A Fashion Show Coordinator's Tips for Models

Will I ever shut up about The Queen is Dead? Chances are that yes, soon enough I will. This is the last bit of fashion show related stuff that sat in me that I’d like to get out. This one is based on what I observed watching the modelling applications arrive, seeing the brands make their selections, and everything else that happened backstage. We seem to be having a bit of a break with lolita events for now, but this hopefully will make it quite timely for any of you who may be considering applying to model in fashion shows.

Picture by Farrukh from Flickr.com

Pictures, Pictures, Pictures

It should go without saying, but a modelling application is all about pictures. No-one is expecting you to shell out on a photoshoot with a pro nor do you have to submit pictures of yourself in the most OTT lolita coord you can muster. I’ve seen model profiles in normie loungewear be more in demand than some of the ones in frills. There are three key things here: your photos should be clear, appropriate, and representative.

• Clear – keep them evenly lit and in a neutral enough place that the background won’t distract from you, where all of your features (face in the portrait one and body in the full-body one) are visible.
• Appropriate – whatever kind of fashion show this is, make sure that the brands can see from the pictures how you might look in it, i.e. if it’s a runway and you would walk, then send a photo of you standing (and equally, if you use a mobility aid that means you’d be sitting, show what that looks like).
• Representative – ones that show what you really look like: your facial features, your body proportions, any body modifications, usual J-fashion style if you’re choosing that, etc. Again, this doesn’t have to mean e.g. completely no makeup, but if you usually wear something heavy, consider a collage of portrait ones to show both sides. And most importantly, make sure the pictures are recent. It’s not about when you thought you looked the most attractive, but about what you will look like at the fashion show.

Fill the Application Out Properly

Most applications follow the same template: who are you, what are your measurements, do you have any experience etc. But read it properly. You don’t want to be that person who got discredited because they missed out on an important part. Some applications will ask for unexpected details that may be quite key or will require that the photos or measurements be sent in a specific format. Remember that these are rarely bloodbaths. Once the application window opens, you have all of that time to do it. There are no brownie points for being the first one to send it and the order has no impact on the brand selections. Trust me, you’d rather spend the full two weeks doing it right than kicking yourself in the shin later when you realise that you forgot that one crucial piece of information. That could’ve been your ticket to modelling for the main guest – and now it won’t be.

Ask Questions

Trust me – you’re not annoying for asking. I certainly preferred the models ask as many questions as they could think of than stew in their uncertainty and get that anxiety spiral going. Whilst you should of course read all the information that you are sent over carefully, preferably at least twice before you ask anything (chances are that the answers are there), whenever there is anything that you’re unsure of, send that email and ask. It also tells the person in charge of the fashion show that you are engaged and how responsive you are, which may come in useful at a later stage. The same goes for the rehearsal (which you should absolutely never ever skip, rehearsals are mandatory, so be there and be on time!). There is no such thing as a stupid question and in my experience, if you’re thinking it, then there are others who are also thinking it.

Practice with a Stopwatch

The biggest mistake that a model could make is to rush when on stage. Remember every show that you’ve watched and couldn’t get a good look at the clothes because the models walked too fast. You don’t want to be that person when it’s your turn. A model’s primary role is to showcase the clothes, so give the audience and the photographers plenty of time to see it – and if anyone is having to quick change, that extra second of you may be the difference for them to make it on time for their second outfit. I highly suggest practising with a stopwatch in hand even before you’re chosen, to see what ten seconds of real time standing and posing feels like. Time goes faster when you’re nervous, so the more you train your body to remember ten seconds, the easier it will be for muscle memory to kick in on the day. That being said, don’t take that entirely in the opposite direction and don’t hog the stage. Yes, this is also a little moment for you to shine, but fashion shows run on a schedule and all models have specific cues they need to hit. If you create a blockage because you were feeling your oats a little too much, you could make the models behind you even more nervous, create an empty spot in a continuous runway, and maybe even end up in the event organiser’s bad books for knocking the day off schedule. Trust me, ten seconds is enough given that you’ll probably do about three stops for poses, as well as will come back at the end for the final call.

Make the Most of the Rehearsal

Oh, I already mentioned the rehearsal? Well, let me mention it again because it really is that important. This is your only opportunity to try that whole runway before you do it for real. Whilst chances are that you will be doing that in your own clothes, if you’re bringing your own shoes for the fashion show outfit, then try to do the rehearsal in those. Knowing how you feel about any steps, whether the surfaces are slippery, where you might need to hold onto something for balance etc. could save you from an accident when everyone has their cameras out. As the rehearsal is also the first time you will meet your fellow models, make the most of that. Some of them will have done fashion shows before, so can help suggest some poses if you’re struggling or give you tips on managing nerves. I always recommend getting on a first name basis with the person in front of you and the person behind you. If face blindness is an issue for you, then find something that you could memorise, be it a piercing or a tattoo, or even the sound of their voice or accent. Even when models have to do double duty, remembering who is surrounding you will help you remember your place in the running order.

Poses, Poses, Poses

Last but certainly not least – poses are everything in a fashion show. You can’t apply to model and then on the day use the “I don’t know how to pose” excuse because you’ve literally had months to learn a couple (since we’re assuming best case scenario that you’ll be selected). As already mentioned, your fellow models can help, but I will never stop sharing Kal’s guide which covers so many different aspects of a stage fashion show. If it’s a brand that has been in fashion shows before, then totally look these up on YouTube to see what models have done in the past. Certain brands have a very consistent aesthetic and feel, so it will be easy to pick up some tricks from them. And although you won’t really know how the whole outfit feels until you have it on, you can study the pictures and ask the designer questions to establish some key points. Remember that as a model, your job is to showcase the clothes. This means arms out for big sleeves, gentle spreading of skirts with printed dresses, getting a prop to show off pockets (check that over with the designer first), moving your hands towards the key accessories or even holding them up to the audience if it’s something like a bag. Be creative and have fun figuring out the poses. If you manage to create a memorable moment, it will help the designers with selling the garments.


To anyone planning on applying to model – I strongly encourage you to do so. In what I’ve seen, superficial things such as size or general appearance were never a reason for someone to not get picked. In fact, some of those turned out to be very in demand because they put together great applications, providing every bit of information in the way we’d asked of them and with clear photos that showed what they really looked like. And if you’re scared by how much there is to remember – just save this post, along with any instructions you’re sent over. Once you think about what makes sense to happen in a fashion show, you’ll realise that these really are just the basics and it’s not all that scary. You never know, it could be you that creates that memorable moment when the audience can’t help but gasp at the sight of you going down the runway.