DD Scouted, what to wear to agency

[NunsOnTheRum]

DD was scouted by a model agency whilst out shopping with her friends. She is in her GCSE year, so not the kind of distraction she needs right now but she is obviously excited. The lady from the model agency took some photos of DD there and then in the shop and asked for my email address. I have since received an email from her asking that we come into town to visit their agency during the half term week and they can take some photos of DD. They said she should just come as she is.

DD is in a bit of a style no-man’s-land right now. She went through a grunge/ hard rock era where everything she wore was lose and dreary. Though she still listens to that music she has started to dress in softer, more form fitting clothes but hasn’t hit on any particular look. The shopping trip was with a new group of girls she is trying to become friends with so I helped her dress, opened up some vac pacs of my old clothes and put her in a pair of 7 for all mankind slim jeans and a leather jacket from the 90s, which was too big.

She has really struggled with friendships and very unsure of where she fits in the world and was not particularly pleased with my clothing suggestions but she ran out of time so went dressed as described.

Since I supplied the clothes for the shopping trip where she was scouted, she now wants me to help dress her for her agency visit. The problem is normally she rejects most of my suggestions and there isn’t much left in the vac pac that is wearable. Any ideas on what I should suggest she wear? I don’t want to put too much thought or money into this, revision needs to be her focus this week. At the same time I want to help her have the best chance of success. Help please

Not a model but have worked in the industry, and seen potentials show up and people for photos, mostly they turn up in jeans, a white, grey or black Tshirt, minimal makeup type thing

My kids model also. As previous posters have said, plain outfit, well fitting jeans and tshirt.

This 100% .My son was ‘scouted’ and we did our research…an absolute scam .Be very careful.

Ex model who is still somewhat involved with the industry/ agencies here.

There's some distinction in what type of agency it is, e.g. international high fashion or more commercial/ diversity focused. The below is more geared towards traditional modelling, e.g. fashion/ beauty

Generally you want to keep it simple and comfortable, so she feels like herself on the day and it brings out her best features.

Something like a white t-shirt or jumper that fits well, jeans, boots, her favourite jacket, could be a winner. Try to avoid loud colours and patterns. If her own natural style isn't partiularly 'stylish', just keep it simple. She's probably fine weaing what she wore.

Couple of pointers:

• if she has a colour that really makes her face/ skin pop, go for that. For example, mine are blush pink and royal blue, and I tend to wear those
• Hair/ face - no overstyling, no blowdry. The 'no makeup makeup' look is best, i.e. look like herself, but amazing, glowing skin etc. The condition of hair and skin will be something they really look at, should be clean and smell nice
• Comfort is super important. If she feels comfortable in her outfit, and confident, that will make for a great day. Modelling is largely based on personality, how easy you are to work with, how you take direction, do you have a good vibe, so being in a good mental space on the day is important, and clothes/ styling that she loves will hugely help with that
• Most importantly... Be yourself, don't overthink it

Reputable agencies do scout. We’ve had this several times. The agencies want the raw material. No make up. If hair is curly let it be curly. Dd wore jeans and a t shirt. They are obsessed with height and first thing they do is measure you. If she’s not 5 9 forget it. But she likely is if scouted. Dd had to dress up in some weird clothes they gave her and walk around at one agency she didn’t at the other but both took pictures.

They are not allowed to work in England until 18 but can work from 16 in Paris or Milan. Manage expectations it likely won’t lead anywhere they want models on their books in case their face fits for a clients campaign. Dd has done some catwalk from it but nothing regular. Excuse for a nice London day out!

Erm, I used to scout for models, that's exactly what I did. If you see someone with potential, you just approach them, wherever you are. Scouted a girl that went on to be very successful while she was picking up fruit with her mum at Tesco. My boyfriend got scouted at a high school sports game where an agent happened to be. Models tend to get scouted young so it's not unusual to be spotted in settings where a lot of young people are, e.g. hobby related (e.g. dance) or school events, school fashion shows etc.

I imagine online is more dominant now but this used to be what you did 20 years ago.

Seems like OP's agency is legit as she's checked them out, but of course you have to be careful with the random 'free photo shoot' people. There are many scams out there.

They actually do. Well, not sure about children but definitely teens. My 19 year old son has been a model for several years with a very reputable agency.

People regularly ask me how to get their child in and I always tell them obviously to check the agencies credentials, who has worked with them. And that they NEVER ask for money upfront for photos. He hasn't paid for any photos at all, they provide a photographer. I believe there is an annual admin fee, at least there was when he joined, which was like £30 at the time but that also didn;t get paid until he got his first job and they took it from that.

