Fashion Modeling Terms

Modeling terms are something that every model and aspiring model should know.

These terms are commonly assumed as knowledge that you already know.

Make sure you go to your modeling job with the knowledge to understand the lingo of the world of modeling.

Know beforehand so that you will go to your job with the expertise and experience of a fashion model.

1-9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

1-9

8 x 10 - A headshot of a model that is 8 inches by 10 inches, which is taken by a professional photographer.

A

Actor - Performers that act in tv films and/or on stages.

Accessory - 1. A decoration or piece of clothing that adds emphasis to an outfit. 2. A supplementary device such as a make up accessory.

Ad Agency - The abbreviated term for an Advertising Agency.

Advance - Money that is paid before the modeling job is completed. This is deducted at a later time from the model's pay. Advances can be given to cover modeling supplies such as portfolios.

AEA - A union for theater actors and actresses called the Actor Equity Association.

AFTRA - The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists that represents the union of performers that star in television productions.

Agency - A business that acts as an employment agency. An agency helps promote their models, schedules casting calls, and bills the clients for whom the model works for. An agency usually charges a commision of 15-20% of the model's total earnings for that job.

Agency Book - A group of headshots contained in a portfolio.

Agency Card - 1. A small card containing information about the model's agency such as phone number and location. 2. A card that shows a model's personal information such as height and weight.

Agency Contract - A model release or other written agreement that explains the obligations between an agency and a model, or a photographer and a model, this usually comes from the agency.

Agency Director - A person or individual that has a management position inside an agency.

Agency Party - A social gathering, party, or celebration that is sponsored by a model's agency. These can include, but are not limited to birthday parties, and holiday parties.

Agent - A person or individual who arranges jobs for a model that they are representing.

Agent's Trained Eye - The skill of an experienced person to spot potentially successful models.

Age Range - An age group of individuals ranging from any age whether it is young or old.

B

Beauty Shot - A headshot from the shoulders up, where the main focus is on the model's face, including make up, hair, and accessories.

Body Shot - A full length photo of a model, where the main focus is on the model's body.

Book - A model's portfolio containing composite cards and photographs of a model that is representing a certain modeling agency.

Booker - A person or individual who arranges jobs for a model that they are representing.

Booking - A job that already been scheduled and confirmed for a model.

Booking Out - When a model indicates times that he/she will be unavailable for work by crossing out time on his/her planner or schedule.

C

Callback - A second interview after a model has alredy attended and initial go-see.

Casting - When a business chooses a model for a fashion show, print, etc.

Casting Call - A request made by a business or company for agencies to have the models appear for an interview.

Cattle Call - An audition where a lot of models show up at the same time, and are competing for the same job position.

Catwalk - A term that is used to describe a fashion runway.

Character Model - A model whose appearance suggests a certain character, such as a grandmother or construction worker.

Client - The business that is hiring a model for a specific job.

Collection - Groups of clothing of different styles made and created by fashion designers.

Commentary - A description at a runway show that explains about the garment that the model is wearing.

Commentator - The person who is describing a garment that a model is wearing at a runway show.

Commercial Look - An appearance that appeals to a wide variety of people and consumers.

Commercial Model - A model who appears in commercial advertisements.

Commission - A certain percentage of the model's earnings from a modeling job that is taken out by the agency that is representing the model. Typical commission is from about 15% to 20% of the total job earnings.

Composite - A card with the model's picture, the agency representing them, and personal information (height, weight, etc).

Contract - A legal statement between a model and either his/her photographer, business, or agency that is representing him/her.

Convention/Trade Show - A trade show used to attract agencies who are looking for potential models with talent and poise.

Cover Girl - A female model who appears on the cover of a magazine or other forms of print work.

D

Day Rate - A model who works at a certain specified daily rate no matter how many hours the model actually works.

Department Store Model - A model who models for a department store, giving make up demonstrations, or modeling specific garmets or accessories.

Designer - A person who designs garments and accessories.

Dresser - A person or individual who assists and fits the model into the wardrobe.

