Model (person) Facts for Kids

Fashion model: Abbey Lee shows design by Diana Furstenberg, 2009

Jean Shrimpton in 1965

Actors as models: the cast of The Royals

A model is a person whose job is to pose for art or to show off fashion items. These items can be clothes, jewelry, or other accessories. Models often appear in advertisements on TV, in magazines, newspapers, or online. They help sell products by making them look good.

Who Was the First Fashion Model?
Different Kinds of Models
- What Makes a Supermodel?
Models in Art
How Do Models Find Work?
Images for kids
See also

Who Was the First Fashion Model?

The very first person known to work as a fashion model was Marie Vernet Worth. She was a shopgirl in Paris. In 1852, she became a "house model" for her husband, Charles Worth. He was a famous fashion designer with his own high-fashion business called the House of Worth.

Different Kinds of Models

There are many types of models, and they don't all do the same thing. Some models only use specific parts of their body. For example, a "hand model" uses only their hands. They might show off rings or watches in advertisements.

Fashion models are used to sell clothes or makeup. Clothing designers often hire fashion models to wear their new designs. These models walk on a raised stage called a catwalk or runway. This helps people see the clothes in a special fashion show. Some fancy fashion houses also use models to show dresses directly to their clients. This idea was first used by Charles Worth.

Photographers also use models for different types of pictures. This can include photos for advertisements, magazines, or even personal art projects. Models might pose for news photos, fine art, fashion, or fitness pictures. Sometimes, photographers ask models to show different feelings or moods in their pictures.

Models come in all shapes and sizes, and can be men or women. Not all models are super thin, though many are young women. There are special models for feet, hands, or faces. Some models are called "plus-size" models, meaning they have a larger body build.

What Makes a Supermodel?

A supermodel is a very famous model who earns a lot of money. They are known all over the world. The word "supermodel" became popular in the 1980s.

Supermodels often work for the biggest fashion designers and famous clothing brands. They sign contracts worth millions of dollars. They also promote products and appear in big advertising campaigns. They become so famous that almost everyone knows their name.

Models in Art

Fine art models are hired by artists like photographers, painters, and sculptors. They pose for these artists to help them create their artwork.

Models are often used in art classes to help students learn to draw the human body. Professional artists also hire them. The most common types of art made with models are figure drawings, paintings, sculptures, and photographs. Even though advertising focuses on selling, it often uses models in its artwork.

Throughout history, drawing the human body from life was seen as the best way to learn art. In an art classroom, there are no strict rules about who can be a model. Sometimes, models might pose with props, other models, or even animals. They might be in different settings or lighting.

How Do Models Find Work?

Models usually find work in two main ways:

Through an agency: Models get jobs from a special company called an agency. The agency helps them find work and takes a part of the money they earn.
Working for themselves: Some models are contacted directly by companies, photographers, or others. These models set their own prices for their work.