I still pop along to the agency sometimes when he's checking in even though he's 19, wouldn't trust anyone who didn't allow a parent to be involved when they're still in their teens.

As for clothing @NunsOnTheRum , as the model PP has said, my son has always been asked to wear jeans and a plain t-shirt for castings or updating his photos. He's worked internationally and it was the same there, so no need to worry it may vary depending on agency!

My other tip is be discreet! Dont tell all and sundry. Some people are weird about it and if it doesn’t come to anything you will feel abit of a prat.

I would be less worried about scams (you very much seem to have your wits about you) and more worried about her flying through this initial stage. It's pretty cutthroat and the timing with GCSEs could be better. I would hate this for my child but I get that you've just got to support them and it sounds like you are managing her expectations. I would be secretly cursing that scout. That said this has probably already been a confidence boost for her when she needed it. Maybe I just worry too much.

Be careful of changing in a room during the visit. There can be rogue agents and photographers working for more recognised firms. Hidden cameras.

I went for a photoshoot with a friend as a teenager. She was contacted by the police years later. This was pre-internet.

Wouldnt worry about the gcse thing She’s not allowed to work until she is 18. It’s very strict.

The agencies we went to were obviously very legit - commercial lots of normal type women and a few men on computers and giant models loitering about asking if they had been picked for stuff. It is interesting if you know nothing of that world.

Sophie Dahl too

Jeans and a tight/ close fitting t shirt / vest top. Clean fresh skin and minimal make up. Don't try and cover up blemishes etc. Hair down and clean. Trainers or flat shoes.

They are looking at body type, carriage, height, shape and skin. Less is more.

Never pay for photos/ promotion etc. Only pay once you've got jobs and are all set up.

And good luck. It can be great fun! (Former teen model).

Sorry but those success stories are very very rare. My main tip is to manage expectations.

Ex model here. Street scouting is very common and quite a few famous models have been found that way. Kate Moss was spotted at JFK airport and Naomi Campbell was discovered whilst window shopping.

You're allowed to work as a model at any age. I started at 15. Child models are under 12, and teen models are usually 12 to 16.

Ex model for a smaller agency (in a different country and years ago) - blue jeans and would wear a plain black white or cream spaghetti strap vest top under a normal plain T-shirt.

The main thing to tell her is that different agencies are looking for different things, and that it’s just an experiment to see things like how her particular 3D human looks and bone structure looks in 2D (photos) and whether she has the kind of temperament that enjoys being in front of the camera. It is NOT a test of her beauty, worth, attractiveness, sexiness or value as a person.

Yours sincerely, someone whose peak ‘physical hotness’ years ie 20s were blighted with the memory of middle aged men (ad agency clients) making me get down to my bra and knickers in front of them at castings and then critiquing me like an object.

This was the Wild West 90s though! My actual agent was a pet who adored her talent list male and female and I still count her as a friend more than 30 years later.

I'm a middle aged bloke with no knowledge at all about this and came here to state the obvious which has already been said many times-

1. cut and run the moment they ask you for money/check it's not an elaborate scam to get you to pay for photos etc etc
2. if it is real, she should wear as close to whatever she was wearing before. Hope it's genuine, and good luck if it is balancing that with GCSEs.

What she is wearing sounds great. Just be as similar as to what her style was like when she was scouted.

As you say not too much make up or hair styling as they want to see the vision and potential and that’s more difficult if someone is caked in make up.

These things absolutely do happen but please be careful and do not pay any money etc.
I’ve lost count how many times I’ve been ‘scouted’. Even when they’re genuine it’s sometimes things like paying X amount of money.

Although nothing can be worse than my mate who got ‘scouted’ by a male photographer and she did a topless photo shoot for him 🙈

But I’d definitely still encourage her to go for it!
Even if it doesn’t go anywhere it’s still a fun experience and story to remember.

I remember hoping to get scouted in the 90s after reading about Kate Moss etc.
Unlikely as I was barely 5 ft and lived in a shitty town where scouts were unlikely to visit!

Don't want to be a killjoy but be very careful. My daughters friend was a slightly vulnerable girl. She got scouted, worked a bit ... and ended up with anorexia and had to leave sixth form. I'm not sure I'd encourage a sensitive girl to do anything where her body shape would be so scrutinised.

this
You are mad to even consider letting her do this especially when her mind should be on her exams, not being made to feel bad about what her body looks like in clothes that would barely fit a 9 year old.

It’s exactly how models are scouted.

My niece was signed by a very famous agency at Age 14. Suffice it to say she’s suffered with eating disorders, got hooked on cigarettes and suffers continuing health issues. I would be very wary of allowing any child of mine to get involved with modelling.

I thought she was spotted at JFK airport.