Fashion Model Responsibilities

When we thing about fashion models, we picture beauty, glamor, style, and luxurious lifestyle. However, the responsibilities of a fashion model are quite varied from general perception. Fashion models have to perform a variety of tasks like displaying the latest fashion collection on fashion shows, editorial columns of fashion magazine, and ad campaigns. They may be asked to display the collection in various ways like ramp walk, photo shoots, television, editorials, catalogs, and personal showcase.

Key Responsibilities

Fashion models have to promote the latest clothing line, accessories, and footwear with elegance and poise, so that it attracts the target audience. The target consumers include the departmental store, media personnels like fashion editors and publicists, fashion professionals, celebrities, socialists, and clients from the corporate domain. Fashion models have to present themselves in accordance to the target audiences they model for, hence they are required to change their looks constantly, maintain health and beauty regimes, and take stress management sessions for looking fresh constantly.

The job of a fashion model is quite demanding and it requires one to handle the stress effectively, so that the visual impact of a product display is not hampered. This job profile is very demanding and no time limit is defined for this position. Fashion models are hired on project basis, and they may require to work continuously for long hours for completing the project within the specified deadline.

The key responsibilities of a fashion model comprise:

• Enhancing their look by applying make up to the face, styling the hair as per the look, and dressing up in an appropriate manner for enhancing the overall look of the product display; considering the factors like color balance, contrast, camera techniques, and facial features while carrying the look
• Dressing up accordingly for posing for the sample garment, completed attire, and fashion accessories, understanding the vision of the photographer / fashion director, and posing for the shoot / filming as directed by them, etc.
• Promoting the products and / or services in editorial prints, television ads, films, and videos accordingly as per the media requirement, and displaying the product differently by posing, turning, walking, etc., in fashion shows, promotional events, and live ad campaigns in private shows and retail establishments for displaying the product features properly
• Following strict routine of diet, sleep, exercise, and other beauty treatments for maintaining their looks and appearance, enhancing their body language for poising attractively, and maintaining their health and beauty regimes properly for maintaining the stress free looks
• Associating with fashion photographers, fashion coordinators, event producers, art directors, fashion stylists, make-up and hair style artists, other fashion models, and professional clients for carrying on the desired looks, and finishing the modeling project on scheduled time; obtaining information from agents regarding the payment due, date and time of photo shoot, other provisions like traveling schedule, etc., and the time duration / working hours of the assignment
• Providing detailed product information regarding product model, designing details, price of the garment, designers involved in designing the garment, and store / location where it can be purchased to prospective customers, handing out gifts / samples of the product, demonstrate its features, and conversing with prospective buyers while dressed in costume for product promotion
• Assembling and maintaining portfolios, recording and maintaining the job completion records along with its payment and duration details, traveling to various destinations for obtaining job assignments and contacting various job agencies for obtaining the information about future modeling projects

Required Qualities and Skills

Fashion models do not require any special educational qualification. All they need is the beauty and elegance to present themselves in a poised manner. Having said that, a relevant degree in fashion modeling can brighten your prospects in fashion industry. Associate / bachelor's degree programs are available in fashion designing, accessories designing, fashion merchandising, and photography which can help you start the career.

Along with this, one should also have certain qualities and skills like good walking posture, great looks and body, positive attitude and a sense of style that reflects in the body language and a fair knowledge about styling, make up, and camera performance. Also, one needs to keep their portfolios updated and maintain the records of accomplished projects along with payment and duration details to grab the future opportunities in modeling. One also needs to travel to various destinations and contact various job agencies for obtaining the modeling project.

Salary Compensation

The salary of a fashion model is dependent on the type of modeling project s/he handles and relevant modeling experience in the fashion industry. Also, the popularity of the model within the industry is considered before offering the project. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary of a fashion model falls around $25,000, though the payment is done on per project basis, based on the number of projects undertaken by the model.

The job of the fashion model is project specific, s/he needs to get constant assignments for sustaining in the industry. Also, their career is short lived, as they need to look young and beautiful for endorsing the products effectively. So if you think you can handle the responsibilities of a fashion model, go on, make your career, and be the next fashion diva.