Work Environment
Fashion Models typically work in the following Career Sectors:
Videos on the Web
- Fashion Model- from: Youtube Search
Most commonly reported Work Activities
- Performing General Physical Activities Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
- Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
- Scheduling Work and Activities Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
- Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Handling and Moving Objects Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
- Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
The Work
As a fashion model, you would promote clothing and accessories to fashion buyers, customers and the media. You might model items in fashion shows, or in photographs for catalogues, magasines, newspapers and advertising campaigns.
If you are interested in fashion and you look after your appearance, a job as a model might suit you. In this job you will need to be well groomed. You will also have to have a professional attitude and the ability to get on with a wide range of people.
You don't need any formal qualifications to get into this type of work. It’s important is that you the right ‘look’ for the kind of modelling you wish to do.
You could specialise in various types of modelling, such as:
- photographic, advertising and TV commercials
- fashion and catwalk
- in-house live modelling for designers and clothing wholesalers
- promotional modelling (demonstrating non-fashion items at product launches and trade fairs)
- alternative modelling, if you have piercings, tattoos or an edgy, diverse look.
In fashion show modelling you would walk along a catwalk, turning to display clothes in front of an audience.
In photographic, advertising and commercial modelling you would:
- pose for photographers in a studio or on location
- take directions from photographers
- act or deliver lines in TV commercials.
If you worked as an in-house live model, designers would fit garments onto you in the workshop, and you would show finished clothing to fashion buyers and private customers. You might also have basic reception and secretarial duties when not modelling.
As a photographic or catwalk model, you would work closely with stylists, hair and make-up artists, producers and directors. You would also spend much of your time going to castings for jobs, keeping in contact with your agency, and looking after your appearance.
Most commonly reported Work Tasks
- Pose for artists and photographers, with or without clothes.
- Record rates of pay and durations of jobs on vouchers.
- Gather information from agents concerning the pay, dates, times, provisions, and lengths of jobs.
- Report job completions to agencies and obtain information about future appointments.
- Assemble and maintain portfolios, print composite cards, and travel to go-sees to obtain jobs.
- Pose as directed, or strike suitable interpretive poses for promoting and selling merchandise or fashions during appearances, filming, or photo sessions.
- Promote products and services in television commercials, on film, or in videos.
- Make many quick changes backstage during fashion shows and yet maintain poised appearance before audiences.
- Follow strict routines of diet, sleep, and exercise to maintain appearance.
- Apply makeup to face and style hair to enhance appearance, considering such factors as color, camera techniques, and facial features.
Further Information
- Fashion Model - from: N.C.S. [UK]
Qualities - Fashion Model
Good personality, good appearance and good dress sense are very important factors in this career and while no special type of beauty is essential, a Model must be photogenic.
An alert, enthusiastic and adaptable personality is needed, as is a well-developed sense of responsibility towards work and discipline.
Good health is essential, as the work makes heavy demands on the stamina of the Models, who are on their feet most of the day and may frequently have to model out-of-season clothes, e.g. flimsy garments in winter conditions and heavy winter wear in summer.
Interests - Fashion Model
This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:
Creative
Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.
Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.
Enterprising
Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.
Realist
Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.
Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.
Entry - Fashion Model
People interested in this career should first contact a reputable model agency. Before being accepted they will be interviewed.
Some agencies may ask for recent clear photographs. The photographs need not be professional at this stage. If the agency considers that the necessary potential exists, it will advise on the choice of training.
Acceptance for a modelling course is no guarantee of subsequent employment by the agency.
Openings in Ireland for work as professional Fashion Models are mainly in Dublin, but top agencies can secure engagements for successful Models abroad.
Training & Development
FET Centre PLC Course: Fashion Design, Drama & Acting performance, and Digital media skills at NFQ level 5-6 search our FET PLC coursefinder
Profesional development Training
A potential Model does not have to do a modelling course. If an agency thinks you have potential they will advance your career. The courses of training in modelling are usually held in modelling schools around Ireland, full & part time, and vary in length from four weeks to three months. Consider content and skills acquired in line with your goals.
Last Updated: March, 2023
Pay & Salary - Fashion Model
Salary Range (thousands per year)* €23k - €51k
Models are paid by the job, project, and show or media platform they monetize they work on. Job / Agency rates and frequency can vary. Salaries vary by employer, location, experience, and duties.
Data Source(s):
Indeed/ Glassdoor/ Eireiri
Last Updated: February, 2024
* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.
View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available
Labour Market Updates - Fashion Model
This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).
Employment grew strongly between 2021 and 2022, with an additional 7,300 persons employed. As illustrated in the CSO Census data below, employment is spread across a number of roles; since 2016, the strongest growth, in absolute terms, was for graphic designers and authors, writers and translators.
New employment permits issued for this occupation in 2022 were primarily for film/TV and animation/visual effects (VFX) roles but also for linguistics experts in the ICT sector. There was also a high volume of recent job hires in line with the recent employment increase. The data does not point to overall issues with recruitment for these roles.
Useful Contacts - Fashion Model
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Retail Ireland
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Design & Crafts Council of Ireland
- Castle Yard, Kilkenny
- (056) 776 1804
- Click Here
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COMREG Communcations regulator
