We find out how models really live (spoiler: the salary isn’t as high as we thought)

Tons of beautiful clothes and luxury cosmetics, trips to different countries and endless parties… This is how, according to the opinion of many people, who are used to the women and young people we see in the pages of fashion magazines. But all this is actually far from the truth, and in this industry there is a lot less glamor than we expected.

Today the awesome.club will tell you how models live. These facts about your daily activity are not known to most of us.

This is not completely a myth, as it is indeed possible. Karlie Kloss, for example, was discovered by a headhunter in a shopping mall, and Coco Rocha was invited to join the modeling business during Irish dance competitions. But, of course, this is not the case for everyone. Alessandra Ambrosio went to a modeling school and deliberately reached her goal of becoming a famous supermodel. Behati Prinsloo started her career by winning a beauty contest.

Headhunters tasked with looking for new models are often sent to castings or other public events to find future stars. Sometimes they also discover glowing profiles on social media.

There are fewer opportunities to find a talent scout on the street and even the probability of receiving an online invite from one is not very high. Therefore, the best decision is not to wait for a situation by chance and start working. However, a good Instagram profile will help you.

Of course, it is not necessary to have such a portfolio to interest an agent. To begin with, as a rule, clear and simple photos are enough, they may not even be professional. Thanks to them, agencies will be able to assess the potential of girls or a young role model.

Doutzen Kroes, for example, did not have a book. She sent her amateur shots to an agency, but she didn’t intend to become a famous model. The girl simply wanted to earn some money for her expenses, but she was quickly offered a great contract.

Models, especially at the beginning of their career, have to pay for many things without which their work simply could not be performed. This includes services from photographers for your portfolio or classes at modeling schools.

Of course, there are situations where all costs, from the beginning, are paid by the agency, closing with the girl a very good contract. This happens frequently in fashion capitals such as Paris, Milan, New York and, of course, these are cases of large companies.

This is correct when thinking about supermodels. But those who haven’t managed to make an incredible career can’t boast of astronomical rates, let alone a duplex penthouse as part of their properties.

Women who participate in photos for advertisements or catalogs can earn a little more. If we talk about parades, the rates are lower. Even at the famous Fashion Weeks, the girls who do their work on the catwalks don’t earn much money. However, this is a good method to show off and make new contracts.

Sometimes stylists pay models with clothes. And this is not a very successful transaction, as it may seem. Coco Rocha said in an interview that early in her career, she was paid with a skirt with a broken zipper. It did little to help her get to the end of the month.

Interestingly, the modeling business is an industry where men earn less than women, up to 75% less. A figure that draws attention.

This business is so specific that there is always competition. For example, the relationship between Tyra Banks and Naomi Campbell could hardly be called warm. Early in her career, Tyra had enough trouble with the “black panther” because she thought the young supermodel would take her place. This turned into an endless showdown.

But it must be understood that, as anywhere in the modeling business, there is room for friendship. We have the example of Doutzen Kroes, whose best friend is Adriana Lima, and Jessica White with Irina Shayk.

In fact, the main thing is the type of model. If, for example, a red-haired model is needed for a photo in a commercial, then a blonde or a black woman just won’t get the job. The same happens in the relationship between employees and the agency model. When choosing the right candidate, your ability to walk the runway perfectly and stand firmly in front of the camera is taken into account.

Of course, romantic relationships between models and, for example, photographers or agency directors are possible, but this is already an individual matter.

Brazilian model Ana Carolina Reston died in 2006 of anorexia. She weighed just 36 pounds. Eating disorders, in the consciousness of many people, are directly linked to the fashion industry. And anyway, in this business you try to get away from the manifestations of very skinny models. So, on the pages of Vogue, now you can only see healthy girls, as the magazine doesn’t encourage those who are too thin. In Spain, Italy and France, girls with anorexia are not hired to show.

In general, models try to consume healthy foods. This is important not only because the correct diet helps to maintain a good figure, but also because healthy eating is a guarantee of well-being. Because of this lifestyle, it is impossible to live without it. Of course, sometimes you can indulge in some goodies.

Victoria’s Secret models maintain tighter restrictions. For example, Behati Prinsloo, before taking part in a show, completely refuses to eat carbohydrates, sugars and salts, and Adriana Lima, in 2011, told reporters that, before stepping on the catwalks, she feeds on protein cocktails. But after giving birth, she decided to balance her diet.

Plus size models can’t eat what they want. When the agency hires them for a job, the contract usually mentions that they have to maintain their current form. This, again, means healthy eating and regular workouts. For example, Ashley Graham exercises with her trainer three times a week. She likes green smoothies and never eats meat, but she can sometimes treat herself to a pizza, which she eats in a special way: dipping the edges in Nutella.

There are a lot of people who think that models pose for the cameras and look really pretty (or, well, not so much, given the strange trends in fashion today) and then attend parties with celebrities and, most exhausting in their work, are flights between the fashion capitals of the world.

In fact, not everything is so simple. Before runways or photo shoots, models have to stay for many hours in one place while stylists and makeup artists do their work. To get the job, they have to visit castings, and the waiting time can be lengthy. So, it’s not always fun work and, on the contrary, it’s often very boring.

If we talk about complexities, then there will be many. First of all, you have to get in shape, and for that you need to train and eat properly on a regular basis. Models don’t visit parties and clubs every night, simply because looking fresh and rested is so important for work.

Secondly, the selections can be carried out in different areas of the city, located at a long distance from each other and it is necessary to arrive on time. Third, sometimes the photo shoot
is done under extreme conditions. For example: in a fur coat when there is a temperature of 30°C or in a bathing suit in the snow.

Another very important aspect is emotional stability. The fast pace of life is linked to constant stress, and this is also part of the daily reality of a model who unfortunately adjusts her life to it.

What facts did you find especially surprising? Would you like to work in this industry? Have something to add? Share the information you know in the comments of this post.