If you’re someone who admires the most famous top models and often dreams of becoming the next Claudia Schiffer or Miranda Kerr, here are a few useful tips that will help you take the first steps toward a successful career in modeling. 

Take care of your body and appearance 

Being pretty in the traditional sense is not a necessity anymore. You can achieve great success in the world of fashion even if you’re dark-skinned or don’t have a slender waist. Nevertheless, aesthetics matter. If you’re aspiring to be a model, start taking care of your hair, skin, nails, and other body parts. Improving fitness, enhancing strength, and decreasing body fat are some of the things that you should focus on. Also, it’s important to have a strong and confident posture. So, start taking care of your body as much as you can. You can start by following an exercise routine and adopting a healthy diet and lifestyle.  

Gain modeling skills 

Fashion modeling is a highly competitive field. If you’re a beginner, there is a lot to learn and practice when it comes to posing and walking on a runway. If you lack posing ability and don’t get your walk right, you’re unlikely to make it big in modeling, even if you have a nice face and a fit body. If you have decided to be a fashion model, start developing your modeling skills now. From scouring the pages of top fashion magazines to binge-watching America’s Next Top Model series, just begin with anything you get your hands on.  

Get a Portfolio 

Even if you’re a beginner, relying on a few selfies and a few randomly shot pictures is not a good idea. If you’re serious about your modeling career, you must have a portfolio that you can share with potential clients. The main objective of a fashion portfolio is to show your potential clients how you look and what kind of work you can do.  

Get professional, high-quality shots in various poses and costumes, and include the best ones in your portfolio. If you have modeling experience, you can also include your past work in your portfolio. You can get a printed as well as an online version of your portfolio that you can send through email. Always remember that when it comes to bagging a new contract, your portfolio can make all the difference! So even if it may seem time-consuming, building a portfolio is necessary.  

Find an Agency 

Breaking out as a model on your own won’t be easy, even if you’re super talented. Whether you like it or not, most clients prefer working with agencies. Therefore, if you want to get discovered, finding the best modeling agency is a must. The networks and connections that a modelling agency has will go a long way when it comes to helping you find work. While making a submission to an agency, make sure that your portfolio is eye-catching, but at the same time, keep it simple and natural. You may have to appear for an audition, particularly if you’re eyeing a top agency. Do proper research and find out everything you can about the agency including its legitimacy, reviews, best beauty campaigns, and the submission process.  

Put yourself out there 

Don’t wait for things to happen. While finding the best modeling agency will be a great help, make sure that you spend time networking with people and building your personal brand. In fashion modeling, an outgoing personality definitely helps. You can also consider volunteering in fashion shows as that will provide you an opportunity to meet and interact with industry people. Also, try to increase your social media following. Considering the fact that many agencies and clients scout for new faces online, a strong social media presence will greatly increase your chances of being discovered. 

In the world of fashion design, competition is intense. However, opportunities exist for everyone. Moreover, with the industry becoming more inclusive of age, size, and gender, you can definitely build a long, successful career as a fashion model. However, you must know how to make your way through the difficulties and challenges that this industry will inevitably throw at you. Most importantly, just like any other profession, you must have the passion and commitment to make it to the top.