How to become a supermodel

2024 Author: James Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 14:00

Surely, there is no such girl in the world who, even at heart, would not like to have the appearance and figure of a beauty from the cover of a magazine. According to statistics, approximately every third woman dreams of becoming a model. But the length of the legs and the beauty of the face are not the only criteria for success. It is important to be a person, because there is always a demand for a person. In addition, the model should advertise clothes, which means that the product should be put forward in the first place, and only then her appearance. And the demand for types is constantly changing. Do you doubt it? Then let's hear what the professionals have to say.

- Is it true that, despite the fact that the modeling business is based not on the external beauty of girls, the reason for success is internal?

- To a certain extent, this is a balance of external data with the inner world and professional qualities of a person, however, as in many other areas.

Svetlana Kuvshinova, director of the Moscow model agency "Renaissance", tells us.

Svetlana is a clever, beautiful and successful woman who has been faithful to the modeling business for 4 years now and has achieved serious success there. By now, the Renaissance agency has accumulated extensive experience in the Russian fashion market, acquired a number of serious partners abroad, including the world's largest modeling agency working in the field of fashion, film and show business, Ford Models. This year, the modeling agency headed by Svetlana decided to go to another level and won the tender for the "Supermodel of the World" competition.

- Recently there was a report on TV, where the reverse side of modeling life was shown: drugs, escort services … And they write a lot of bad things about the modeling business - mainly about the bad attitude towards models, about the fact that they are used. How not to fall into the clutches of such agencies?

- Almost every business has a shadow side, especially in Russia. But it all depends on the owners of the company and their goals. Someone needs a quick income by any means, and someone develops long-term prospects and cares about the company's reputation.

I agree that they write a lot of bad news, but agree that it is precisely such news that raises the rating and inflames public interest. Aren't there enough good stories in the world of the modeling business ?! It's a little unclear to me who exactly treats models badly ?! A model is an agency employee who fulfills his obligations to the customer. I did a good job - the customers are satisfied, I got an award, I did a bad job (lateness, unprofessional behavior) - a reprimand or a fine. This is a relationship within the company. The attitude of strangers to models - does anyone care?

And stupid people, led by promises of a beautiful life and big money, are often used for their own ends by various scammers, and this applies not only to the modeling business, but to life in general. Do not want to fall into the clutches of such agencies - analyze the market.

- Kate Moss in an interview with the British magazine Time Out admitted: "I left the modeling business because I caught myself thinking that I hate him. I didn't want to tell people that I am a model and do the same thing every day," like in the movie Groundhog Day.

- I wonder why Kate Moss did not mention how much she was able to achieve thanks to the modeling business, how many new acquaintances, fans, and in the end how much she was able to earn !?

- I would like to ask about the mental level of our models. For example, on the STS channel, a contest "YOU ARE SUPERMODEL" was held, the girls-participants had a photo session in St. Petersburg near the "Bronze Horseman", so none of them when asked by the host of the show F. Bondarchuk "to whom is this monument?" did not answer. Neither did he say who the city was named after.

- The profession of "model" is very young, you will not meet a lawyer or a banker at the age of 15-16 ?! Yes, it sometimes happens that many girls postpone higher education due to the heavy workload, but only in order to later receive a more expensive and professional education. And, by the way, many female models are more sociable and versatile than their peers.

- Many parents dream of their children being models. Tell me, what kind of children will they definitely take into this business?

- Children's modeling business is developed in Moscow at the level of theatrical circles. And different types of children are required in advertising.

- How would you describe the current situation in the Russian model market?

- The period of restructuring.

- Do you believe that our modeling business has prospects?

- Yes, I say with confidence - the Russian model business has colossal prospects! Actually, the development of prospects is one of the goals of the SUPERMODEL of RUSSIA competition, which our agency has been preparing for the second year in a row. It seems to me that despite the active interest in Russian models, a certain deficit of qualitatively new models and faces has formed not only in the Russian market, but also abroad. I am sure that the competition will allow both participants and organizers to reach a fundamentally new stage of their development.

- Are Russian female models in demand in the world? What names would you name the most successful?

- Yes, they are in demand. Natalia Vodianova, Evgenia Volodina, Natalia Simanova, Irina Dmitrakova, Inna Zobova …

- How do our girls get settled abroad? Is it okay or do many people still return?

- Basically, they get a job through Russian, Moscow modeling agencies. Everything is different. The main requirements and qualities are ability to work, resistance to stress, the ability to find a common language with a large number of strangers at first. Of course, language skills, of course, a great desire, because even if she was a "star" here, she will start from scratch there.

- How did you come to the modeling business yourself?

- From the age of 15, I already earned my own living on my own - I gave private English lessons to children. After university, I was immediately accepted as an assistant to the head of a travel agency, thanks to which I traveled independently to several countries, saw the world, met people, was interested in life and international business.

Then I accidentally ran into the modeling business in Moscow (my friend worked as a manager in a modeling agency) and I realized that this is still an unfilled niche in the market with great prospects in the future. I am a sociable person, sociable, I constantly need movement, communication, movement, new information, and besides, the specificity of this business is insanely diverse and interesting in itself. Many thanks to my husband, who gave the start-up capital and helped in the beginning of the journey.

Now I am getting a second higher education at the Academy of National Economy under the Government of the Russian Federation, faculty of the Higher School of Corporate Governance, under the program "Euro-management, MBA for executives", I am sure this will help in the development of the agency.

- What difficulties did you have to face?

- There were a lot of difficulties: we needed the right development strategy, clear positioning, the development of an advertising campaign based on market analysis, at first there were no good models when customers approached, then there were no good customers when good models appeared, constant imbalance, and, well, Of course, the staff of the agency, the most difficult thing is to find competent employees.

- Do you have any children? Would you give your daughter to the modeling business?

- There are no kids yet, unfortunately, a lot of work. But if my daughter had prospects - in my opinion, and a desire - on her part, I would not interfere, but gave her the necessary knowledge and advice that would help her navigate correctly in this business.

- Svetlana, don't you finally tell our readers some interesting story from your career.

- I'll tell you about my trip to the international competition SUPERMODEL of THE WORLD 2004. The competition was held in New York on January 20, 2004. Models and their accompanying agents from more than 40 countries gathered in New York. During the day, the contestants were taken to fittings and rehearsals, directors and representatives of agencies walked around the sights of New York, and in the evenings everyone gathered in the best restaurants or clubs in Manhattan, got acquainted, exchanged information and news. It was incredibly interesting to talk with the directors of modeling agencies from all over the world - from Kenya and Ireland, Bulgaria and Kazakhstan, Germany and Canada, Slovenia and Italy, etc., to exchange experience both at work and in organizing national competitions, this is invaluable communication. And the founders of FORD NY agency Eileen and Jerry Ford personally invited me to lunch alone, and then showed me all of Manhattan, of course, because Russia is a very important strategic partner for the American agency.