Expert: Kitty Kavey - 5/29/2006

Question
Hi Kitty, I'm 5' 9.5" and have the good teeth  you listed as one of the modeling requirements; but, I am size 8-10 (117 pounds).  I am age 52, live close to Atlanta, and am reading up on commercial print modeling.  Even so, I'm curious, is a size 6, for sample clothing fit, a strong prerequisite for modeling clothing?  

I'm looking into commercial print modeling, so I don't need to fit size 6; nonetheless, still I wondered if a mature woman of size 8-10 (size 9 juniors) would be nixed by an agency as a clothing model for catalogues.  

Thanks for your answer in the commercial print section of ?'s...that's how I found you for this question.  Karen

Answer
They do have 10-20 divisions (also called plus-size) for fashion modeling.  Although there are mature fashion models listed with agencies who have a 'sophisticated' division, it is generally former experienced fashion models who have aged, rather than new faces who enter the sophisticated division.  Either the regular fashion or sophisticated fashion models should wear a size 4-6, as the sample sizes are 6, and the clothes need to hang on the body loosely.  

Of course, if you're in a smaller market, you may find that the rules are relaxed somewhat.  It certainly doesn't hurt to let the fashion agencies closest to you of your desire for catalog work.  They may want to keep you on file, or perhaps they could recommend an agency to you that would be happy to represent you.  It's always better to get the one yes after a thousand no's, than not to ask and then miss an opportunity.

In the meantime, commercial print modeling sometimes does cross over into the fashion arena, so there may be clothing/catalog opportunities for you there as well.  
Good luck to you,
~Kitty