Modeling Questions Answered - Do I really need to be 6ft and 100lbs to model?

The fast answer to that is a NO!

Most work in modeling is commercial, not runway fashion. There is a stereotype that everyone associates with models, tall, flat chested, anorexic thin.  In the last few years we have seen a rise in that model image due to popular TV shows like Americas Next Top Model and others that offer contestants that fit that image a modeling contract at the end.

However, that type of High fashion model is only a very small percent of the industry and caters to few clients at certain times like “fashion weeks” and such. Most pro models do commercial work which has far less requirements in physical shape.

There are many more models that work daily that are 5′6″ than there are 6′. We only hear about the few Fashion superstars on TV, but go to your mailbox and grab one of the dozen catalogs there and you will see people modeling everything from kids clothes to cell phones.

Everyone appearing in any ad is a model. Maybe not a famous one, but still a model… and 1000’s of new ads are put out daily if not more. Those advertisers need to find models for the product, which is not Prada, and they will search high and low to find the perfect person.

Look at all the cosmetics ads, again 1000’s, hair products, electronics, etc. Many products such as nail polish may only use certain body parts and most manufacturers of consumer goods do not care if you are 5′0 or 5′11″ because they are not using your entire body. What they care about is that you have that “look” the campaign needs and that has nothing to do with high fashion.

A great example is the old “where’s the beef” campaign that ran 4ever using an elderly woman.

So there is no height, weight or age restriction, all are welcome in modeling, just not high fashion.

So never fool yourself. If you are not at least 5′9″+ look at other forms of modeling aside from high fashion, there is more work to be found there anyway.

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