENTS AND PEERS
By researching your clients and their products, you will be able to grasp the creative, or marketing, concepts of your bookings. You will find it easier to follow direction and communicate with your client, and the creative team, on a professional level.
If you are booked for an informal event in a department store or boutique, you will be required to converse with the customers. You may have to encourage the shoppers to browse your client’s collection or answer questions about the clothes you are modeling. Of course, you are not expected to know everything about the designs; but you do need to appear to have a basic interest in fashion.
To be familiar with all of the designers, stylists, artists, and photographers is very useful during ‘shop talk’ with your agent. For example; you could be told that your next test shoot is in the style of an established photographer, or that you should dress in the style of a designer brand for a casting.
IMPROVE YOUR CHANCE OF SUCCESS
Your passion and understanding for this multi-billion dollar industry will be appreciated by everyone that you work with. Flipping through fashion magazines and blogs can teach you the difference between editorial, campaign and lifestyle work, while giving you inspiration for a multitude of poses and expressions. Additionally, it will keep you up to date with current trends in clothing, cosmetics, and style.
Not only that, you also need to know which artists and clients could potentially move you up the rankings just by working with them. Do not take this as an excuse to refuse jobs because they are not shot by Mario Testino, or for the cover of Vogue, but as a way to recognize when a major opportunity arises. It is all too common for models to miss their chance to raise their careers to the next level. This is because they don’t understand what career-changing job is being offered to them.
Modeling is highly competitive, and both clients and agents want to work with well-informed models; so study the business. It will surely improve your chance of success, and after all, knowledge is power!
RESOURCES: Aside from the countless glossy magazines and blogs, here are some great websites to help you study the fashion industry.