E

Editorial - A section of a magazine that shows a fashion and isn't trying to advertise anything.

Exclusivity Clause - A legal document that only allows the model to work for one agency, and not work for any other agencies.

F

Fad Look - A certain style that many people are wearing that is "in style."

Fall Fashion Show - A fashion show that shows fall collections made by designers.

Freelance - A model who doesn't rely on an agency to help promote and represent him/her.

Full Figure Model - A model who shows larger clothing fashions, garments and accessories.

G

Go-See - An appointment to "go see" a prospective client. A model takes his/her portfolio along with him/her when he/she goes to go-sees.

H

Hair Model - A model that specializes on demonstrating the use of his/her hair.

Hand Model - A model that specializes on demonstrating the use of his/her hand.

Head Shot - A photograph that concentrates on the model's head, the head shot shows make up, hair, and accessories.

High Fashion - A term that is used to describe a model who participates in fashion shows that is slightly taller and has a sophisticated overall appearance. High fashion models are the most well-known kind of models as well as thie highest paid models.

I

Informal Modeling - A type of modeling in which the model circulates among consumers and customers and answers questions about the garment or accessories that he/she is modeling.

L

Laser - A way or process to copy photographs.

Listing Agreement - A legal agreement between a model and an agency that gives the agency permission to market the model to prospective clients.

Loupe - A small manifying glass that is hand-held, it is used to view slides or contact sheets.

M

Make Up Artist - The person who is hired by the client to apply make up to models. Some clients have their own make up artists.

Mannequin Modeling - The process where live models hold frozen, mannequin-like positions.

Model Release - A legal statement that releases the rights of the model to the photographs that are taken at a photo shoot.

O

Off-the-Rack - Clothing that are taken off of racks at department stores and purchased. These clothing styles are ready-to-wear as opposed to customized clothing.

Open Call - When modeling agencies will see prospective models without previously scheduled appointments.

P

Parts Model - A model that specializes on demonstrating the use of his/her body parts such as hands, feet, etc.

Photographer Release - A legal statement authorizing the photographer to use the photographs taken during a photo shoot.

Plus-size Model - A model who wears a larger size of garments. The size of plus-size models is usually size 12 and up.

Portfolio - A hand-held case that contains phoographs of a mode's work.

Press Release - A statement that is distributed as a publicity release to the media.

Pre-Teen Model - A model that is under 13 years of age.

Print Work - Photographs that are taken especially for print media such as magazines.

R

Ramp - A place designated for runway modeling. A ramp can be slanted or a flat surface, or a stage.

Ramp Model - A model who specializes in demonstrating and displaying clothing and garments during fashion shows.

Relased - This term is used for a model that is told that they are no longer being considered for modeling jobs, (usually around the age of 30).

Runway - A strip of platform or designated area for a model to walk while displaying and demonstrating clothing and garments to the audience.

Runway Model - A model who specializes in demonstrating and displaying clothing and garments during fashion shows.

S

Seamless Paper - A wide sheet of disposable paper that is attached to the ceiling and is in a roll. It is pulled down across the floor and taped down. Models stand on this paper in front of the photographer to provide a visual scene-free background.

Shoot - A photo shoot session.

Showroom - A room where models wear, display, or demonstrate samples and/or originals of saleable items to consumers and customers.

Showroom Model - A model that works in a show room and either wears, displays, or demonstrates samples and/or originals of saleable items to customers and consumers.

Stylist - A professional who provides accessories, garments, and/or props.

Supermodel - A famous and/or well accomplished model, or a celebrity model.

T

Tear Sheet - a page cut or torn from a magazine or other printed publication that is usually put in a model's portfolio.

Test Shoot - A photo shoot where the model and photographer agree to divide the costs of the shoot. This photo shoot is for the benefit of the photographer and the model.

Trade Show - A display or products and/or services, usually called a fair.

V

Voucher - A legal statement that usually originates from the model's agency that includes the contact information and the model's rates, this serves as a release for the model.

Z

ZED Card - A card with the model's picture, the agency representing them, and personal information (height, weight, etc).

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