Building A Guide For Models

 

Hello Classy People,

My colleagues and I are gearing up for another trimester of work. 

The landscape of social media communication is still taking shape in Morocco due to various unstructured factors. 

We are a group of young Moroccans committed to building an agency that will leave a meaningful impact in the future.

In Marrakesh, the capital of Fashion in Morocco, we are meeting with girls and boys who aspire to pursue modeling.

We have dedicated the mornings to an informative talk and guidance, followed by practical exercises in the afternoons. 

Many Moroccans dream of becoming models, often inspired by magazines and Western television. However, the fashion industry in Morocco is largely limited to the annual TV caftan fashion show and covers of magazines featuring women in caftans. 

Traditionally, models for these appearances have been cast and signed from foreign agencies, primarily in Europe. It is only in recent years that Moroccans have begun to represent brands and walk the runway.

In this first week's sessions, we aim to educate young aspiring models about what it means to be a model, the cultural differences in modeling, the seriousness of the profession, the international and national standards, and more. 

The afternoon exercises will focus on camera-related skills. 

It is crucial for models to feel confident and comfortable in front of the camera, whether during a photoshoot or a video shoot. 

We recommend daily practice in front of a mirror at home and in front of an audience because there will always be people working behind the camera.

I’m also sharing five key points from our material here on my blog, which may be useful for those seeking information online:

1. A model can work in photos and videos, walk the runways for fashion shows, or do both. In photography, height is not as critical if the face is captivating and the attitude comes through the lens. However, for fashion shows, certain height standards must be met, female models should be at least 1.60 m and male models at least 1.70 m in Moroccan fashion shows.

2. Models should avoid plastic surgery, botox, and fillers aimed at achieving specific beauty standards. Skincare is essential, and a natural, no-makeup look is required during castings. Models must prioritize their health and natural well-being as symbols of freshness.

3. Professional etiquette is vital for models. They are there to showcase a product, whether it's a cream or a dress, and should not interfere with the stylist or artistic director's work. Models should not offer opinions on how to present the product or how to manage hair and makeup, nor should they approach photographers or videographers to request photos.

4. Models should have an agent or belong to an agency that can manage job opportunities and negotiate contracts. Alternatively, models can negotiate on their own by discussing every detail with the individual or company interested in hiring them, as pre-production is the only time they can express their preferences before signing a deal.

5. A model's CV is their portfolio. The first investment for a model should be in their portfolio, a book created by professional photographers, preferably well-known in the fashion circle. A strong portfolio should include diverse visuals from various photoshoots, two makeup-free pictures (one close-up and one full body), and three pictures in traditional attire. Having three photos for each context will significantly enhance a model's chances of being hired.