Neon Models works with Plus Size Models

In recent times there has been a backlash against the unhealthy, ‘heroin’ look that’s been popular in the fashion industry for the past few decades. Sometime in the eighties, fashion designers decided that skeletons with gaunt faces and stick like bodies would be the best thing to display their wares on. And over time, Western culture has grown to believe that skinny is attractive and sexy.

This has not always been the case. Throughout history voluptuousness and curves have been considered attractive. This can be seen in historical art, where the great beauties have soft round faces and chunky, well fed bodies.

This is most likely because it’s only a recent development that humans (in the Western world at least) generally have more available to eat than they need. In history, scrawniness would have represented poverty and sickliness, whereas plumpness showed wealth and health – and was therefore attractive.

But this new obsession with skinniness has had some sad and dangerous effects, including a host of eating disorders, depression and numerous deaths.

So perhaps it’s not surprising that society is beginning to think harder about what they realty find attractive and the unrealistic pressures impressionable young girls and boys are put under.

Some industries and even countries are taking a stand by making guidelines, rules and even passing new legislation to discourage and ban the use of unhealthily thin models.

If you want to help be part of the movement towards more plus size models, then register on the Neon Model website.

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Tips on contacting modelling agencies by Neon Models

If you want to become a model in 2014, you’re probably wondering how to start approaching modelling agencies. Neon Models has links with many major modelling agencies and many years’ experience in helping new models get their foot in the door.

If you’d like a personal consultation, then register on our Neon Models website, or read on for some tips to help you have a successful application.

Choose your modelling agency carefully

There are many different types of models and many different types of agencies. Some large agencies deal with many different types of models, but others are very specialist and niche. You need to check carefully that the agency deals with the kind of modelling you want to do, otherwise you’ll be wasting your time and you risk getting a black mark against your name for wasting their time.

Don’t give up to easily

If you want to make it as a model, you have to be prepared to face rejection and bounce back. Just because one agency doesn’t like you, doesn’t mean you don’t have a chance. You just need to find the right scout, who is into your kind of look. The likelihood that you will be snapped up by the first agency you approach is very slim.

Read the guidelines carefully

Obviously, this seems obvious, but if people did regularly and reliably read the guidelines, we wouldn’t have to put this as an important point. Some people seem to think they can do things their way and the agency will take the time to deal with whatever they send in whatever format, and if it’s not right, contact them to give them feedback and guidance. 

Wrong. The agency does not waste time on people who can’t even be bothered to read their guidelines. If your application deviates from their guidelines in any way, your pictures will go straight in the bin. No consideration, no phone call. You will not hear from them.

For more personalised tips and advice on how to approachthe right modelling agencies, register on the Neon Models site.

Becoming a teenage model

There is always a lot of demand for new teen models as the current ones get older and move into the adult brackets. The teen model bracket is usually considered to be between the ages of 12 and 17 years.

Many child models follow a natural progression into teen models, but also lots of teenagers decide they’d like to try modelling and take their first steps in the industry at this time.

The teen  market is a very major section which companies are keen to target, and each ‘type’ of teen needs to be represented. That means that as well as the standard modelling work for attractive, fresh faced, tall models there will be work for petite models, plus-size models and alternative models, who may have tattoos or be more unusual looking.

Teen modelling work is available across all kinds of formats from glossy magazines to billboards to TV adverts to catalogues and these days even stock photography for websites.

Teenagers who are considering trying to become a model need to make sure they have the right attitude and realistic expectations.

Keeping your expectation realistic

The modelling industry is tough and very competitive and those who think they can just fall into it and make pots of money have got disappointment waiting down the line. Aspiring models need to be willing to invest time and energy in getting their foot in the door, and they have to be thicked skinned to deal with the inevitable early rejections.

Having the Right Attitude

Not all teenagers fit the stereotype of being grumpy and stroppy, but there is definitely no space for that kind of attitude when it comes to modelling. Modelling is a professional and requires a professional attitude. Paying clients are not going to be willing to waste their time with temper tantrums.

If you’d like to find out how Neon Models can help you become a teen model, then register on our site.

Will fashion mannequins start reflecting normal women’s sizes?

You probably don’t really notice the silent clothing display models, standing on the islands around the departments stores – but they are currently at the centre of a heated debate that revolves around the unrealistic body image portrayed by the fashion industry and the negative effects in can have on real people.

These shop window and island mannequins are usually around sixe 8 and have unfeasible body proportions which are humanly impossible – extra long limbs and tiny waists.

In recent years, stores in Scandanavia have begun displaying mannequins that reflect real women’s shapes, to the delight of campaigners. 

Now the pressure is on in the United Kingdom, as a Member of Scottish Parliament has called on retailers to follow suit.

SNP MSP Dennis Robertson’s daughter died of anorexia two years ago, and since then he has become a tireless campaigner to raise awareness of the damaging effects of impossible expectations.

He said: "People who have eating disorders, it's not caused by the mannequins, it's not caused by seeing the fashion within the magazines but it exacerbates a condition for people who are predisposed or who have an eating disorder and it hinders, it puts barriers, obstacles, up for those people who are going through the pathway of recovery.

"I urge the retail industry to get real and show us the images which reflect people and reflect the shapes and sizes of the community we live in."

Find out more about different types of modelling

Neon Models Guide to Walking the Catwalk

If you want to be a fashion model, you need to know how to strut your stuff on the catwalk – without falling over!

Neon Models has written this guide which explains how professional models walk the catwalk.

The first thing to do is get your posture right. That means standing up straight with your head held high and looking straight ahead. Your face should be pointing forward and not to either side. Your expression should be neutral, no big grins or moody scowls!

Your feet is where you will want to focus most of your attention, as this is the most different from normal walking. When you walk the catwalk, imagine there is a line down the middle and you have to place your feet exactly on the line, not to either side of it. If you want a slightly more dramatic look, you may place your feet on the other side of the line, so they cross over each other. Be careful not to trip over your own ankles though!

When you begin to walk, your arms should swing naturally as you move, but you don’t need to swing them back and forth too much. If the outfit has pockets you may want to put your hands in them, but don’t tense your arms when you do so.

As you move, try to keep your body as still as possible and not move from side to side or bob up and down. Lead slightly with your hips rather than your chest, but don’t sashay dramatically.

Your shoulders should be relaxed and slightly back, but don’t stick your chest out too much. There should be no slouching or hunching of the shoulders.

Once you reach the end of the catwalk, it’s customary to strike a pose – now you can be as dramatic as you like. Jut your hips out to one side and then the other, placing your hands on your hips. If you’re wearing a jacket, you may want to slip it off and swing it over one shoulder for full effect.

Great, now you’re ready for the Milan or Pairs fashion shows!

If you’d like to find out how Neon Models can help you become a catwalk model, then register on our site.