Jump to content

[GUIDE] The Ultimate Guide to Model Roleplay


Recommended Posts

The Ultimate Guide to Model Roleplay

A guide by @Shaderz

 

friMum3.jpg

 

 

Part 1. Introduction & Purpose

 

Preamble:

  • This guide is the result of intensive exploratory research done with the intent to gain a deeper insight into the world of modeling combined with experience obtained through roleplaying in this particular field of roleplay for years.
  • It is recurrent to see players portraying self-entitled model characters, but very few of them are able to do so accurately. As such, this guide aims to:
    • Cultivate knowledge on the fundamentals of modeling;
    • Promote familiarity with the meat and potatoes of the fashion industry from a model perspective;
    • Aid in the percipience and understanding of how a model character should be realistically portrayed.
  • The guide does not serve the purpose to dictate how individuals must roleplay their model characters, but rather effectively provide useful information that community members may incorporate in their daily roleplaying activities should their characters be or aim to become models.
  • The content in this thread is not definitive and may be subject to change at any point in time.   

 

Index:

  1. Getting Started
  2. Modelling Types
  3. Becoming a Model — Why?
  4. Physical Requirements
  5. Hobbies
  6. Side Jobs
  7. Struggles & Challenges

 

 

Part 2. Getting Started & Fundamentals of Modeling & Fashion

 

1. Getting Started:

The early career in the fashion industry can be very overwhelming and extremely complicated to get into. Modeling opportunities can be hard to come by due to how competitive the market is, so aspiring models usually need to be very methodical and meticulous when getting out there. Even though having a pretty face drastically ups their chances of success, other skills such as networking and marketing are paramount when they are just getting started. Little happens if upcoming models lack the connections to put their names out there.

 

  • Nowadays, starting online and expanding out is the most preferred and arguably the easiest method for models to kick-start their career and build their network, as opposed to having in-person connections alone. Creating digital presence, which is usually done by creating social media posts, sharing fashion-related news, writing blogs, etcetera. to a broad array of people helps them stand out more easily, make a name for themselves, become their own brand and gain recognition and influence. The goal here is to eventually make it easier for them to transfer their presence to a more interactive one in-person. 
  • Marketing can be a challenging process as well. Having a great portfolio is crucial, as it allows models to showcase their talent and acts as a resume in the fashion industry. Therefore, when applying to a job in an agency, on top of good and high-quality photographs in miscellaneous poses, models need to make sure to include relevant information about themselves, such as height, weight and size, as well as be able to show their toned physique (men). Choosing their market and concentrating efforts to meet its requirements means they will more than likely deliver what’s expected of them, therefore this is equally important so models can spend their limited resources of time and money within where they will market themselves.

 


 

2. Modeling Types:

Modeling lends itself in a way that allows models to explore their talents in a variety of ways, so it is important to remain open-minded and become more well-versed with the different types of modeling. 

 

  • Fashion Modeling: Done primarily to promote clothing and accessories, and is mostly undertaken by high fashion agencies. The hiring process for this type of modeling is very strict and selective, and models must abide by specific physical requirements. Fashion modeling can be done in multiple ways:
    • Runway modeling: occurs during a fashion show where models walk on a runway in order to attract potential buyers.
    • Catalog modeling: happens when models are hired to showcase an agency’s products or clothing in a publication.
    • Editorial modeling: takes place when a fashion designer hires models to showcase a style or trend.
  • Commercial Modeling: Generally done to advertise products, services or companies. Examples of this type of modeling happen when models display a certain lifestyle, a business theme, a specific location such as a beach or a resort where they usually wear bikinis or swimwear, or glamour when the mood is more mature in nature, clothing can be revealing and there’s usually a playful sexual overtone. Requirements for this type of modeling are less strict than fashion modeling and embrace diversity according to the character being portrayed by the model.
  • Promotional Modeling: Designed to attract consumers and drive them to a service or product. Models who do this type of modeling are sometimes referred to as ‘spokesmodels’. This type of modeling differs from commercial modeling in the sense that models generally need not only to present good looks, but they need to be an outgoing and persuasive person as well, as they need to engage and interact directly with potential buyers. Modeling of this sort usually happens when a model is hired to hand out samples of a product or service at a mall, or when a company hires one to appear on behalf of them at an event.

 

There are more types of modeling, such as nude modeling (i.e. posing nude for artistic purposes — it is important to understand this type of modeling is not pornographic in nature, but rather sexual in theme and artistic), however the three aforementioned ones are the most common and prevalent ones in the fashion industry. It is important to keep in mind that they are not restricted to one type of modeling only, and although plenty of modeling agencies demand exclusivity, some models go back and forth between them. 

