How to Become a Fashion Model in Paris for Paris Fashion Week.
There are few things more exciting for a model than working in the picturesque and romantic city of Paris, France.
Join Project Casting to access jobs you can apply to right now.
Models are renowned for working with some of the world’s most famous and fashionable fashion houses, including Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, Hermes, Lanvin, and Christian Louboutin. Modeling in Paris is the ideal and greatest destination for all professional models.
Stats for Fashion Models
Paris female models should be 5′ 9″ to 6′ tall with a bust, waist, and hip size of 34-23-33 (5’10-5’10 ½ is even better). Male models must be a minimum of 6′ to 6′ 2″ and wear a 38 to 40 Regular jacket. Each season, designers make their clothing in one size, or what is called a sample size. This means that the designer rather than vice versa creates the model-fitted clothes. With each collection usually having a plentiful amount of items, it’d be impossible for the designer to make every piece fit perfectly for each model.
Age Requirements
In countries like France, the minimum legal age to work any job is 16 years old. However, most top model agencies possess a special license that permits them to employ minors. Even so, these child models have incredibly restricted working hours. Therefore, agencies typically avoid recruiting young talent from other nations.
Learn Style, Class, and Sophistication
Paris is not a market where new models can build their portfolios or gain experience. Before attempting the sophisticated market of Paris, models should have worked in Asian regions such as Tokyo, Singapore, or Taipei. Other excellent markets to try before going to Paris include Germany, Milan, London, and Australia. Once a model has mastered the business basics, they are ready for the ultimate goal: Paris, where they will serve the most glamorous and sophisticated clients.
Employment Status
In Paris, models are hired as employees instead of independent contractors like in other modeling markets. They receive a monthly salary, and the model still gets paid even if the client doesn’t pay.
In France, the government taxes businesses and individuals heavily to fund social programs like unemployment benefits, healthcare, and retirement pensions. This means that models only take home about 33% of their total earnings from each job. For example, if a model books a $1000 job, they will only receive $300 after agency commissions and taxes are deducted.
Not only are taxes and agency commissions high in Paris, but also the costs of living. It can be an expensive place to learn the ropes of modeling. Therefore, models should only travel there if they have a real chance of booking runway, editorial, or high-end advertising work; that’s where the good opportunities and money are. Furthermore, most experienced models go to Paris specifically for the “Collections” season and then leave for greener pastures when it ends.
Arriving in Paris
Don’t expect the agency to pick you up in a limo or meet you at the airport. Paris agencies demand that models have some experience and be professional; thus, they expect them to get from the airport to the agency or apartment independently.
Travel and Accommodation Expenses
However, most modeling agencies will charge the model an advance on their airline ticket and apartment costs to secure the job. Once they begin working, the model will be expected to reimburse this amount. Models should budget for their airfare, housing, food, cabs, and exams ahead of time.
Work Visa Requirements
For models who are citizens of Canada, the United States, and most European countries, no special visa or work papers for France are needed. The agency will have to file government forms for international models, but it won’t affect the model’s ability to work in any way.
Signing to an Agency
Having a manager or “mother agency” is integral to a fashion model’s career in Paris. A mother agent will be knowledgeable of the best agencies that match your look and manage your long-term career goals.
More Project Casting Entertainment News:
HBO Max Renews Issa Rae’s ‘RAP SH!T’ for Season 2
HBO Max Has Officially Renewed Issa Rae’s ‘RAP SH!T’ For A Second Season. Season one followed the misadventures of estranged friends attempting to start a rap g…
Don Cheadle Confirms He’s No Longer Under Marvel Studios Contract
Don Cheadle Has Confirmed That He Is No Longer Under Contract With Marvel Studios. The first actor to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe was Don Cheadle, who to…
How to Make Your Facebook Videos Go Viral: 4 Signals to Get More Views
4 Signals That Make Your Video Go Viral On Facebook Four top signals used by the social media algorithm to determine which videos get an extensive distribution …
