Fashion Modeling Terms

1-9

8 x 10 - A headshot of a model that is 8 inches by 10 inches, which is taken by a professional photographer.

A

Actor - Performers that act in tv films and/or on stages.
Accessory - 1. A decoration or piece of clothing that adds emphasis to an outfit. 2. A supplementary device such as a make up accessory.
Ad Agency - The abbreviated term for an Advertising Agency.
Advance - Money that is paid before the modeling job is completed. This is deducted at a later time from the model's pay. Advances can be given to cover modeling supplies such as portfolios.
AEA - A union for theater actors and actresses called the Actor Equity Association.
AFTRA - The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists that represents the union of performers that star in television productions.
Agency - A business that acts as an employment agency. An agency helps promote their models, schedules casting calls, and bills the clients for whom the model works for. An agency usually charges a commision of 15-20% of the model's total earnings for that job.
Agency Book - A group of headshots contained in a portfolio.

Agency Card - 1. A small card containing information about the model's agency such as phone number and location. 2. A card that shows a model's personal information such as height and weight.
Agency Contract - A model release or other written agreement that explains the obligations between an agency and a model, or a photographer and a model, this usually comes from the agency.
Agency Director - A person or individual that has a management position inside an agency.
Agency Party - A social gathering, party, or celebration that is sponsored by a model's agency. These can include, but are not limited to birthday parties, and holiday parties.
Agent - A person or individual who arranges jobs for a model that they are representing.
Agent's Trained Eye - The skill of an experienced person to spot potentially successful models.
Age Range - An age group of individuals ranging from any age whether it is young or old.

B

Beauty Shot - A headshot from the shoulders up, where the main focus is on the model's face, including make up, hair, and accessories.
Body Shot - A full length photo of a model, where the main focus is on the model's body.
Book - A model's portfolio containing composite cards and photographs of a model that is representing a certain modeling agency.
Booker - A person or individual who arranges jobs for a model that they are representing.
Booking - A job that already been scheduled and confirmed for a model.
Booking Out - When a model indicates times that he/she will be unavailable for work by crossing out time on his/her planner or schedule.

C

Callback - A second interview after a model has alredy attended and initial go-see.
Casting - When a business chooses a model for a fashion show, print, etc.
Casting Call - A request made by a business or company for agencies to have the models appear for an interview.
Cattle Call - An audition where a lot of models show up at the same time, and are competing for the same job position.
Catwalk - A term that is used to describe a fashion runway.
Character Model - A model whose appearance suggests a certain character, such as a grandmother or construction worker.
Client - The business that is hiring a model for a specific job.
Collection - Groups of clothing of different styles made and created by fashion designers.
Commentary - A description at a runway show that explains about the garment that the model is wearing.
Commentator - The person who is describing a garment that a model is wearing at a runway show.
Commercial Look - An appearance that appeals to a wide variety of people and consumers.
Commercial Model - A model who appears in commercial advertisements.
Commission - A certain percentage of the model's earnings from a modeling job that is taken out by the agency that is representing the model. Typical commission is from about 15% to 20% of the total job earnings.
Composite - A card with the model's picture, the agency representing them, and personal information (height, weight, etc).
Contract - A legal statement between a model and either his/her photographer, business, or agency that is representing him/her.
Convention/Trade Show - A trade show used to attract agencies who are looking for potential models with talent and poise.
Cover Girl - A female model who appears on the cover of a magazine or other forms of print work.

D

Day Rate - A model who works at a certain specified daily rate no matter how many hours the model actually works.
Department Store Model - A model who models for a department store, giving make up demonstrations, or modeling specific garmets or accessories.
Designer - A person who designs garments and accessories.
Dresser - A person or individual who assists and fits the model into the wardrobe.

E

Editorial - A section of a magazine that shows a fashion and isn't trying to advertise anything.
Exclusivity Clause - A legal document that only allows the model to work for one agency, and not work for any other agencies.

