There are steadily holding numbers of models continuing to flood the ranks. The agencies are doing well for both themselves and their large rosters of models in all areas.
MALE MODELS IN DEMAND
Male modeling also expanded tremendously in the 1990s. The major modeling agencies have all opened divisions for their male models due to the new expanded market. Men are now working as runway models for shows and videos, doing print and live work, and edging into the fashion world that had been dominated exclusively by the female models for decades.
The emergence of the male as an admired figure for his looks alone is a new trend, and the male modeling world is capitalizing on this idea. The male model no longer needs to be a gentleman shown in a size 40 suit as an accessory to an exquisitely turned out high fashion female model, but is more often seen as an entity unto himself. He has the whole gamut of a designer-made wardrobe. Underwear for men has become very status-oriented, and as a result many male models are being hired for their beautiful physiques. This was not the case just a few years ago, when the male model's major purpose was to render a subdued but proper costume, an inspired necessity to any man's wardrobe.
The recent trend toward fashion design in men's apparel has led major newspapers to do extensive sections on menswear from hats to swimwear.
The look that is currently in is one of an unshaven, swarthy sex symbol or blond collegiate-athlete. Unkempt hair and sullen looks now represent a more relaxed overall attitude. The wardrobe of the modern male has expanded to such incredible dimensions that men's cosmetics, fragrances, and facial products are an immense market in themselves. Both live and photographic male models are needed for this ballooning market.
Color is another major change in the men's clothing market. It is not unusual to have the wardrobe include every color of shirt, pants, ties, and jackets that could be imagined. Therefore, the prints and catalogs are now much more extensive than they used to be and are creating more and more work for the male model. The variety of sportswear alone fills pages of ads in magazines, catalogs, newspapers, and on billboards and flyers.
Men's shoes, boots, and sports footwear have become so diversified that they are now classified as fashion also and get lots of prime ad space.
Eyewear has become so chic that men are expected to sport several different kinds of sunglasses, as well as designer frames even if they wear contact lenses.
The high-priced men's clothing market has created thousands of modeling spots. The items are so status-oriented that many are one-of-a-kind. Much male modeling has become prestigious in the same way that female modeling has. Items that were exclusively worn by the super-rich of yesterday are a fast growing market for today's man. Silk pajamas, linen shorts, and cashmere shawl-collared robes that sell for hundreds are fast becoming chic for men.
The well-dressed man of yesterday was more than likely quietly outfitted by his tailor exclusively, and there was no need to advertise style, as it was set by the famous and royal. Today's man is able to dress with much more flair than ever before, and the selection is shown endlessly by the male modeling industry.
It would not be unusual for a male model to make well over $100,000 per year after he started to become established. If he "takes off," his salary could well be over the $150,000 mark. There are men who model the gamut from photographic work to television commercials. They do extremely well at paycheck time and are able to maintain their careers for many years.
Male models are needed very frequently for catalog work. This can be their bread and butter for decades if they are liked by the client and remain attractive. Now some men's clothing does change style dramatically each year, opening another new arena.
Modeling schools accept male models-to-be at age thirteen and upward. This would not be an option in all schools, as some instruct only women. Many schools believe that the male model is mostly interested in television commercials and thus stress that particular area of instruction for men. The television commercial is one of the highest paying areas for the male model, without doubt. The other area where he might stand to make a large amount for one commercial would be in the contract for an exclusive product (similar to that of the Marlboro Man). These are the two that stand alone at the top of the ladder.
A male model could be hired by an agency from about $250.00 to $312.50 per hour as his starting rate. If he becomes popular, his rate increases. An agency will help polish a man into a model if it believes that he has the potential; it will also help with portfolio guidance and with his photographs, making appointments with photographers who may be testing.
The male model today is making his own fashion statement. Ultra high chic at thousand dollar price tags are filling the fashion sections of international papers at an amazing pace. Couture designers are redefining what men should wear when. The tailored suit is no longer the only choice of apparel for an evening out. Everything from a Chanel-motif jacket with matching wool slacks to diamonds-for-him are now de rigueur. The most expensive as well as exclusive shops are now catering to the revolutionary new clothing for men. This will surely bode well for the fashion modeling career for many male models, as the advertising and the editorial possibilities are being expanded so greatly.
