Have you ever flicked through your ELLE magazine and wondered how a model bagged a glamorous campaign? Or perhaps taken a couple of minutes (/hours) to shamelessly stalk Cara Delevingne on Instagram, only to find yourself questioning just how she became so cool?
Well, fear not, future supermodels, as ELLE has the answers direct from director of scouting at Premier Model Management, Anthony Gordon whose team, as of tomorrow, will be at Benicassim on the lookout for raw new talent along with Premier founder Carole White.
Herein we reveal all the hidden secrets on what it takes to shine, how to spot the difference between a genuine and fake scout, and the best places to visit to (un)intentionally be noticed
How do I know that a scout is genuine?
A genuine scout should be affiliated with an established modelling agency. They should have a business card with an address, phone number and an e-mail contact on it. They should have an online presence so you can do research on them.
Are there any warning signs to look out for that may suggest they're fake?
Yes. Anyone who asks for money upfront will not be a professional scout. Also, never go anywhere with someone who has approached you. Always do some research on them before going in for a meeting.
What kind of questions should you ask the scout?
It would be good to ask a scout which other models they have discovered, and perhaps what type of model they think you could be.
What are scouts looking for?
Scouts are looking for physical requirements like height (between 5'8"- 5'11" for girls, and 6'-6'2" for guys), age (14-21) and healthy skin and hair, but a good scout also looks for someone who stands out from the crowd. This could be an unusual face, a charismatic personality, or something that inspires other people to want to be around them. Those people are more than models. They are muses.
What can I be done to improve the chances of being scouted?
There are always scouts at music festivals, shopping malls and especially Topshop! Another way is to submit your photos to an agency online.
What happens next?
After you are scouted, you will be invited into an agency for a meeting. Photos will be taken of you, and then your agent will formulate a career plan. Then get ready for some hard, but exciting work.