F

Fad Look - A certain style that many people are wearing that is "in style."

Fall Fashion Show - A fashion show that shows fall collections made by designers.

Freelance - A model who doesn't rely on an agency to help promote and represent him/her.

Full Figure Model - A model who shows larger clothing fashions, garments and accessories.

G

Go-See - An appointment to "go see" a prospective client. A model takes his/her portfolio along with him/her when he/she goes to go-sees.

H

Hair Model - A model that specializes on demonstrating the use of his/her hair.
Hand Model - A model that specializes on demonstrating the use of his/her hand.
Head Shot - A photograph that concentrates on the model's head, the head shot shows make up, hair, and accessories.
High Fashion - A term that is used to describe a model who participates in fashion shows that is slightly taller and has a sophisticated overall appearance. High fashion models are the most well-known kind of models as well as thie highest paid models.

I

Informal Modeling - A type of modeling in which the model circulates among consumers and customers and answers questions about the garment or accessories that he/she is modeling.

L

Laser - A way or process to copy photographs.
Listing Agreement - A legal agreement between a model and an agency that gives the agency permission to market the model to prospective clients.
Loupe - A small manifying glass that is hand-held, it is used to view slides or contact sheets.

M

Make Up Artist - The person who is hired by the client to apply make up to models. Some clients have their own make up artists.
Mannequin Modeling - The process where live models hold frozen, mannequin-like positions.
Model Release - A legal statement that releases the rights of the model to the photographs that are taken at a photo shoot.

O

Off-the-Rack - Clothing that are taken off of racks at department stores and purchased. These clothing styles are ready-to-wear as opposed to customized clothing.
Open Call - When modeling agencies will see prospective models without previously scheduled appointments.

P

Parts Model - A model that specializes on demonstrating the use of his/her body parts such as hands, feet, etc.
Photographer Release - A legal statement authorizing the photographer to use the photographs taken during a photo shoot.
Plus-size Model - A model who wears a larger size of garments. The size of plus-size models is usually size 12 and up.
Portfolio - A hand-held case that contains phoographs of a mode's work.
Press Release - A statement that is distributed as a publicity release to the media.
Pre-Teen Model - A model that is under 13 years of age.
Print Work - Photographs that are taken especially for print media such as magazines.

R

Ramp - A place designated for runway modeling. A ramp can be slanted or a flat surface, or a stage.
Ramp Model - A model who specializes in demonstrating and displaying clothing and garments during fashion shows.
Relased - This term is used for a model that is told that they are no longer being considered for modeling jobs, (usually around the age of 30).
Runway - A strip of platform or designated area for a model to walk while displaying and demonstrating clothing and garments to the audience.
Runway Model - A model who specializes in demonstrating and displaying clothing and garments during fashion shows.

S

Seamless Paper - A wide sheet of disposable paper that is attached to the ceiling and is in a roll. It is pulled down across the floor and taped down. Models stand on this paper in front of the photographer to provide a visual scene-free background.
Shoot - A photo shoot session.
Showroom - A room where models wear, display, or demonstrate samples and/or originals of saleable items to consumers and customers.
Showroom Model - A model that works in a show room and either wears, displays, or demonstrates samples and/or originals of saleable items to customers and consumers.
Stylist - A professional who provides accessories, garments, and/or props.
Supermodel - A famous and/or well accomplished model, or a celebrity model.

T

Tear Sheet - a page cut or torn from a magazine or other printed publication that is usually put in a model's portfolio.
Test Shoot - A photo shoot where the model and photographer agree to divide the costs of the shoot. This photo shoot is for the benefit of the photographer and the model.
Trade Show - A display or products and/or services, usually called a fair.

V

Voucher - A legal statement that usually originates from the model's agency that includes the contact information and the model's rates, this serves as a release for the model.

Z

ZED Card - A card with the model's picture, the agency representing them, and personal information (height, weight, etc).