Becoming a commercial model starts with realising three key points.

1. Desire. No one is going to force you to become a model. You must want to be one, and to be involved in our client’s assignments to help them make a real difference. Commercial models shouldn’t register with us without being fully committed.
2. Confidence. Modelling can undoubtedly increase self-esteem, but models should have some confidence before thinking about joining any modelling employment agency. Models need to be comfortable around strangers and be able to take directions from professionals involved in the shoot.
3. Being realistic. By assessing the industry, improving your portfolio and knowing that success isn’t always instant, you’ll be more grounded and have more realistic aspirations.

All these characteristics apply to models of any gender and age (pets and babies excepted, of course), and all females should bear these points in mind.

But there are some pointers that we – the UK’s largest and most trusted commercial modelling employment agency – can offer females to help them stand out from the rest of the modelling pack. Read on…

First things first. Read our website and study our insightful blogs. For more blogs about the jobs our models have embarked on, please click here.

If it sounds like the sort of job you’d like to be involved in, we are only one application away. By applying with us, you’re giving yourself the best chance to be seen by our clients – who make the final decision.

Once you’ve registered with us, you need to focus on your Models Direct portfolio. This is personal to you, and only you have the power to alter personal information and the crucial photos of yourself. When your looks are perfect for any of the hundreds of available jobs we have, we’ll put you forward to our clients who can then peruse a model’s portfolio to see what models can offer. You’ll be at a severe disadvantage by leaving your portfolio untouched for months – we strongly recommended uploading fresh photos every few weeks.

So, you’ve done your research, and then applied with us. Female models should then keep up to date with modelling trends, and to keep looking at our jobs board. Models should not rest on their laurels, and they must keep evolving their looks via portfolios.

Female models look stunning in reels on social media. Don’t be shy at promoting yourselves. Show off new clothes and new hairstyles. Modelling is a two-way process. We’ll do our best to recommend you to our clients, but models need to put in their own work in the form of self-promotion. Don’t be big-headed, but do be brave and self-assured.

Be aware that there are different types of models. You may feel that you could excel as a sports model, or that your glossy hair or fabulous hands and nails are your best feature. Maybe you could rock your curves as a plus size model or be snapped up as a mature model.

There are plenty of opportunities for females of all shapes, sizes and ages. Those opportunities for talented females up and down the UK start off by joining Models Direct.

The fashion industry has been showcasing female models slaying the runway for decades but the age-positivity movement has been representing women of different generations.

As you’ve landed on this page, take our agency Models Direct as a prime example. We’ve been in the booking, recruiting and supplying of models of all ages in the industry for over thirty years.

Can a woman of any age become a model?

We’re happy you asked because the answer is yes!

Absolutely – women of any age can try their hand at modelling. The industry isn’t what it used to be. Yes, you’ll have some industry leaders with one vision and a very rigid programme which is catered to their audience but you’ve got plenty of other spaces that offer flexibility and greater opportunities.

Is there a demand for female models of all ages?

Another great question.

And the answer to this one is, again, yes. A lot of our global icons are on social platforms so are more accessible to follow now.

We’re pretty sure you’re familiar with who some of these younger generation models are:

Adut Akech

Kendall Jenner

Gigi Hadid

Bella Hadid

Kaia Gerber (daughter of Cindy Crawford)

It’s not just the younger females who are the only age group to be drawing attention. Casting directors, photographers and industry professionals are noticing that females in their later years also deserve the spotlight. We’ve selected some of our older generation and legendary female icons here:

Beverly Johnson

Naomi Campbell

Cindy Crawford

Carmen Dell’Orefice

Lauren Hutton

This will give you an idea of the variety of age groups modelling encompasses. It isn’t just fashion modelling either, these models have also worked in catalogue modelling, promotional modelling and commercial modelling.

What we believe

Models Direct’s ethos has circulated embracing everyone regardless of their age, size, gender, ethnicity, and cultural background. We have always wanted to represent a realistic view of people and to create a positive effect on how they are perceived, and we’ll continue to do so. MD has many female modelling success stories.

You can check out our recent three generations of females collaborating with Say It With Diamonds. Grandma, Sandra, daughter, Deborah, and granddaughter, Zuri, all starred in the recent photoshoot – 6/2/2024 – as part of the company’s Mother’s Day 2024 campaign.  

Deborah shared her thoughts with us:

“Our second time shooting with this client and it was honestly just a dream. They not only accommodated us for the Mother’s Day shoot (ages 3, 38 and 70) but they made it the most enjoyable and memorable family experience for 3 generations of the women in our family.

Models Direct were as conscientious and professional as ever ensuring we were not only fully briefed and debriefed but our every need on the day was exceeded.

Zuri (aged 3) has the absolute, best time on the shoots and it was great to see the same photographer she has worked with before and has an excellent rapport with.

Thanks to everyone involved!”

The Roundup

Our UK-based agency was born with the belief that there should be no stigmas attached to anyone. We aim to break down barriers, open up conversations and show the world what people are capable of despite any obstacles they may face.

