Fashion Model Definition 

Types of Models

Fashion models are used mainly to promote products (primarily clothing and accessories but almost anything else as well). There are two types of fashion models: high fashion and commercial. High fashion modeling is an art form of fashion. The photographer photographs the model in artistic themes that relate to the clothing promoted. The model uses their face and body to express different emotions required. High fashion is typical for work on campaigns, collections and magazine editorials for high fashion designers. These models are featured in high fashion magazines such as Vogue, W and ELLE. Clothing designers traditionally show their new collections in an annual fashion show, for buyers, the fashion industry, and the general public. Fashion models walk the runway, and pose to display clothing. High fashion models are generally 5 ft 9 in to 6 ft tall and are a very thin size 0-4 (105-107 lb for a 5 ft 9 in model). They generally have 32-35" busts, 22
25" waists and 33-36" hips. High fashion models have strong, unique and distinctive features.

Commercial modeling is generally respected less than high fashion modeling. There are different forms of commercial modeling: catalogue, cosmetics, commercial print, and swimsuit. Catalogue models vary from height and weight, compared to high fashion models. Unlike high fashion models, commercial models include plus-size models. The size of the model depends on the clothing. i.e. Plus sized models model for plus sized clothing. These models appear in catalogues. Cosmetics models model for makeup companies such as Revlon and Maybelline. Unlike catalogue models, the majority of cosmetics models have high fashion modeling body requirements. Cosmetics models work for television commercials, magazine advertisements, newspaper advertisements, and billboards. Commercial print models promote clothing/products on billboards, buses, magazines and newspapers. Swimsuit models promote swimsuit clothing in magazine ads, calenders, and magazines.

"Runway modeling," also known as "catwalk modeling," is displaying fashion, and is generally performed by "fashion models."

Supermodels are highly paid, top fashion models. These models have done every type of fashion modeling with great success. These female/male celebrity models have appeared on top fashion magazine covers, in catalogues, walked for top fashion shows, and are muses to photographers and designers. Supermodels are paid over tens of thousands of dollars every day, even for a simple photo shoot (photography session).

The first model to pave the way for what would become the supermodel was Lisa Fonssagrives. The relationship between her image on over 200 Vogue covers and her name recognition led to the future importance of Vogue in shaping future supermodels. Fonssagrives at the height of her career could be both sophisticated and yet a cook, with which every American woman could identify. Her image appeared on cover of every fashion magazine during the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s from Town & Country, Life and Vogue to the original Vanity Fair.

Notable supermodels include Beverly Peele, Gisele Bündchen, Christie Brinkley, Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Janice Dickinson, Heidi Klum, Elle Macpherson, Kate Moss, Claudia Schiffer, Cheryl Tiegs and Twiggy.

Qualifications of a Fashion model

The Association of Model Agents (AMA) says that female models should be around 34-24-34 inches (86-61-86 cms) and at least five feet eight inches (1.72m) tall.

History of fashion models

According to Charles Castle, the authour of "Model Girl", the first fashion model was Parisian shopgirl, Maria Vernet Worth. She supposedly became the first professional mannequin in 1852, to help her dress salesman husband.

Other types of models

• Fitness modeling centers on displaying an athletic and healthy physique. Fitness models resemble bodybuilders, but with less emphasis on muscle size.

• Hip hop models

• Bikini Models are similar to fitness models with emphasis on a fit physique and the beauty of the female curves.

• Bikini models aren't the same as fashion models because they are not modeling the clothes, but their body. They are similar to glamour models.