Just like in regular modelling, the requirements for a male model are quite definitive. Male modelling has begun to match the same acclaim and status as women’s modelling. Since the ’80s, more men are becoming household names for their good looks – David Gandy, Tyson Beckford and Sean O’Pry have paved the way for men to become as successful and well-known as women on the runway.
Do you have the industry requirements to be a male model? Find if you have what it takes with our in-depth guide.
Table of Contents
How Tall Does a Male Model Have to Be?
High fashion modelling has strict guidelines; male models should generally be between 5’11″ and 6’3” in height, their waist should measure 29-32 inches and their chest 39-40 inches. These figures will vary slightly depending on the agency, but scouts will always be on the lookout for toned, slim physiques.
Commercial models are expected to be 5’11” or taller but the niche is not as strict as high fashion.
It is important to remember that the boundaries are constantly changing, so don’t be put off if you don’t match the strict “guidelines” – personality and a unique look will count for more. Fitness/real-life models are very much chosen because of their characteristics, not their height.
If your height is something you are concerned about, please get in touch with us and we will advise you on areas of modelling that you are best suited to.
High fashion models. These are the models who represent designer brands and are most commonly associated with the catwalk.
Commercial/advertising models. These models are used to sell a product or service. High street brands fall under the commercial umbrella.
Catalogue models. These are models who wear branded/high street clothing for store catalogues and website appearances.
Real-life models. These men represent the ‘average’ male and are employed because of their natural looks. Customers can relate to them easily.
Classic models. The older male model. You will see him advertising golf clubs, expensive cars, holidays, retirement packages etc. Classic models are used so an older target audience can relate to them.
Fitness models. These models have a particular definition to their body and are happy to show it off in front of the camera.
How to Become a Male Model
There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to modelling, which means there aren’t a strict set of rules with regards to who is deemed attractive enough to model. There are, however, some things that stand apart from the crowd; great physical health, white teeth, bright eyes and good skin will all help a male model get noticed.
Not every male model needs to be ripped – many guys are employed because of their small frame and lean features. Being tall helps, with male runway models being at least 6′ tall. Commercial models are usually around 5’11 and 6’2 and must fit into a 40R jacket.
Male hand and footmodelsmust have straight fingers and toes, and an even skin tone.
A model must feel confident in their skin. Regardless of gender, a confident model will stand out from the crowd. Personality goes a long way at castings, with brands more often than not wanting their models to represent the company’s ethos and spirit.
Finally, requirements of a male model also include open-mindedness. Men will have to wear make-up during shoots to even the skin tone and cover blemishes. Some models are required to sport elaborate hairstyles, or may even be required to shave their hair off. While it’s important to know your own limitations and feel comfortable saying no when required, a male model must also be open-minded.
Male Model Grooming Tips for Beginners
Skin Care
Successful models have a grooming routine to ensure their skin is in great condition. Skin should be well looked after to avoid too much digital editing in photos. Learn to cleanse your skin morning and night with a suitable cleanser and invest in a moisturiser.
Ensure you wear SPF on your face and neck every day to avoid sun damage. If wearing make-up for a shoot, learn how to properly remove it – your make-up artist will have some great tips, so make sure to ask their advice on the best products to use.
It’s also important to drink plenty of water for healthy, glowing skin. Eating lots of fresh vegetables and fish will also help to keep skin clear.
Hair Care
Hair must be well-kept and neatly trimmed with no roots showing. Messy beards are also out – instead, try to keep facial hair neat so casting directors can still see the shape of your face.
Underwear models may need to think about shaving their chests and pubic hair for certain jobs. It is vital to ALWAYS check the requirements with the brand before a shoot; model Cory Bond says he once lost a job due to shaving his chest before a casting when they wanted body hair.
Physique & Diet
The modelling industry prefers that male models look after their physique. This means eating plenty of healthy food and working out regularly to keep muscles toned.
Getting Started as a Male Model
Some agencies will have specific heights or body types in mind and it’s important to remember that even the top models get turned away from some jobs. Don’t take rejection personally – you are very likely to face it during a career in modelling.