 


 

3. Becoming a model — Why?

Modeling has become a global phenomenon that hits many countries and their diversified cultures. It represents individualism and helps defining, analyzing, and communicating a set of concepts that plenty of people seek to immerse themselves into. It’s considered an exciting environment and opens plenty of doors for creativity and artistic self-expression so it’s no wonder that people aspire to be models. 

 

But why do they really become models? There’s no universally correct answer for this question. People come from contrasting backgrounds and are driven by many different factors. What’s important to assimilate here is that there’s no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ reason to become a model. It’s a personal decision in most cases, so reasons may greatly vary from one another. Yet, a list of common reasons has been compiled below so as to give you a general idea as to what drives people to pursue this career path:

 

  1. People consider themselves too beautiful. Some (narcissistic) people have a fixation on attractiveness, a need for continual admiration from others, feel unique and superior to others and like that other people feel jealous of them. Although not all models feel this way, what drives some models into the modeling industry is how they basically wish to become exhibits.
  2. Modeling is a passion for them. Passion is what keeps people moving, and some models genuinely feel enthusiastic and excited about modeling. For some, it’s even been a passion since they were children. Therefore, it’s no wonder some models do this because they love it to heart.
  3. They desire to be famous and successful. This has two ways of looking at it — some people want to become models simply to inflate their own ego, whereas other people may want to use their fame to genuinely help others by being a role model to them. However, for the most part, people want to be famous as they often seek external validation and attention. It gives them power, status, and wealth.
  4. Some people are simply hurled into it. As previously mentioned, people come from all sorts of backgrounds. Perhaps one of their family members was a model once, or worked within the fashion industry, or maybe it just incidentally happened. It’s undeniable some people are either dragged into the modeling world by third parties or they’re destined to become models. Either way, this happens more regularly than people think.
  5. Wealth drives them. Money gives people more autonomy and control over their own life. Although working in the modeling world isn’t always regular and models face many challenges when they’re starting out, some people ultimately channel through it to become financially stable.
  6. Started as a hobby but developed into a profession. This happens when people are happy with their current careers, but want to try their hand on modeling and do it on the side. It just so happens sometimes that they developed a passion for it, so they make it their full-time job. 

 

As previously mentioned, more reasons could be added to the list. Perhaps they want to become an actor/actress and modeling opens a lot of doors for them to become one, or maybe some people only have beauty but possess no brain so modeling is a viable choice for them. The point here is, your character shouldn’t have no purpose if they want to get into the modeling world, but rather be motivated by something that makes them truly want to take on this job.

 

 

Part 3. Drafting Up & Developing a Model Character

 

4. Physical Requirements:

There’s this misconception that circulates between uneducated mouths which is as long as someone looks good, they’re fit for the modeling industry. This couldn’t be further from the truth. There are plenty of good-looking people out there but in order to become a model, they need something that sets them apart from the rest of the industry. They need something unique about them, whether it’s how they look or how they’re built. This could be the way they smile and their dimples look when they do so, something about the shape of their jawline, nose or chin that adds a certain dimension to their face, or something as natural as a beauty mark.

 

For them to look good and particularly distinctive, models tend to be very meticulous about their care routines. Skin should be well looked after to avoid too much editing in photos, and appear clean and glowy. Most models invest in good skin products and are very familiar with them, namely moisturizers and cleansers. Hair care doesn’t come behind, it must be well trimmed for men with no roots showing, and beards are acceptable as long as they’re not messy and allow people to still see the shape of their face. For females, it should look glossy and shiny, and products such as hair masks and lotions are used very commonly to maintain them healthy. Last but not least, eating healthy foods and working out regularly ensures that models look after their physique and look as young as possible.

 

The requirements to be a model are mostly physical, and although the expectations in the modeling industry feel like they’re constantly shifting, requirements remain constant. It’s not uncommon to see more curvaceous models, as well as a more diverse range of models, grace the fashion modeling industry these days, but for the most part, the stereotype of dangerously thin models (women) and sporty figures (men) still hasn’t been broken.

