Planning well ahead is crucial if you are thinking of pursuing a plus-size modeling career. A good plan of action and tidy preparations can open doors faster than you expect. It will also give you an edge over your competitors.
To aspire to become a career full-bodied model, it’s good to
be aware of the fact that the competition is fierce and only those who first
work towards it have a greater chance of getting signed by the top modeling
agencies.
There are so many beautiful, sexy, as well as proudly fat
women out there who can qualify to become models, and you can too. Aspiring to
be one? This is your opportunity to become a part of the glamorous world of
modeling.
Start by gradually building a resume and creating your ‘attention-grabbing portfolio‘. It is a good thing to have some skills or some experience, no matter how little. Moreover, whatever you may have achieved should form a part of your resume. They will increase your chances of getting to the top fashion cities for modeling placements.
Plan of Action. Start Small and Build Up from There
The good news first. The demand for plus-size models is
rising steadily. Today, you will notice that more full-bodied women do a
catwalk strut on the runway. And now, fashion designers rightly identify with
the silhouette of the average-sized woman and design more fabulous clothes
for them.
A good plan of action is to start off small. Be a “big fish
in a small pond”. You don’t have to be based in New York, Rome, or Paris. You
don’t have to start off by traveling far and wide to the unknown, to start
your modeling career. You can start off in a smaller upcoming city and begin
to build your portfolio and resume from there. Subsequently, you can make plans
to venture out to the big cities.
Fashion shows and events, including most television shows
and feature movies, take place in smaller towns and cities. Create a presence
there and build a reputation locally. Seemingly ‘small’ jobs will let you learn
how the modeling industry works. You will also have the opportunity to get
familiar with:
- Auditioning
and acting.
- Working
with agents in the fashion industry.
- Negotiations.
- Filming
skills.
- Some
aspects of photography.
- Getting
professional head and body photoshoots.
- Preparing
resumes and portfolios.
As a build-up to your plus-size modeling career, you can
work with a fashion and style print media house, play minor roles for
television, or do small commercials. Jobs like these are good for experience
and are added skills that will add credibility to your resume.
The good thing is that while you are learning and building
your résumé, you’ll be earning an income as well.
Learn from Career Plus-Size Models
You can learn from the industry’s professionals. Research
and read about them. Their early beginnings, how they chased their dreams, and
see how they started off in their career. Follow them on social media sites and
on YouTube if they have a channel. Additionally, observe their progress and see
how they do whatever it is they do. Notice what they did or are doing to
achieve their aspirations.
Research and study are the keywords. Also, practice whatever
you are learning and enroll in offline or online classes if the need arises.
When you finally get the much-awaited audition for that dream modeling role,
you will have acquired some skills and a great understanding of the fashion
industry.
A Successful Plus-Size Modelling Career Demands You Be
Proud of Your Size
If you are large-bodied and want to be a model, don’t worry
about losing weight. You should be more concerned about having a well-toned
body. Being plus-size without being flabby is best. If you prefer to lose
weight before pursuing a modeling career, there is nothing wrong with that.
However, your competition will be bigger and wider.
So, being fat and curvaceous is fine, as long as you are
firm, and most importantly, proud of your size. This way, your chances of being
a successful model are higher. Being successful in the field demands you to be
bold, proud, and confident. Reasons are that you may be required to model
anything from plus-size lingerie and swimwear to casual and occasion
wear.
Tips:
- Be
discerning.
- Avoid
getting ripped off by scammers who claim they can fix you up with
plus-size model agents.
- If
anyone requests for deposits or advance fees, don’t pay. You can almost be
certain that they may be scammers.
- Legitimate
modeling agencies or agents should demand payment only when models are
offered placements and get paid for the job.
- A
general average of between 15 to 20% agents commission is usually charged
on plus-size modeling contracts. This is after you get paid for the job.
- Agency
fees of 10% or thereabouts are charged for television or movie contracts.
Some modeling agencies can legally negotiate deals for you but before you get to that stage, do some homework. First, find out if there are licensed plus-size model agents in your locality. If there are, start off with them. It’s always best to use a legitimately licensed agency if you plan to pursue a modeling career. If you need to find out which ones are licensed and which ones are not, you can check out your local talent agents lists.