As well as taking care of your physical appearance as a male model, requirements for a male model also include looking after your mental health. This means saying no when you need to, and not letting yourself be treated poorly. Make sure you read contracts thoroughly before signing them, and don’t agree to anything you feel uncomfortable with. Research agencies before you apply to them to ensure you agree with their company ethos.
While the male modelling industry is just as hard to get into as the women’s, it’s not impossible. Stay determined, work hard and be nice to everyone you meet – you never know when someone might be able to get you your big break!
Posted by Melissa Keen
Melissa's experience in the beauty and fashion world as a writer and blogger spans over five years. Her other interests include reading, yoga and music.
High fashion modelling has strict guidelines; male models should generally be between 5'11″ and 6'3” in height, their waist should measure 29-32 inches and their chest 39-40 inches. These figures will vary slightly depending on the agency, but scouts will always be on the lookout for toned, slim physiques.
When it comes to male models, they are typically expected to weigh between 120 and 170 pounds, which is also lower than the healthy weight for men. A man who reaches six feet tall, which is the average height for male models, should weigh somewhere between 160-196.
Becoming a male model can be difficult, as it has many different requirements, competition, and difficulty entering the industry. Male models also tend to work long hours and work in an environment with many vices, which can be difficult for many people. There are many requirements for becoming a male model.
While there is a petite model category in many agencies, high-fashion demands that male models meet a specific measurement. Generally, male models in high fashion must be between 5'11” and 6'3″. Anyone above or below that may struggle to find work as a runway model.
Do male models need to be muscular? Though different projects may call for different body types, the typical male model has a physique that is slim and toned. Clothing that needs to be modeled is not made for the model personally, but rather in a set size.
For both male and female models, sixteen is considered the ideal age. This being said, female models may find themselves more popular than their male counterparts at a younger age. This is because male models are considered to get better with age, and have more success well into their thirties and even forties.
The general consensus is that there is no such thing as "too young" to start modeling. However, the ideal age for both male and female fashion modeling is sixteen. This is because the model is considered a young adult at this stage.
High fashion modelling has strict guidelines; male models should generally be between 5'11″ and 6'3” in height, their waist should measure 29-32 inches and their chest 39-40 inches. These figures will vary slightly depending on the agency, but scouts will always be on the lookout for toned, slim physiques.
Figure out your niche. Take some time to consider your specific look, body type, and skill set to figure out which medium and specialty you're best suited to. ...
For male models, a lot of emphasis is placed on physical changeability, as makeup is not as commonly used with men. This is why a man's facial features are often critical: having high cheekbones and distinctive facial features is key. Your physique should be athletic, but slim, and the minimum height is often 1.80 m.
The average Male Model in the US makes $49,308. Male Models make the most in San Francisco, CA at $73,771, averaging total compensation 50% greater than the US average.
The pay gap also extends to the modeling rank-and-file. Female models make an average of $41,300 annually, which is 148% more than the men, who earn an average of about $28,000, according to data from Payscale.
The top male models have workout routines that are strikingly similar to professional athletes, even though they pose for pictures for a living. Weightlifting and cardio helps them shape their chiseled torsos, while diet helps them lose unwanted lbs before a big show or photo shoot.
Their shaved legs also complement the current trend for ripped jeans. But this style has actually been around for longer — male models have been hairless on the catwalk for decades.
Male models work in many different locations in all weather conditions. Nudity is required for some jobs, such as modeling for students in life-drawing classes and in sculpting classes in an art studio. Models need stamina to look fresh and to stay alert when posing for hours on location.
Shoe size should be between 9 and 12. Models must have smooth, clean skin as well as well-groomed hair and nails. They should be in top physical condition, but tone is more important than muscle.
Height has always been synonymous with stature. A taller stature offers a commanding presence at runway shows, and so this is ideal for designers who want their work to be noticed. Longer legs, a tiny waist and relatively small breasts have become the industry standard for runway models.
The taller the person, the easier they are to see on a catwalk or even while walking through a crowd. They're better at drawing attention from a distance, successfully attracting the audience to themselves and their products. Shorter people, it's believed, are simply more likely to be overlooked.
