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

It’s a fun day out. I had exactly same dilemmas when DS got scouted. Agency were great about explaining what the legit rules are. He didn’t get taken on by them but was scouted a lot afterwards and is now signed but hasn’t actually had a gig yet tho we have had a few all expenses trips out of it. One thing to be aware of is that they move v fast when they want to send you to a casting. But his agency have also been fine if he’s had exams etc at sixth form college. The pain T is important, also v flat shoes and something to tie your hair up with. They want to see the structure on which they can hang the clothes, do the hair and make up on.

I’d echo the caution of others above. There are a few hints in your OP that your DD might be vulnerable - looking for a new friendship group, unsure of her style - which is totally typical for a teen. I don’t think the answer is modelling; it’s time and space to find yourself away from image-obsession. If I were you it would be a firm no until she’s 18 - but you can stress what a lovely thing it is that she will have this option in her future if that’s what she decides for herself then.

Be very careful.

Never let her go anywhere alone.

No castings in hotel rooms.

Never pay to join an agency.

Never hand money over.

The whole Epstein / Maxwell business ...

Be with her at all times, especially if she’s asked to change clothes
Reputable agencies will not ask for money even as a ‘deposit’

Scouts do scout in public places.

My DN was scouted by an agency at a dance comp and ended up getting selected to play a role in a huge Netflix series. He played a key role in 2 episodes but due to it being a docu/drama series different children were used depending on age of person.

He’s also been called for many auditions for varying dance and acting roles and even modelling. He’s been successful in a number.

best of luck to your DD. As long as she goes in open minded and willing to do a wait and see approach she should have a great time and could even book some good jobs. It doesn’t need to be what she plans for her future but could earn her enough to put money by over the next few years whilst she studies.

This happened to a teenager I know. They thought it was a wind up, but the email address checked out. He now models for several big designers. His siblings aren’t best pleased - one is a waitress & the other has a paper round.

Meant to add - good luck to your DD! And I co lately agree to wear something neutral with minimal make up.

The jeans with a plain T

They do actually! A lot of agencies have scouts who actually specifically choose places like shopping centres, festivals and other places to scout models. Op has also said that she has researched the agency and believes it is genuine.

This is very good advice.

I echo PP's. Plain fitted tee and jeans. Fresh face and clean, unstyled hair.

If legit, you will NOT be asked for money.

Many a top model was spotted out and about so it could well be genuine. I am not sure she should have taken photos of your DD in the shop, but I assume your daughter said it was ok.

Best of luck.

in the 90s when safeguarding did not exist. Also, not sure I'd like any offspring of mine walk KM's path <shudders>

I will join the chorus of do be careful @NunsOnTheRum - quite dodgy to be taking picture there and then, my dd who is the same age as yours wouldn't have agreed to that. Even if the agent is legit, do you really want this in her GCSE year?

Lots would be thrilled, I'd run a mile in the other direction.

This happened to me in my teens many years ago in the exact same place. I was visiting from 300 miles away with friends and their parents who’d brought us up to watch an Eminem concert. I was so excited and desperate to go to the casting but when I got home, my mum refused to let me go. It was a legitimate agency, this was earlier in the email days but we were given a branded business card etc.

I never grew past 5ft 6 so it was probably never going to happen anyway.

good luck to your daughter OP.

No sorry I work in the modelling industry and it happens now. To claim this doesn’t happen anymore due to safeguarding reasons means you know nothing about the modelling industry so if you know nothing about a certain industry then please don’t comment giving ‘advice’ about something you know nothing about!
Model scouts STILL scout at shopping centres, on the street, at festivals, at events. Please do your research about how modelling agencies scout and come back to us and tell us all what you found out.

Also, they will ask parents to come along with them to the agency if the teen is under 18 years old.

My thoughts too, @RainCup . There are still people who go round checking up teenage girls and taking pictures of them?
My DD is an adult now, but no way would I have allowed that when she was at school!

As I’ve said earlier. People claiming modelling agencies don’t go up to people and scout them on the street or shopping centres, events etc means they have no real knowledge about the modelling industry. Please don't comment giving ‘advice’ on something you know nothing about.
If you wouldn’t allow that to have happened to yours then that’s your choice but don’t give advice on an industry you have no experience of.

We found them very professional. They spoke to me first and asked permission.

I have read the whole thread, good to see some balanced and sensible replies and ideas. Sorry to say that from experience in my very close family, I completely agree with @ChikinLikin and @Fairywingsandroses.

Oh, I will comment. You don't police the thread.
I do think it's suspect to have someone going round shopping centres, looking at teenage girls and taking their pictures.
But you're right, I don't know anything about it, other than it sounds dodgy to me. I am sure you are quite above board, doing this.
Anyway my opinion. To which I am entitled.

Ex model here OP and I was scouted in the loo before I went into the cinema. I continued to model for 4 years. Plenty of people on here being WAY too cautious. I see you have checked the Agency and they have asked you to come too. All sounds legit to me. Scouts often will approach people in the shops, on the street etc - all totally normal. Dont let the doubters put you off !! Very best of luck to her x

Yes you don’t know anything and I can assure you it definitely happens and that legit agencies do have scouts who scout models at busy places. If you think that’s suspect that that’s your opinion but to come on here and give advice without doing the research or having no knowledge whatsoever about a certain industry or how they operate is nonsensical

I can give advice on a teenage girl being approached and photographed by a stranger. To tell me not to consider this is nonsensical

You said it's your job. Fine. Crack on
I'm glad the OP has checked it out though.

I didn’t say I was a model scout actually I said I work in the industry. I didn’t say as what. Yes you can give advice but it’s the wrong advice in this situation so like I said, maybe a bit of research would be better before stating something as ‘fact’ rather than trying to insinuate that all model scouts are paedos.

Yes they do. My son was scouted by Elite at a festival, just before Covid and my friend’s daughter in a shop. So long as you confirm the agency and they will never ask for money up front. The model pays everything out of their earnings with the agency (travel/accommodation etc).
The agency won’t care what she’s wearing but they will want her to keep her hair the same. I think “go-see” outfits of jeans and a vest top are most popular.
Its hard on their ego and a lot of travelling, but I hope she has some fun! It’s very difficult to do if you live outside of London because all the castings are in London.
Keep an eye on her eating as boy, do they like them thin. My son’s bmi was 16 when he was modelling at 18 years old, which is way underweight.
My sister’s close friend still models in the USA in her 40s and has done so her whole career. She has some horror stories from her career of abuse and exploitation back in the 80s that really put me off, but things seem less seedy now and my son was always safe and got to go to London, Paris and Milan fashion weeks and meet loads of interesting people.
Make sure she knows how important her walk is. Probably more important than her face for runway work. I hope she has a blast!

Nope. The right advice would be to check it out. Which the OP has done, it would appear.
Perhaps I have worked too long with vulnerable young people and in Child Protection and Safeguarding.
I've seen a lot
My advice - although I know nothing of course - would be to exercise caution and check it out.