Right: 14-year-old Polish girl Monika Jagaciak's planned role in Australian Fashion Week has caused AFW organisers, after public pressure, to declare that no model under 16 could participate in the event.
.. Found a word you're not familiar with? Double-click that word to bring up a dictionary reference to it. The dictionary page includes an audio sound file with which to actually hear the word said. |
Background information
(Most of the information below has been obtained from the Wikipedia entry
'model'. The full text of this entry can be found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Model_(person)
A model, sometimes called a mannequin, is a person who is employed to display, advertise and promote commercial products (notably fashion clothing) or to serve as a subject of works of art.
Modelling is distinguished from other types of public performance, such as an acting, dancing or mime artist, although the boundary is not well defined. Appearing in a movie or a play is not considered modelling.
Types of modelling include fashion, glamour, fitness, bikini, fine art, and body-part models. Models are featured in a variety of media formats including books, magazines, movies, newspapers, and TV. Models sometimes are featured in films (Looker, Tattoo), reality television shows (America's Next Top Model, The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency), or music videos ("Freedom! '90", "Wicked Game", "Daughters").
Runway modelling
Runway models showcase clothes from fashion designers, fashion media, and consumers. They are also called "live models" and are self employed. Runway models work in different locations, constantly travelling between those cities where fashion is well known - London, Milan, New York City, and Paris.
The demands for runway models include certain height and weight requirements. During runway shows, models have to constantly change clothes and makeup. The models turn and stand to demonstrate the garment's key features. Models also go to interviews (called "go and sees") and must keep a portfolio of their work. They go to modelling interviews to find more work. The more experience a model has, the more likely she is to be hired for a fashion show. A runway model can work in other areas, such as department store fashion shows, creating product lines and acting. The often thin shape of many fashion models has been criticized for warping girls' body image and encouraging eating disorders.
Salary
Despite the stereotype of modelling as a lucrative and glamorous profession, according to the United States Bureau of Labour Statistics the median wage for commercial and print models was only $11.22 per hour in 2006. MarketWatch listed modelling as one of the ten worst jobs in America. Print models generally earn low wages working for low-budget clients such as manufacturers or stores. Experienced print models make $200 to $500 per hour. Print models that work with an agent give 15% to 20% of earnings to the agent. The most famous print models make thousands of dollars an hour.
Beginner female runway models make less money than models that have experience. The average wage for a female runway model can range from $ 250 -$1,000 an hour per runway walk. The annual salary of a top runway model can exceed $500,000. Costs of travel, transportation, food, hotels, etc. are deducted from the model's pay. Fashion models under contract after discovery by editors, cosmetic companies, photographers, and fashion industry professionals can make from $300,000 to $2 million per year.
Male runway models make less than female runway models. Beginner male models can earn up to $150 per shoot. Famous male models make at least $500,000 per year. Designer clothing and fragrance ads pay the most money. A male runway model can earn from $8,000-$15,000 per day for high-end catalogues.
Age limits
In 2008 Australian Fashion Week introduced a minimum age of 16 for models after a backlash over the scheduled appearance of a 14-year-old Polish girl, Monika Jagaciak. Fashion weeks around the world have barred models under 16.
L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival, along with most glossy fashion magazines, also has an age limit of 16 for its models.