David Gandy is an English male fashion model who has been working in the fashion industry for more than 21 years. He's known for being part of advertising with Dolce & Gabbana, Hugo Boss and other major fashion houses. He's also been involved in the creative process of a number of ad campaigns, including work with M&S.
Anyone can be a model, no matter how old they are! If you're interested in being a model but worried about getting a gig because of your age - don't worry! Look into the type of modeling you want to do, and work on catering to that style!
It's rare for fashion models to have real success without a very specific look desired by the agency, and if a person older than 21 hasn't already been working in the fashion industry for a few years, it will be very difficult to get signed by an agency and hired for fashion shows.
The typical age is 16-21. Models can be younger than this, but many agencies will require models to be at least 16. Likewise, models can be older but agencies and clients tend to like their models looking younger and more youthful.
Most mature female models we see now are past supermodels who found fame in their youth. It's very uncommon to see a new face older than 30 with no modelling experience whatsoever. In commercial modelling, those over 30 years of age are likely to find more success.
And believe it or not, with demand at an all-time high, becoming an older male model isn't quite as hard as you might think. Of course, we're not saying it's easy, but if you have a genuine interest in becoming one, then these tips will certainly put you on the right track.
“Long hair makes these models stand out. It helps with the kind of attitude we want on the ramp. A lot of times, it depends on the concept, but there's no denying that it adds to the sexy factor,” says designer Dhruv Vaish. From Mun (man buns) to even dreadlocks — these models say, hair is a big part of their career.
You can expect around $100 per hour if you are doing well. Starting model salary may be much lower, even $20 per hour, and you may have to work for free at first to get your portfolio. This type of modeling can be very well-paid, with an average of $200 per hour.
Male fashion models, or what those in the modeling business call "editorial models" are the high fashion models you see in fashion magazines like Men's Vogue, GQ, Details, and Numero.
#1. Kim Kardashian. Kim Kardashian may not be known primarily as a model, but she has walked the runway several times, including The Heart Truth Fashion show in New York City in 2010 and the Balenciaga show during Paris Haute Couture Week in 2022.
As far as common characteristics that are important for anyone looking to get into modeling, height is probably the single most important physical attribute for most models, with 5'7'' generally considered a minimum.
You don't need to be tall to become a model. While most models are typically 5'9" to 6", you can still be signed with an agency even if you fall under this height range. Tall models may dominate the high fashion world, but there are plenty of other opportunities out there.
The average height for a male model is between 5ft 10″ and 6 foot 2 inches, but runway requirements will be a lot stricter than streetwear. In general, agencies and brands prefer toned and slim physiques although imperfections can be a unique selling point and help the model standout from the crowd.
Commonly accepted BMI ranges are underweight: under 18.5 kg/m2, normal weight: 18.5 to 25, overweight: 25 to 30, obese: over 30. In order to classify the people below, we used 2 websites: http://colchide.com for the models' measurements. http://www.smartbmicalculator.com for the models BMI calculation.
How much does a Professional Model make? The average salary for a professional model in the United States is $236,556. Professional model salaries typically range between $89,000 and $624,000 a year. The average hourly rate for professional models is $113.73 per hour.
Many agencies recommend having measurements close to 100-80-100 cm. Weight is less significant for male models, it is more important to have the right proportions and a body fat percentage of around 15 %.
For high fashion, a male model should ideally measure at a minimum of 5'11. Commercial print is less strict and tends to hire men with a more inclusive height of 5'8.
Devon Aoki is one of the shortest high fashion models out there, and has enjoyed a lot of success through her career. In the late 90s, she became the face of Versace and also posed for Chanel, Kenzo, Moschino, Fendi and many more. How tall is she? Just 5'5".
To call a man “petite” is considered emasculating, as the word is associated with femininity and daintiness. So we call them “short” male models. Short male models are generally under 5'10” (177.8 cm).
Shorter men and women don't have to put their modeling dreams on the shelf. While the typical fashion modeling dimensions for women tend to fall between 5'9” and 6 feet, and 5'11” to 6'2” for male fashion models, there are still lots of jobs for shorter models to book.
Introduction: My name is Lidia Grady, I am a thankful, fine, glamorous, lucky, lively, pleasant, shiny person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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