How to Prepare for a Plus-Size Modelling Career

Planning well ahead is crucial if you are thinking of pursuing a plus-size modelling career. A good plan of action and tidy preparations can open doors faster than you expect. It will also give you an edge over your competitors.

To aspire to become a career full-bodied model, it’s good to be aware of the fact that the competition is fierce and only those who first work towards it have a greater chance of getting signed by the top modelling agencies.

There are so many beautiful, sexy, as well as proudly fat women out there who can qualify to become models, and you can too. Aspiring to be one? This is your opportunity to become a part of the glamorous world of modelling.

Start by gradually building a resume and creating your ‘attention-grabbing portfolio‘. It is a good thing to have some skills or some experience, no matter how little. Moreover, whatever you may have achieved should form a part of your resume. They will increase your chances of getting to the top fashion cities for modelling placements.

Plan of Action. Start Small and Build Up from There

The good news first. The demand for plus-size models is rising steadily. Today, you will notice that more full-bodied women do a catwalk strut on the runway. And now, fashion designers rightly identify with the silhouette of the average-sized woman and design more fabulous clothes for them.

A good plan of action is to start off small. Be a “big fish in a small pond”. You don’t have to be based in New York, Rome, or Paris. You don’t have to start off by travelling far and wide to the unknown, to start your modelling career. You can start off in a smaller upcoming city and begin to build your portfolio and resume from there. Subsequently, you can make plans to venture out to the big cities.

Fashion shows and events, including most television shows and feature movies, take place in smaller towns and cities. Create a presence there and build a reputation locally. Seemingly ‘small’ jobs will let you learn how the modelling industry works. You will also have the opportunity to get familiar with:

  • Auditioning and acting.
  • Working with agents in the fashion industry.
  • Negotiations.
  • Filming skills.
  • Some aspects of photography.
  • Getting professional head and body photoshoots.
  • Preparing resumes and portfolios.

As a build-up to your plus-size modelling career, you can work with a fashion and style print media house, play minor roles for television, or do small commercials. Jobs like these are good for experience and are added skills that will add credibility to your resume.

The good thing is that while you are learning and building your résumé, you’ll be earning an income as well.

 Learn from Career Plus-Size Models

You can learn from the industry’s professionals. Research and read about them. Their early beginnings, how they chased their dreams, and see how they started off in their career. Follow them on social media sites and on YouTube if they have a channel. Additionally, observe their progress and see how they do whatever it is they do. Notice what they did or are doing to achieve their aspirations.

Research and study are the keywords. Also, practice whatever you are learning and enrol in offline or online classes if the need arises. When you finally get the much-awaited audition for that dream modelling role, you will have acquired some skills and a great understanding of the fashion industry.

A Successful Plus-Size Modelling Career Demands You Be Proud of Your Size

If you are large-bodied and want to be a model, don’t worry about losing weight. You should be more concerned about having a well-toned body. Being plus-size without being flabby is best. If you prefer to lose weight before pursuing a modelling career, there is nothing wrong with that. However, your competition will be bigger and wider.

So, being fat and curvaceous is fine, as long as you are firm, and most importantly, proud of your size. This way, your chances of being a successful model are higher. Being successful in the field demands you be bold, proud, and confident. The reason is that you may be required to model anything from plus-size lingerie and swimwear to casual and occasion wear.

Tips:

  • Be discerning.
  • Avoid getting ripped off by scammers who claim they can fix you up with plus-size model agents.
  • If anyone requests deposits or advance fees, don’t pay. You can almost be certain that they may be scammers.
  • Legitimate modelling agencies or agents should demand payment only when models are offered placements and get paid for the job.
  • A general average of between 15 to 20% of agents’ commission is usually charged on plus-size modelling contracts. This is after you get paid for the job.
  • Agency fees of 10% or thereabouts are charged for television or movie contracts.

Some modelling agencies can legally negotiate deals for you but before you get to that stage, do some homework. First, find out if there are licensed plus-size model agents in your locality. If there are, start off with them. It’s always best to use a legitimately licensed agency if you plan to pursue a modelling career. If you need to find out which ones are licensed and which ones are not, you can check out your local talent agents’ lists.