Fashion Tips : How to Dress like a Fashion Model

By Ian Tham

Clothes have a profound effect on us psychologically. Choosing the wrong color makes you look sick and ghastly. Worse, it spoils your day as the color of your clothes can affect your mood. First of all, you need to consider your skin tone, eye and hair color. It is advisable to try out clothes in different colour and get a close friend or family member to see if a particular color suits you.

If possible, try to get as many colors in your wardrobe that suit you. Both white and black are versatile colors. A white top can match a bottom of any color. Similarly, a black bottom can go with any color for your top. Different colors connote and express different emotions to suit each new day.

Wearing white lightens and brightens your mood and symbolises purity and cleanliness. Black gives you elegance and an air of mystery not to mention sex appeal. Red makes you stand out in the crowd and works well especially if you want to draw attention. It symbolises passion, energy and excitement. Yellow connotes optimism, fun and joy. Blue is soothing and calming as well as inspiring. Lastly green symbolise freshness, harmony and love.It is always better to over dress for an occasion . For example , if the invitation card says smart casual, you can always overdress with your jacket. If everyone wears one, you won't feel awkward or embarrassed especially if it is a sales presentation and you stand to lose points with your client. If no one wears jackets you can always take it off and blend in with the crowd.

No one has a perfect figure all the time. What you need to do is to accentuate your strength and downplay bad points. Wear larger prints in areas where you want people to focus and smaller prints on parts which you want to draw attention away from. Skirt length should be knee level if your thighs are big. Jacket hems should not fall where your hips are the widest. It should be a little higher up. Wear something which gives you a lower or wider neckline. It makes your neck look longer and your face thinner.

The overall impression is a slimmer you. Follow these rules. Dark colors tend to make you look slimmer while light and bright colors tend to make you look plumber. If possible, go for a monochromatic look which makes you look slimmer. Clothes with vertical stripes make you look slimmer too. Try not to expose your arms with sleeveless tops. Don't buy something simply because it is on sale and in the bargain bins.

There's a reason for it simply because the sizes available are usually at the both ends of the scales or they could be odd sizes. It is important to wear clothes that fit. Otherwise you feel uncomfortable when you sit down and breathe. Clothes that are either too large or tight will make you look larger than you are. Another important point to note is don't buy smaller clothes thinking you will slim down in the near future. The size you buy should be the one that fits you now.

How to be Prepared for Your Fashion Model Shoot

By Bob Pardue

The fashion model session - What to pack in your model case

OK, you're off to a model photo shoot. But, did you remember to pack your bag? Did you put everything you need in it? I hope this article will be helpful to you and start you on the right foot in making sure your model bag is complete.

What do you bring?

What you bring to your model photo session will depend upon whether this is your first shoot for a portfolio or a paying job. Either way, this section will help you to be prepared for whatever reason you're doing the model session.

First things first - Know what the client wants

If you are shooting for an agent or client, he will tell you what to bring but you still need to carry basics in case of changes in hair, makeup, etc. All the tips listed here are meant to be a guide and a checklist of sorts so you can always add to the list when you feel it's necessary.

Ready? Let's get started to create your model "kit"

Below I'm going to list suggestions for your photo shoot mainly so you don't forget anything the day of the shoot. In fact, I'd like to see your model case prepared before the day of the session so there's no rush. You may want to copy and print the section below so that you'll have a guide handy each time you go for a photo shoot.

You're now standing lifeless in front of your closet - Wardrobe Essentials

Here are the essentials for your wardrobe. As stated above, some of the clothing listed here will be provided if this is a model shoot for a client.

- Casual - blue jeans, sports & knit tops, button up tops, shorts, cutoff blue jeans, etc.
- Business Suit - for a different look
- Sports (exercise, uniforms, shorts, etc.) - If you plan to do some sports modeling
- Lingerie - If you plan to enter the lingerie market
- Swim wear - needs to be a bikini that really flatters you
- Any props like hats, neckties, men's shirts, jackets, etc.
- G-string & bra in flesh tone color - This is to eliminate lines that show under clothing
- Hose/nylons in an assortment of colors
- Socks in different colors including black and white
- Bring several different bras including at least one push-up and one in flesh tone color
- A robe to wear between changes during the photo session
- Bring a scarf to wear when changing to help keep makeup off client's and your clothing
- You may also want to pack an iron or steamer for those wrinkles that are bound to show up from the trip.

Accessories - You've got to have something to compliment the clothes, right?

Along with each outfit, try to bring accessories which will accent or match the outfit. Keep accessories simple.

- Assortment of necklaces
- Earrings
- Bracelets
- Choker (these are popular at the time of this writing)
- Wristwatch - You normally wouldn't wear a watch unless you are doing a photo where you will be looking at the time.

Shoes, Shoes, Shoes

As with accessories, shoes should match or accent the outfit. But, you can also think outside the box on the subject of footwear. For example; High heels have a totally different look with jeans or swim wear than with an evening dress.

- Dress shoes - Bring several different pairs
- High heels - Also an assortment
- Jogging shoes - white
- Boots or high heel boots
- Sandals

Don't forget about the hair

Below are some items you'll need for your hair (or hair removal)

- An assortment of combs and hairbrushes
- A curling iron
- Hair rollers
- Straightener
- A couple of headbands
- Shaving cream and a couple of sharp razors
- Anything else you use for hair care

When coming to the model shoot, I would suggest leaving the hair fairly natural with very little (if any) hairspray so that you, or the MUA, can work with it after you arrive.

Makeup and facial

Even if your shoot involves a make-up artist, you still may want to pack the following ...