 

  • In high fashion modeling, tall, slim and beautiful women are usually picked. Height is typically between 5'8" and 5'11" and weight between 90 lbs and 120 lbs. 34"-24"-34" bust, waist and hip measurements are preferred, although these can deviate a little bit. Above measurements would classify models as plus-size though. Men are usually taller than women, and should ideally stand between 5'11" and 6'3" and weigh between 120 lbs and 170 lbs. Their waist should ideally measure 29"-32" and their chest 39"-40". Toned, slim physiques are preferred. 
  • When it comes to commercial modeling, "absolute ideal measures" are not required anymore and figures can deviate substantially. Models still need to be relatively tall — although not to supermodel standards. A more accessible and natural look, as well as a beautiful smile and a slender/sporty figure is usually preferred, but it depends on the target audience. Commercial brands will pick models who reflect on their customers, therefore plus-size and petite models are equally qualified for this type of modeling.
    • An example to better understand this is how sophisticated, high-street brands such as Zara or Next usually opt for slightly older, ladylike women, but other brands such as New Look are more inclined to choose a more girl-next-door type of model. 
  • For promotional modeling, being outgoing, friendly, and having an excellent understanding of the product they are advertising is far more important than looks because they may be required to talk about the product or answer questions from potential buyers. Physical requirements won’t be strictly enforced here, although models may need to look decently attractive.

 

These requirements are strictly enforced for the most part, which helps explain why fashion models are usually paid more, because they also have to work the most to meet these requirements. Some agencies are more lenient in these requirements, meaning it’s not uncommon to see models not meeting them, and still walking the runway or making it to a fashion magazine’s cover. Ultimately, it all comes down to the agency or brand.

 


 

5. Hobbies:

Modeling is a very multifaceted career which means a whole assortment of skills are required to be great at it. As such, models tend to explore a variety of hobbies not only to have fun, but to develop their confidence and worldly knowledge.

 

  • Photography. This should be self-explanatory, but models take an interest in photography quite easily because after all, they’re the ones who stand before cameras all the time. Understanding photography basics for models is crucial to get more involved in the whole process, and also helps them perform much better because once asked what to do, they’ll work better together with the photographer rather than against them.
  • Reading. This one should also be self-explanatory, but most models enjoy reading, especially fashion magazines and blogs that help them stay informed and up to date with the latest fashion news and trends. Reading these also encourages them to try out new poses and looks, and gives them an even better understanding of how the fashion industry works, along with the history of it as well as where it’s potentially headed in the future.
  • Yoga. This hobby helps models tremendously to keep their physical fitness and mental sanity. Yoga is an extremely effective way to relax and find internal peace which is rare to have in such a stressful job like modeling, so it is very common for models to practice yoga during their free time. Another reason for them to do yoga is that it improves their flexibility and posture which ultimately helps them strike better poses on and off camera and give them an overall more modelesque look.
  • Water Activities. Water sports for the most part help models unwind from their daily stressful lives, contributing to finding their peace, much like yoga. It also aids in their physical wellness and boosts their flexibility. It’s not uncommon to see models practice poses underwater. These activities can range from swimming to surfing and wakeboarding. 
  • Dancing & Acting: These two hobbies are arguably the ones that boost a model’s self-confidence the most. It’s not rare to see models taking dancing and acting classes to help improve their performance in front of a crowd and lose their fear of them. Once models get good at either of the two (or even the two), doing a public photoshoot or striding down the runway becomes a lot easier for them.

 

There are a plethora of other hobbies and daily activities that models enjoy doing. They may not necessarily be any of the above, nor are they limited to them. Some models find happiness in the kitchen, whereas others like to go horse riding, for example. The point here is that they often not only do them to help themselves become better at their jobs, but because they’re usually very adventurous and ambitious people by nature. They are by far not the lazy type, and often challenge themselves both mentally and physically to achieve personal goals. 

 

Therefore, think about that when selecting what kind of hobbies your model character enjoys doing. While it’s common to see models frequenting parties, visiting nightclubs every single night is something they definitely don’t do. This is in part because they’re public figures, and nightclubs are a place where it’s easy to get intoxicated, meaning their image and reputation could be easily ruined if they’re caught slacking off and messing up in public, and it can also get in the wrong way of their physical attributes.

 


 

6. Side Jobs:

Believe it or not, even models have side hustles — particularly aspiring models or models who are just getting started and whose income isn’t the best, but well-established, experienced models too on rare occasions. These side jobs should never get in the way of their modeling aspirations, but that’s easier said than done. Modeling is kept as a priority and side gigs come as schedule allows. Below is a list of potential side jobs that would be realistic to have on your model character:

 

  • Fitness Instructor. This one is the most common one. Because they frequently work out themselves to stay in shape, this side job allows them to provide exercise routines and weight loss programs to individuals, and help them to reach their goals, thus sharing their expertise with others. 
  • Makeup Artist. Some models are particularly passionate about the makeup side of modeling, so it’s no wonder that they often look to explore venues in that field. By working independently, models who are also makeup artists on the side get to choose when, where and with whom they work, meaning this is a pretty flexible part-time job for them.
  • Photographer. Because they work very closely with photographers on the daily, it comes as no surprise that they take photographing gigs on the side, usually to help aspiring models work their way through the early stages of the modeling business, or simply as a hobby that slowly turned into a part-time job as opportunities came by.
  • Blogger/Freelance Writer. Some models love sharing the world they live in with others, or they like to write articles about their thoughts and feelings on the fashion industry and the experiences they’ve been through. This is most definitely something that starts off as a hobby and slowly develops into a part-time job the more they evolve as a writer and get more exposure.