We’re backing positive beliefs on age, we want to empower women of all ages to embrace where they are in life, their wisdom, knowledge, uniqueness and individuality. Are you ready to embrace your age too? Talk to us or join us here!

This once historically challenged profession had barriers down and closed making it difficult to break the exclusion. But thankfully with time, and dynamically active changes, the stereotypes are dropping, representation is widening and stepping into the spotlight as a female model isn’t as tough as it was. Not convinced? Keep on reading!

Models Direct support diversity and inclusion before it was even widely recognised and talked about. We knew that we wanted to change the narrative and represent the modelling industry in a manner that mirrored the population fairly. This representation ignited our desire and drove our team to ensure we were open for everyone, regardless of age, race, ethnicity, gender identity, body type and personal characteristics and features.

Changing the modelling narrative

Change and empowerment have come from females across the board. Whether that has been through a personal journey of self-love, expression, and reflection, or to voice it across the online hemisphere, we’ve had extraordinary people raise the issue, along with social media influencers and celebs. This push for change has meant we’re here, where we are in 2023. Women of all ages, shapes, sizes and looks are models.

Who is your influencer in life?

Whether you’re a female model or soon-to-be, we thought we’d save space here to celebrate the important people in our lives besides those in the film and music industry and those in the media. If you identify as female, is there a female in your life that influences you, empowers your thoughts and helps you celebrate being a woman? Is there someone that helps make you stand proud of who you are? Let us know who they are because everyone deserves to be celebrated and recognised most of all those who have made a positive long-lasting impact in our life!

You go, girl!

We’ve demonstrated our positive ethos throughout our thirty years of business and we continue to strive to eliminate bias and discrimination in the modelling world. If you’re a female model and want representation with Models Direct, get in touch with our team and see how we get work, who we collaborate with and which brands and companies approach us for models. You can also subscribe to our social media platforms and our blogs which are updated weekly, to find out more and see where our female models have been booked and what assignments they’ve been up to.

We weren’t prepared for the turbulent rollercoaster ride and staying indoors meant that we settled with comfy loungewear and nightwear. This meant that our summer wardrobe was not utilised to its maximum potential. We are now ready to welcome summer with more than just our PJs and oversized tops. 

Models Direct have been looking through the latest fashion trends for this season. We have noticed that there are many themes currently trending but with so many great looks popping up, we went with those that would suit our models especially for castings, first time assignment ideas and photoshoots.

If you are looking for some summer style inspiration, our trusty modelling agency has compiled a collection of fashion trends for you to gain some ideas from.

Don’t worry if you feel a little out of touch, we’re here to help! 

1. Rainbow brights

Go bold by packing a punch with bright pop colours to create an optimistic impact on your style this summer. We have seen it on the runway with fashion giants, Stella McCartney, Fendi and Versace. Look for anything vibrant in your wardrobe and own it. If it’s not clothing then dive into your accessories and see if there is anything bright and beautiful.

2. Monochrome style

This look is an easy one to achieve. Hunt for apparel lying in your closet possibly under a pile of socks hidden in the back. This trend is filtering through this summer’s fashion collection with the likes of Prada and Dolce and Gabbana. So if you want this simplistic look as an idea, grab a button-down white top and a pair of loose black pants with some sneakers or chunky loafers and you’ve nailed it.

3. Sparkle and shine

This season is seeing silver, sequins and metallic pallets work their way through and become this year’s fashion trend. If you want to join in and become a trendsetter, have a look out for Louis Vuitton and Paco Rabanne for extra inspo – anything sparkly and shiny, in case you don’t have the glitter and glam, will do. This fun and eye-catching trend is a perfect way of welcoming this time of year. Create your look and shine.

4. Love your shoes

Shoes play a big role when completing our look. We’ve been checking out the latest trends and seeing that the 70s designs are becoming popular again – clogs, loafers and flatforms. To complete your summer style, grab a pair of 70s inspired shoes and step right into summer.

Fashion campaigns with real people

Moving onto high street fashion retailers, they have constant campaigns running for all the new season’s trends just like the ones we have mentioned above. They tend to use commercial models as opposed to runway models as they are more relatable to the general public and target audience. Get in touch with us if becoming a model floats your boat and you’re ready for something new.

Want to stay in a loop? Keep up to date with all the latest information and news from the Models Direct team by following us on our social media platforms.

In this blog Models Direct suggest some ways you can add structure to your days, find relaxation, calm anxieties, be as productive as possible and ensure you’re getting the self -care time we all need right now…

Check your morning routine

As tempting as lounging around in your pyjamas all day might sound, sticking to a day as close to your usual outside routine may be a helpful start. Begin your day with getting ready and dressed in your casual wear. Sounds simple but it’s really effective. Your attire will help you to stick to a day and night routine. Here are a few more ways to invite a nice little morning routine into your life to drive away any anxious feelings. 

1. The power of a shower

 A great way to kick-start your day (as it would be to unwind too) is to a have wake-me-up shower that will help you feel refreshed and ready for the day. Models who have fast-paced lifestyles will know the importance of starting their day in this way. 