- Your complete makeup kit along with a mirror
- A moisturizer
- Cottonballs and swabs
- Lip balm
- Vaseline
- A good skin cleanser
- Several different shades of lip color (be sure to bring some solid colors)

Nails, finger that is.

A quick tip about nails. Remember that in photos, your eye will move to vivid colors first, especially red. So, take this into account as to whether you want people viewing your hands or your face.

- Here is a checklist for nail products to take to your photo shoot.
- Your complete manicure kit
- Nail polish with neutral color
- Remover kit for nail polish

A nice manicure will really enhance your model photos, especially images where your hand is near your face in close-ups so pay particular attention to your nails.

This should pretty much cover you for most photo shoots but as stated above, listen to the photographer or client and be sure to bring wardrobe he or she wants.

Now, you're ready so off your model photo session!!!

A Career in Modeling - Fashion

By Dr. Mary E. Waters

Do you dream about a career in modeling? Don’t give up! Your dream can come true, and you too can become a professional fashion model. The lessons learned as a professional model are invaluable. Why is it, you may ask? “Being a model is not just something you do on the runway, but it is a personality that you carry throughout your life.”

No matter what age you enter into this career, you will be able to walk away learning something new that can help you for the rest of your life. If you are a young unmarried person looking for a mate, you will have a good idea of how the right person should treat you. If you are a married person, you will learn how to better take care of yourself and your mate. Someone once said, “You cannot make someone happy unless you are happy yourself.” People need to know that happiness starts from within and extends outward. If you are fulfilled in all areas of your life, you will be happy.

The charm and poise section of the modeling training will give you the confidence you need to make life complete. It will also help you to overcome low self-esteem, if you are struggling with this problem. You will be able to see yourself as a special person. More important, you will begin to feel good about yourself.

A career in modeling takes hard work, dedication and commitment to succeed in the business. The categories you have to choose from are in runway, print and catalog, commercial, petite or plus size. Let’s say, they did not choose you as one of the high fashion models for an assignment in Europe or for the cover of a top magazine, it does not mean that you failed. If this happens, you should move on to the next assignment in life because you are still successful in your own unique way. To build your career, you should start off small then move up to bigger and better things. Through a modeling career, you will learn many lessons that can help you in life.

In the world of high fashion the pay is high. It is usual for a single modeling campaign to pay a million dollars or more. There is a huge amount of money at stake in high fashion modeling and if someone has to get paid, then why not YOU.

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Dr. Mary E. Waters is an author, speaker, business consultant. She is the author of “Easy Business for Women with Little or No Money.” She strives on helping people to start their own business with little or no money. For many years, she has been helping people make their dreams of becoming a successful business owner come true!

The Use of the Fashion Model's Zed Card

By Jason Ramirez

A Zed Card (Comp Card, Zed Card, or Model Card) is the number one marketing tool for a model. They serve as a model's portfolio, business card and interview. A comp card typically contains a collection of 2 or more pictures and the models basic stats - height, eye color, etc. - printed on 2 sides of an 8.5" x 5.5" piece of card stock (12 pt stock.) Comp cards have been around for many years as the essential marketing tool for a model and they will retain this standing because they are an inexpensive way to effectively and professionally showcase a model’s ability. Composite cards are used on three major levels - they are used at first by models, then by agents and lastly by the agent’s clients.

Level 1 - Models use composite cards to promote themselves to modeling agents. When a model attends an open call they will typically meet with the agent, have their portfolio reviewed and briefly be interviewed. Open calls are mostly busy, so not a lot of time can be dedicated to each person trying out. When the interview is over, the model leaves their composite card behind - never their portfolio. When the open call is over the agents will gather to discuss the turn out. This is where the composite card comes in to play. When the agents are discussing who they liked and didn't, they can refer to the composite cards. This card is the only reference that the agents have to your portfolio and ability. A good card is going to leave a much better impression of professionalism, experience, ability and expertise than a snap shot or nothing at all.

Level 2 - After a model has been contracted with an agency, it becomes the agents responsibility to market the model (that doesn't mean the model should stop promoting themselves.) You will notice that agencies usually displayed their comp cards in racks on their walls. This is done for the same purpose that an art gallery displays art work. The intention of displaying the composite cards is to give any visiting client a visual catalog of the talent that are available, and in turn making the modeling agents task of finding materials and promoting their models easier. Although this aesthetic pleasing display is this an effective method to boost bookings, it is not the primary marketing method. Agents primarily send composite cards via mail to photographers, producers, art directors, magazine editors, other modeling agents, and many other potential clients.

Level 3 - This stage is for the ones who pay the bills - commonly referred to as the "clients." Once the comps have been sent to the clients, it is entirely in their hands to decide who they want to use. Yes your agent should put some good words in for you, but ultimately it is the clients decision. From this point the client may choose you directly, or they may want to meet you. But either way they are going to pursue you further only because they have seen your look - and this is almost always first seen on your composite card. Clients usually retain an index of all of the cards that they have received so they can refer to a visual guide when selecting models. Some clients may have anywhere from 100 - 1000 models indexed in their company. This is why you need a good, professional comp card that makes a great first impression.

The ultimate success of a comp card is going to come down to the quality of the photography that appears on it. The quality of the photography stems from the quality and talent of the model along with the professionalism and creativity of the photographer and his or her team. The better your photography is, the better your zed card will be. On the front of your card you will want an eye-catching shot that sets the stage for the type of model you are. For markets like Minneapolis, San Francisco, and Kansas City a smiling shot works great since these are commercial markets. However, markets like New York, Los Angeles and Paris will be best approached with a high fashion photo on the front.

Most importantly good production is key. Good production will make your photos look better, and bad production will bring the quality way down. Bad production makes you look as unprofessional as bad photography.