THE FUTURE OF MODELING FOR WOMEN
Women models have always had the corner on the market, and they are still holding their own in all categories. Women models tend to take advantage of their ability to work in the various markets throughout the world. They also go back and forth when other work, like a television role, is offered. While increases are shown in the number of female models registered, the actual employment of male models has not grown much on an annual basis.
Many women models are branching out into the entire spectrum of modeling possibilities to make as much money as is available while they are employable in the field.
The newest market for the female model is that of video, which is an ever increasing market. The high fashion model is getting much more exposure via video than ever before.
The other area that has opened up expressly for the female model is the area of high fashion with extremely young women showing women's couture (fashion). These young girls are taking over a market that had been solely reserved for women at least ten years older. It has placed a whole different vantage point on the modeling future. If young women of ages eleven to thirteen are to be the representatives of the high fashion market, the prices that they command will fall in the highest ranges. There are contracts offered and signed now those are in the hundreds of thousands for the right look in the preteen years. This trend started about twenty years ago and has taken off. Now all the major agencies are hiring younger and younger girls who would normally be employed by an agency for children's modeling.
Salary rates per hour doubled in some instances between 1990 and now. Catalog work is paying $187.50 per hour at today's pay scale for women. Children now make $125.00 per hour for catalog work. Many female models are now started at pay scales of $1,500.00 per day, and the scale rises with demand for the model!
Women models have more choices today than they have ever had. The increase in salary per hour has been a big step forward, but the opportunity to work in hundreds of different locations has also expanded the viable market. Many young women who would have been limited to working in New York City are working in many major cities in Europe, Scandinavia, Australia, and Japan, as well as in other large cities in the United States.
The market is larger, the work is more varied, and regardless of the immense numbers of men and children who are joining the modeling force, modeling is still the stronghold of a woman's industry. There are many more job opportunities in the modeling field for young women than for any of the other members of the profession. Pretty young women will be in demand to promote the nation's products as long as the American industrial world and a large portion of the advertising industry believe that sexy young women attract both men and women to products.
THE FUTURE OF TELEVISION MODELING
Television modeling is another area that is burgeoning beyond all predictions for making money as a model. There are more possibilities for variety in this medium than in any of the others. The man who is a he-man, wimp, pizza-tosser, or skydiver can make large amounts from television commercials.
For the women models, anything from high fashion to the hands only is possible. All areas for women are soaring. There is no shortage of work in television, but there is endless competition. Everybody wants a slice of the most ‘well-paying’ pie.
Male models are making a much more obvious dent in television commercials, as their clothing goes more and more into designer fashions. The men's cosmetic industry is taking off, as is the entire array of leisure items from home computers to sporting gear.
Child models are also doing extremely well, from tiny babies to teenagers. Their field encompasses the major portion of the toy market (which is sizable), children's clothing and shoes, medicines for children, and a myriad of other possibilities. In fact the market is so lucrative that many child models are surpassing their counterparts in the adult modeling world. Everyone loves puppies and babies, is an old adage, but it has paid its weight in gold in the television commercial world. As a case in point, a baby only a few months old made over $13,000 in commercials and their residuals.
The area of television commercials has so expanded that many major modeling agencies that handled basically photographic models have now added separate television divisions to their ranks. Many models used to have the modeling agency do the booking for everything except television commercials; now they are able to have their modeling agent handle the whole market. Agents and managers who do not run modeling agencies also handle television commercial people.
Television has a very solid future and promises many jobs for models of both sexes and the widest variety of ages. The television industry runs on the money of sponsors, and they are in continual need of models to demonstrate their products.
Models and actors used to be looked down upon for doing commercials, but the money and attitudes have both changed noticeably. The biggest names in show business are out there as your stiffest competition for that high-paying commercial.
Billions of dollars are spent annually on commercials for television. That indicates the strength behind the market for the continued need for thousands of television models for future times.
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