Three 'Ordinary' Women Tell How They Made it as a Model

We all have an image in our minds of what it takes to be a model. Generally that means being tall and slim. But throughout the country thousands of women make a success out of modelling without being a size eight and six feet tall.

It is important to be presentable and confident, but you also need to know who to approach and what you are letting yourself in for, according to agency Sapphires Model Management which has character models and ‘ordinary’ women on its books as well as catwalk models. ‘All kinds of work is available in modelling. Companies putting a brochure together might need models for a photo shoot, there are product launches and events,’ said Sapphires director Ian Warren. ‘But to start the only information an agency needs is your age, height and vital statistics. Most important is your contact details. You would be surprised how many people get in touch and don’t leave their phone number. ‘Then they leave lots of information that isn’t relevant. An agency doesn’t need to know your hobbies or your GCSE results. Nor do they need to see expensive glamorous photos. Photos need to be clear and show your facial features and figure but if they are out of focus they are no good.’ Sapphires has had its share of crazy photos. One girl send in a photo of herself with her mates on holiday poking their tongues out and holding onto bottles of plonk with a note stapled to it saying: ‘I’m third on the left’. Men tend to send in photos of their torso taken in a mirror. ‘No matter how hunky you think you are, a blurry torso picture isn’t going to get you anywhere,’ laughed Ian.

But there is a lot of work out there and a good agency can help. ‘We get calls from photographers, companies, all kinds of businesses needing models. So we can match our models to the right job. Once you are on our books we can help with photographs and styling,’ added Ian. Many successful models work part-time. It means they can carry on with the ‘day job’ and fit modelling into weekends, evenings and holidays.

Kitten Von Mew, 25, is a receptionist in Warwick but also a successful vintage pin up model specialising in the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. She has turned her passion for everything to do with these decades into a second career. ‘A local photographer approached me at a local gig and asked me if I wanted to do a shoot. I thought he was joking. I said no, but we kept bumping to each other and eventually I said yes,’ she explained. Since then she has worked at events associated with the Second World War, has been Marilyn Monroe and recently worked at a promotional event at Blenheim Palace. Her advice for would be models is that it is hard work. ‘I do a lot of research on the periods. I study photographs and search through magazines. I also only buy genuine vintage clothes, that is vital to get the look right. For example you need to have a genuine girdle underneath to make the dresses hang properly. I scour second hand shops and the internet,’ she added. Based in Stratford-on-Avon, she is well placed to travel for modelling assignments. ‘If the job is right and there is time to plan then I can do it, added Kitten.

Amarjit Kaur is a 45 year old senior special needs library van driver. She also translates for the NHS. But her glamorous side finds her modelling for all kinds of catalogues and brochures. She has been a nurse, a lorry driver and appeared in magazines and on advertising billboards. She has even modelled for a funeral business! ‘It is the variety that I enjoy. I am a naturally outgoing person and like meeting people,’ said Amarjit, from Wolverhampton, who has three daughters. It was one of her daughters who persuaded her to start modelling after taking her picture for her photography course. Now in between delivering books for a special needs unit and her NHS work she can be found posing for various character modelling jobs. ‘I use my days off and take holidays to fit in the modelling jobs. It keeps me active and although hard work, is fun too,’ she said.

Nurse Laura Brown had a different route into part-time modelling. She was talent spotted by a scout at the age of 15. ‘I was shopping in Birmingham and they asked me if I was interested and took my details, said Laura, 23. But she didn’t pursue the opportunity. Then two years ago a friend asked her to help out with some work and she hasn’t looked back since. She now works a four and a half day week as a GP surgery nurse and fits modelling in the rest of the time. ‘I see myself as having two careers and they are both very different. As a teenager I used to fantasize about being a catwalk model, what girl doesn’t? But there is a lot of work available once you start,’ she added. She works hard to keep her figure and look fit. ‘I dance, got to aerobics and kick boxing. It is important for me to look good for the kind of work I like doing. For anyone interested in modelling I would say, just go for it. All you have to do is get some photos taken, they don’t have to be professional and find an agency,’ said Laura. Everyone agrees that it is worth searching around to find the right agency. ‘Visit their website and phone them to find out how to apply. Some are happy to see you without an appointment, others want a written application. You also have to be prepared to travel. Modelling jobs rarely take place on your doorstep,’ advised Ian.