How to become a professional model —Meg Alabi

Meg Alabi, the Chief Executive Officer, Alabi Couture and April 28 Productions, is a former model, fashion designer, event producer, chaperon and catwalk instructor. In this piece, she shares tips with WWW on how to become a professional model.

There are different aspects of modelling but I will focus on the runway models. By these I mean those who do catwalk especially at fashion shows. Anyone who wants to go into professional modelling whether a male or female should know whether he or she has the criteria of being a model. The first criterion is that the person must be tall. For a lady she must be at least 5.9 while the guy must be 5.10 or 5.11 upward. You must also be slim and have a flawless skin.

Though nowadays we have models who are plus size; they are from size              12 upward. These models are bigger than the regular models. This set of people can also be on the runway.

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It is important to note that apart from having the physical attribute you have to go through proper training. You need to get a modelling agency to train you.  It is better to be trained by someone who is well versed in the international and local catwalk techniques to really groom you in the theoretical and practical aspect of modelling. Every training you go through as a model also helps you as a woman.

You need to know the importance of the work you are doing, how to relate with the people in the fashion industry; designers, make-up artists, photographers and so on. A model should know how to catwalk and she should be flexible. This is because a designer can tell you she doesn’t want you to catwalk but to dance on the runway. You should be able work with whatever the designer wants. So, a model should also know how to dance, you should have rhythm. You should also have poise and carriage if you want to excel as a model.

Also, a model must learn to add one or two of her own to the training she had. By that I mean add your swagger to it. As a model know the etiquette of modelling. For instance, a lot of models when they go for fittings, after trying on the clothes they use their phones to take pictures and post them on social media. They also do this when they backstage. This is wrong. Models should know that going on the runway is not about them. They are selling what they are wearing. So they should be professional about it.  Fashion show is not a time you should be posting your personal pictures on social media.

A designer can decide to have a fashion shoot of her new collection and call models to model the collection for her with the intention of using it in a magazine but during the photo shoot, the model can decide to take pictures of herself with the clothes on and post it on social media. That is very unprofessional because what you have done is that you have leaked the picture of the new design to the public.

Also, some times when we have fashion shows, some models will be on their phones and you have to run after them, shout on them and ask them to comport themselves, all these are so unprofessional. When you are working for a designer, your time and services are being paid for and you should be able to behave in a professional manner, drop your phone and pay attention to the designer who will be dishing out instructions to you. Your rehearsal time is important so dont take it lightly. If you don’t rehearse properly and you get on the runway and do something else, that is wrong. At the end of the show, some models remove their clothes and they will be stepping on them that is so unprofessional. These are items, designers invested time and money on hence the need for you to handle them with care. Help the designers to fold and pack the clothes properly.

Models should also walk out regularly. You should be able to know if you are adding weight or not. Watch what you eat. You don’t have to eat everything you see. As a model, you are making money from your physical appearance so it is important you watch what you eat.

Also, a model should invest in her wardrobe. Get a good pair of shoes that can complement the dress you are wearing. Don’t always expect the designers to be the one to give you shoes to wear.  As a model, you should always represent who you are at all times. Don’t look good only when you are working. Any time you go out, people should be able to say that she is a model because of the way you dress and carry yourself.

People still walk up to me today and ask me if I am a model. Modelling is an inbuilt thing. You should be conscious of the way you carry yourself. I believe once a model forever a model.