 

It is important to point out that modeling isn’t always a full-time job. It’s not uncommon to see modeling being treated as a side gig, and in a lot of these cases it’s by people who work in completely different areas. There are plenty of cases out there of police officers, firefighters, and even doctors doing modeling gigs on the side here and there. They do it out of pleasure, and not necessarily because they are financially rewarding. 

  • NOTE: Although these people take on these modeling opportunities as side jobs, it is extremely rare for them to make the full transition and become full-time models. As well, while it’s realistic to an extent for either police officers, firefighters or even doctors to take modeling gigs on the side, going from model to any of these jobs is unrealistic and shouldn’t happen to your character.

 

Much like the hobbies list, more side jobs could be included here. The most important thing here is that these side jobs are almost always directly linked with what they do as part of their full-time modeling career. There are very few cases of models having a completely modeling-unrelated job on the side, but this usually requires going through intensive education that would realistically last years which the vast majority of models simply find no reason to go through.

  • By modeling-unrelated, jobs such as bartender, cashier, truck drivers and alike do not fall under it. This is primarily because it doesn’t make sense for them from an economical point of view to undertake any of these jobs, as they’re often underpaid in comparison to modeling, and loving them doesn’t seem ultimately worth enough either.

 


 

7. Struggles & Challenges:

Contrary to popular belief, modeling is not a glorious industry to be in, at all. All the glamour, photoshoot sessions and magazine covers are a reality that hides a lot of physical and mental suffering behind. Models all share similar challenges and struggles that they take on daily, and this part of the guide intends to cover them.

 

Models in general, but in particular upcoming ones who are still setting their career in motion, often struggle to have a stable income. Being a model is prohibitively expensive and the credit goes in the vast majority to commissions and double-dipping practices of agencies which are the bread and butter of the modeling industry, followed by taxes and expenses on top of them that can make a model’s paychecks shrink significantly, so there’s never any guarantee that models get paid fairly and in a timely manner. For models who are getting started, they’re often required to pay for their own photoshoots in order to get on the gram, and there’s never full certainty that the investment made is going to pay off. All of this has the potential to create tremendous financial instability, and it is not unheard of from models who find themselves in crippling debt that subsequently snowballs into further serious health-related conditions. 

  • This means your assets should be roleplayed accordingly. If you’re a young model with little to no work experience and you’re just getting started, you shouldn’t be driving sports cars, live in swanky houses or bet high amounts of money in a casino simply because the number on the right top corner of your screen allows you to. In fact, it’s not rare to see these models money-begging around, but they’re often very subtle about it. As such, while not every single brand new model faces this issue, roleplaying some sort of financial instability is indicated for proper character portrayal.

 

Models often experience battles against anxiety and stress that sometimes affect the way they go on about their days, as well as their ability to function in work and relationships. These high levels of anxiety and stress usually come from the constant pressure that is put on them to perform well and be able to keep up to industry standards, and a simple mistake such as stumbling on a catwalk or missing out on weight requirements for a gig because they failed to upkeep their diet routine can dictate the end of their careers. Therapy, exercising, meditation and medication are what most models who undergo this excessive baggage do to cope with the daily challenges that their jobs pose to them.

  • Stress and anxiety can be hard to roleplay realistically, and while models cope with it in many different ways, some may end up in the dark end as a result of it. As mentioned, models undergo different activities to cope with it, but they aren’t always effective. Therefore, while not mandatory, it is indicated that some sort of depression, general unhappiness, loneliness, moodiness, or anger is roleplayed if you decide to take on this path for your character. Stress often causes medical symptoms too, such as low energy, headaches, insomnia, tense/painful muscles, loss of appetite and even sexual desire. When this happens, they can either seek psychological or medical help, or carry on with their life and let it build up which may result in even more serious issues, such as the one below.

