Expert: Kitty Kavey - 6/1/2009

Question
QUESTION: My teenage daughter was shopping when she was approached by a woman who gave her a card with the name and # of a model/talent agency. With all the girls who submit photos and are trying to get a break, I would assume agencies wouldn't need to actively recruit more! Is this sort of "being discovered at the mall" thing a common practice? Should I be wary?

ANSWER: It is a common practice for fashion modeling agencies to scout or be affiliated with independent scouts who look for models, worldwide.  Since the criteria for what makes the next "supermodel" is quite strict, only a very few young people have the look necessary to fit it.

Since the career of an average fashion model can be quite short - many fashion agencies will not consider a new face much over age 22 - there can be a very short time to get enough work and experience behind you to stay on with the agency, and continue working.  

Fashion agents are always looking for the next great face, the one that can rise above the rest and become an icon, a household name.  Whatever the exact number is of working fashion models is, one probably only knows the names and faces of a very tiny percentage.

That being said, I would still caution you to be wary of any stranger until you have checked out the agency and confirmed that it is a legitimate, reputable company.

Scams and schemes abound in the modeling industry.  Much of the time it involves trying to get the prospective model to pay them (classes/training, up front registration fees, photos, and printing services are some examples), but that also makes them pretty easy to avoid as well.

Technically speaking, if your daughter has "the look" she could potentially be signed by any fashion agency.  In that case, she is just as much interviewing them, as the agency is with her.  She can choose, and what makes this agency right for her?  She (and you) have to feel comfortable with them.

Hopefully, it will turn out that the woman represents an upstanding agency who will be dedicated to finding your daughter work, and it will turn out to be something that your daughter very much enjoys.

Good luck to you both,
~Kitty  



 





---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I would not consider my daughter to look like a model(although she is pretty). She has pale skin, a few freckles, long dark brown(almost black) hair, and blue eyes. She wears a sz 2/3, but is only 5'6". The lady she spoke with asked her height, and told my daughter that her height shouldn't be a problem. That didn't sound correct to me. I checked the agency out outline, and it seems legit.(no classes or fees are required...just an interview). The agency is a 2 hr drive from my home, which is why I'd like to know as much as possible before I make the long round trip. Do girls that are "short" get work?

Answer
There are Kate Moss and Laetitia Casta, but they are very rare exceptions to the fashion model height rules.  There are other types of modeling where height is not such an issue: commercial print, glamour/adult, promotional modeling - but for the most part agencies who represent that type of modeling book work locally.

So if you live a long distance from your agent's location, it is likely that many of the work opportunities will involve the trek each time.  

Fashion models, at least in the beginning of their career, also have to consider that where ever they are scouted or submit their information from, if they aren't already living in the location of their agent (New York City, for example# they will need to relocate.

Other types of models can and do commute, but also many end up moving to the larger markets, if they don't start off in one.  So not only would I question the height #if the scout was representing a fashion modeling agency) but also what type of work/location of possible future work, and how much time you will need to dedicate to your daughter pursuing this career.

Good luck to you both,
~Kitty