2. Keep a journal 

Take a journey of journaling by jotting down how you feel each day. Also, logging your daily activities and setting goals for each day is a great way of tracking how you are spending time. Going back to basics and using a book dedicated to this is worthwhile. There are plenty of apps too which can be downloaded for free if you don’t have a spare book handy. 

3. Listen to relaxing music 

Sitting back and soaking in some gentle and relaxing music when you get the chance is another great way to say goodbye to any nervous thoughts. Put on your favourite unwind music and let the anxiety float away. 

Now onto your evening routine 

Most of us will either be working from home now; parents of child models will be home educating their little ones or others will be fixing their homes up now that there’s plenty of time to catch up on all those odd jobs. It could be that you’re juggling all three things and more so what better way to end your day by dedicating some well-deserved downtime. Here are some of our suggestions:

1. The warmth of water 

Ending your day off with a bath (or shower) could be a perfect way of distressing and boosting your well-being during the unpredictable time we are living. You can opt for bath or shower oils which contain essential oils such as lavender, rosemary or ginger. They can help wash away any muscle tension and smooth out stress so that you are ready for a good night’s sleep. 

2. Set your little sanctuary up

Make your sleeping quarters an inviting space to be so that you’re able to drop off to sleep speedily. Switch your linen regularly so that the smell of freshness lingers into your dreams. Plumped cushions and pillows, cosy soft blankets and spraying the room with mist, candles scents and fragrances before settling in can help bring about calmness for a sense of well-being. 

3. Soak your feet 

Give your feet a nice soak in lukewarm water. Adding in extra accessories isn’t necessary, you can keep it simple with a few drops of oil (coconut, olive or almond which tend to be existing kitchen oils). Foot models will know how having a soak benefits the skin whilst being a great relaxation technique. 

If you’re thinking about becoming a model, say no more!

Join our modelling agency, Models Direct, to break into the modelling world. What’s great about our agency is, we don’t want a specific look. We call for all types of looks so you needn’t worry if you feel like you don’t fit the (typical supermodel) bill. We love diversity, be it age diversity, size diversity or gender diversity.

Apply online today, send us some snaps and we’ll take it from there – click to apply!

Model Feedback

“Lovely day today at a shoot filming at the Etihad Campus. The day was awesome from start to finish and what a great experience it was. The client made us feel more than welcome and comfortable at all times whilst also being professional at the same time. The models were great and made some friends in the process. Huge thanks to Models Direct for the help in placing me at this shoot, I would highly recommend them. Cant wait to shoot for the next one already!” – Raul

“I felt everything from the start to finish was very impressive how helpful everyone is from the agency to every member of staff at the shoot on the day. I can honestly say I’ve loved every minute of the shoot today and hope to work with more clients and gain more experience in the industry. Today at the shoot was a real success, I thought everyone was very warming and polite and it made it easy. Rather than feeling nervous and worrying what could go wrong, it allowed me to relax and just enjoy the day.” – Jack

“So today we were shooting at Manchester City training ground for a computer video game what an experience, I was kept up-to-date from Models Direct from start to finish, we started the shoot at 9 o’clock and finished for 13:00 the whole crew from photography and make up done a cracking job for getting this together, the rest of the models that come along were a cracking bunch of lads, we had a laugh throughout the day as this made everybody relax. The crew was setting up the lighting so that gave us a chance to have a good kickabout on Manchester City training ground with the other models,the whole day from start to finish was an experience I won’t forget this is definitely something I could get used to, i’m already looking forward to what’s next. Once again a massive thank you from Models Direct.” – Jamie

“It was a great experience and I totally enjoyed myself, especially with the other participants who were nice and friendly. The whole photo shoot was done in a very professional and organised way. The crew made us all feel at ease and were very friendly indeed. What a great day and I look forward to more opportunities in the future.” – Ralph

Client feedback is very important to us at Models Direct, being a Booking Agent isn’t easy, it’s competitive and hard at times, so when when the team receive feedback like this, it makes it all worth while…..

How was your talent booker – friendly, efficient, quick?
Molly was helpful and efficient throughout the whole process, especially considering the short turnaround we required! She even went out of her way to ring us with information she’d spotted that might have been crucial to our booking, after hours (I believe)

How did the assignment go on the day?
The assignment went really well, and we believe we have a great selection of photos for our needs, which include consumer brochures, website imagery, and social media graphics

How did our talent(s) perform – did they do a great job?
Both of the models were extremely professional, and lovely people to work with. They made the day a breeze, and got along with our whole team. We were amazed to find out that it was Koko’s first shoot, as he photographed amazingly, and had no trouble with doing any scenarios we required. Lydia was more than willing to accommodate any of our requests, and I think they’ll both do well in this career!

Are there any changes you would like to see?
I look forward to seeing Koko’s and Lydia’s profiles on the website updated once we are able to send through the images. I think this will really help to showcase their talent and hopefully get them jobs in the future.

Would you use us again, if so, why

We would absolutely use you again in future thanks to the prompt and efficient service provided. We have a second shoot planned for the coming months and will be in touch to arrange some models again.

To book models with Models Direct CLICK HERE