Alyssa Dilts is the Director of New Faces & Development at Elite Model Management Chicago where she focuses on the scouting and development of new models. Alyssa's style includes dressing with today's rocker chic trend while adding in classic elements to complete her look. But her most important style includes her dedication to helping models undertand that the more developed and knowledgeable a model is the more successful they will become in their career. She holds classes for the new models on a regular basis reviewing professional practices, how to move behind the camera and how to walk the runway.
Alyssa will be my new guest blogger for the next few weeks, sharing with us her knowledge on the world of modeling!
Week #1
The Client Sets the Standard for The Model
The most often asked question of a model scout is “What are you looking for?” Essentially a scout is looking for what the client is asking for. However for me it goes beyond that and is not something I can put into words such as hair or eye color for me it’s the “it” factor. I could be on the lookout for months searching for the next blonde-haired, blue-eyed beauty but I’ll be stopped in my tracks when I see a red head and will want to offer her a contract because I know she has “it”.
Sure, there are requirements for high-fashion models. However, most things can be altered as needed such as skin (if broken out), hair (cut, color, correct) or body (gain/lose weight). We even work with models to be more outgoing and personable if they’re shy or introverted. Of course, we cannot change a model’s height. As agents, we know we see beautiful people of all shapes and sizes, but we also know what most clients are looking for, and that usually but not always, entails specific heights.
It is the clients, not the agents, that set the standards for which the agents scout for. If a client has to promote their next season’s garments and they want to hire models to help sell it, they look at the sizes and measurements of those garments and in turn call an agency to request that size of model.
The Chicago market is unique because it is more flexible with their requirements than primary markets such as New York or Paris. Chicago clients are typically looking for something more diverse and therefore there is more leeway with height. Women should be between 5’7” to 5’11” for print modeling and 5’10” to 5’11” for runway modeling. A lot of people like to point out that Kate Moss is only 5’6”, and there are exceptions to any “rule” in modeling just like anywhere else. Keep in mind, however, that there is much more to making model than just height and beauty, and a young woman with an exceptional personality can make up for whatever other differences she might have.
With all of the television coverage and glamorization of the modeling industry, there are many pretty people out there that want to be models and so a potential model has to bring something unique to the table and the best way to do it is with a dynamic personality.
Check back next week to a guide to knowing your niche as a model.
- Alyssa Dilts, Elite Model Management
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