What We Look for in Models

“Being photogenic? Yes. Good-looking? Yes and no! Having personality? Absolutely. Being charming? A model who wishes to have a long career and not just be a flash in the pan in the fashion world must have loads of charm. Classy? It would be rather helpful and would make an outfit look better. Well-read? Not required. Smart? A key asset to learn how to manage one’s career.

I am referring to beautiful features but also to certain characteristics that will make you look unique, and to long, harmonious bodies, and not to thinness. Yet willpower is rarely mentioned, and I mean the willpower to rise very early in the morning to be made up and groomed before shows or shootings, traveling non-stop changing continents, standing for hours on end under the sun wearing heavy coats, or sporting summer clothes when freezing cold, far from home and family for long periods, besides the initial humiliation of having to stand in lines at magazine offices or modeling agencies or designer studios for castings and to submit their books, often with a final rejection.

And then versatility, which means being able to interpret different roles according to the photographer’s needs. And to move your body in an unconventional way, or a little more unusually, like jumping, dancing and so on. And also the face must be capable of changing expression and act following a story.

And brains. Being clever enough to know when to accept or reject a job, as well as the ability to exploit oneself without losing dignity. Thinking that there will be a life after modeling, and reflecting carefully on what to do. Personality. Lots of it. This is what really makes a model successful.

The world is full of beautiful women, but little have personality. And it is unbelievable how very attractive girls just won’t make it, while others, defined “plain” by same-age girls browsing magazines, become successful. They have personality to spare, and this makes them successful in the photographers’ eyes, those who actually pick them.

When submitting the photographs for the modeling casting, don’t think of classic beauty only but of girls showing temperament, in their face and in their personality. And, please, no Photoshopping. You can’t tell the real from the fake. A successful model will get to a casting au naturel. It’s the photographers job to change them, and sometimes for the worse!”

Franca Sozzani – Vogue