 

Substance abuse is a great deal within the fashion industry for some models to help conforming to peer pressure and money-related concerns or even to help enhance their performance. This is also a reality that is often overlooked, and it is not unheard of of cases where reputable models are caught and photographed snorting cocaine or other drugs in public. Although most models who take drugs are aware that they are not living a healthy lifestyle, they also feel like they have no other choice but to do them over and over again because that’s the way they found to cope with the challenges their jobs regularly bring upon them. It slowly develops into a mental illness and has the potential to snowball into a plethora of other conditions, one of them being eating disorders where instead of eating, models resort to doing drugs to help them lose weight and meet physical requirements.

  • Models do not necessarily seek out drugs, but instead they come to them. This means it’s not the most realistic thing to drive to low-income neighborhoods where drug dealing is recurrent and buy drugs from complete strangers. They never put themselves at such risk. Models either hire someone to go get them, or they “wait” until they’re at a party or a get-together and it just so coincidentally happens that someone is there dealing them. When this happens, establishing contacts happens often so the dealing of drugs can continue happening. As for eating disorders, it is indicated that symptoms such as fatigue, abdominal issues, weight loss and thinness are roleplayed. These eating disorders can often end up in models becoming anorexic, which is a very serious condition that deteriorates someone’s health and can lead to death in the most extreme cases. 

 

Drama, believe it or not, follows models around every corner. Because the nature of their job involves using their bodies and looks to create art, it is not uncommon to see models getting bombarded with snidey remarks and pervy comments, whether it is on social media or in-person, going as far as being labeled as prostitutes in extreme cases. Not just that, but family members or love partners of these models may sometimes not understand the art of exposing their bodies or wearing more revealing clothes for modeling content which can result in personal conflicts flaring up and getting in the way of their jobs. These clashes can sometimes lead to additional stress that may become unbearable for some models.

  • Drama can cause people to become very conflictual. Because it often drains them and involves a great deal of emotional pain, people hate it. While people deal with drama very differently, it is not common for models who are dramatically scrutinized all the time to overreact and make small issues into major crises, because that’s the way they often find to protect themselves. Think about how drama impacts your character, and how it can lead to other conditions such as stress.

 

The modeling industry is generally very cutthroat, and other struggles could be included here such as how models face intermittent issues regarding sexual harassment, the incompatibility with their diets and how they’re often subjected to work under precarious conditions. These are all very valid issues too, but the point is that models don’t live lavish lives and an accurate portrayal of their struggles is imperative for character development purposes.

Edited by Shaderz
  • Upvote 8
  • Thanks 2
  • Applaud 1
Link to comment

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

 


 

Q: Are there any fashion factions or businesses that practice modeling out there on the server?

 

A: Yes! As of right now there are two main factions/businesses that are well-established fashion/modeling agencies, or have consistently dived into the modeling industry without necessarily being modeling agencies themselves. Those are as follows:

  • Prestige Global Network is a high fashion agency established well over a year ago on the server. They host fashion shows, photoshoot events and release a monthly magazine, inspired by Vogue. Prestige Global Network is a prime example of an agency whose requirements to join are very strict and selective based on the type of modeling that they promote, which according to the above mentioned types of modeling is fashion modeling. Lately, Prestige Global Network has also dived into the world of commercial modeling, especially after the launch of their Sessanta Nove clothing brand.
  • Hawaiian Snow is the name of a clothing brand and store that's ran by two IC fashion designers. Even though they're not to be technically considered a modeling agency, the business has their own roster of models, making them sort of fall under the commercial modeling branch of modeling types. Hawaiian Snow has their modded clothing designs for sale across all scripted clothes stores on the map, as well as their very own physical store. On top of that, Hawaiian Snow also has their own website which players may access to order their clothes in order to be later used for Menyoo purposes.

 

Q: Do I need to be good at Menyoo in order to roleplay a model character?

 

A: No. Players are perfectly capable of successfully portraying and developing a model character without depending on Menyoo. There have been several players who have managed to roleplay models on the server and have never gained expertise on Menyoo. To put it into perspective, Prestige Global Network, which is arguably the biggest high-fashion modeling agency on the server at the moment in terms of its reputation and activity, has over 30 active members, but not even a third of them is capable of using Menyoo. It is undeniable Menyoo is a great tool to produce high-quality character images, and it can considerably improve your chances of possessing a rich portfolio, but it means nothing if quality roleplay isn't knocked together in-game.

 

It is also wrong to assume just because some characters actively post high-quality pictures on social platforms, that they're automatically models. These characters for the most part have objectively nothing about them that makes them a model other than good looks as per IC standards. In short, roleplaying a model character doesn't mandatorily require Menyoo skills, but it can be useful.

 

 


 

This section will be updated as more questions are raised.

Edited by Shaderz
  • Applaud 2
Link to comment

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...