So you are just getting started in the modeling industry and about to go to your very first casting call. How exciting!!!! Now you must figure out precisely what to wear and bring to land your first job! We sat down with Hannah Noelle, the founder of modeling and influencer agency Hannah Noelle Models, to find out exactly what you need to book your next fashion show, commercial or print shoot.
Tops
For your top, you want to opt for a fitted black or white tank top, bodysuit, or form fitted slightly cropped shirt. It needs to be tight and wrinkle-free.
Bottoms
For bottoms, Hannah says go for tight black pants or skinny jeans. Your pants should not have rips or loud embellishments. You want the casting directors and designers to be able to see your figure and essentially see you as a blank canvas so that they can easily picture how you’ll look in their garments.
Shoes
If it’s a casting call for a runway show, shoes are probably the most crucial aspect of your outfit. You need to wear either black or nude stiletto heels. The heel should be 4 inches. Make sure to break in your shoes before the casting, and practice walking in them. Hannah recommends keeping these as your dedicated casting call shoes.
Hair
You can wear your hair curly or straight, whatever is most natural for you. Just make sure it’s neat and clean. Also, be sure to have a hair tie in your model bag or pocket if the casting directors want to see what you look like with your hair. Whatever you do, don’t have your hair tie on your wrist. It’s not a good look and cuts your arm off in photographs.
Makeup
For makeup, less is more. Go for a no-makeup-makeup look. A casting call is not the time to show off your glam makeup skills. Stay away from falsies and intense colors. You want to look natural.
Jewelry
Wear very minimal jewelry. Don’t wear anything that would distract the casting directors. An effortless necklace, a few rings, and a pair of stud earrings are okay but don’t overdo it. Hannah Noelle’s rule of thumb is to follow Coco Chanel’s famous quote on accessories, “Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off.”
What to Bring
In your model bag, you’ll want your portfolio book and about a dozen copies of your comp card printed on photo paper with your contact information or your modeling agency’s info. Also, bring a black or neutral-colored bikini if they ask to see you in swimwear. You will also want a hairbrush, hairspray, deodorant, a small mirror, and any makeup you may need to do a quick touch-up.
Attitude
Have a positive attitude! Be friendly and polite to everyone you meet at the casting, and become friends with the other models. It always helps to have friends in the industry. You never know who might help you land your next job or introduce you to your next client. When you are attending a casting, you will be in line with possibly hundreds of beautiful models. To stand out, you also have to highlight your personality. Be confident, kind, and polite, and show that you will be easy to work with if you land the job. Never show up to a casting late because if you can’t manage to show up to the casting call on time, how will the directors know that you’ll be at the job on time? The fashion industry is a business; if you want to model professionally, you must act professionally.
For more modeling tips and advice, visit the resources page on HannahNoelle.com and follow @HannahNoelleModels on Instagram.
