Different Types of Modelling: Niches
What are the many subcategories within the modelling industry?
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Different subsections within the modelling industry
Modelling is an extremely diverse industry, with many separate niches and perhaps unexpected possibilities that many are unaware of. These subcategories of modelling can often intertwine, allowing models to expand their services to a plethora of niches.
The British Fashion Model Agents Association (BFMA), a trade association affiliated with the British Fashion Council, recognises the following as a number of categories within the wider industry: High Fashion, Editorial, Commercial Print, Digital and E-commerce, Social Media, TV Commercials, Below the Line, Curve, Glamour Modelling, Body Part Models.
High Fashion
Working across editorials and catwalks, high fashion models are associated with luxury fashion houses and designers.
A high fashion model will often wear artistic themes relating to the promoted clothing, while performing required emotions through both facial and body expressions.
Editorial
The BFMA describes the fees earned in editorials as ‘relatively low’.
While it can take ‘a few years’ to build up to higher paid jobs, the exposure provided by editorial modelling can drastically improve one’s portfolio.
Commercial Print
As suggested in its title, commercial print modelling is tied in with the advertising industry.
Models in this niche may have photographs placed in magazines and catalogues, billboards, and other forms of still image commercials.
Digital and E-commerce
E-commerce has seen a significant spike in recent years, with the trend exacerbated by the global pandemic. Bricks-and-mortar stores are often being shelved or reimagined in favour of online retail traction.
In turn, modelling opportunities for said websites have seen some, according to the BFMA, ‘working almost daily and growing their experience’.
Social Media
Tied in with the rise of digital and e-commerce is the ever-growing aspect of social media.
Despite this, only those with vast followers can attract the highest fees from companies aiming to spread their omnichannel marketing campaigns through Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok.
TV Commercials
Requirements for TV commercials can be seen as less stringent than for those looking to walk a high fashion catwalk, especially since many brands have started to widen their casting nets to embrace a more diverse catalogue of models.
Although some acting skills may be a prerequisite for some roles, this can be learned by new applicants.
Curve
This form of modelling is a definite example of the non-exclusive nature of these subcategories within the industries.
Mainly aimed at women between the sizes of 12-18 UK and above a height of 172cm, curve models are becoming increasingly in demand due to the increasing awareness of body inclusivity.
Glamour Modelling
Despite not being represented by the BFMA, glamour modelling is a niche within the industry all the same.
Usually carried out as a genre of photography with models posing in varying degrees of clothing, from fully clothed to nude, success in glamour modelling is directly associated with physical good looks.
Body Part Models
Utilised in both print and TV, a body part model is a particularly niche sub sector within the industry.
Models can showcase their talents related to a single body part, such as hands, legs, feet, hair, eyes, and lips, to gain specialised employability.