Modelling is one of the most fascinating career options. It is very popular among youngsters. It is known for its glamour and competition. It is an exciting as well as lucrative profession dominated by women. Good earnings and instant popularity are the main advantages of this career. It is also considered as a gateway for the film industry. The competition in the modelling career is very high as there is constant demand for fresh faces to launch and promote various branded products. In modelling career physical attributes are more important than qualification. Modelling is a career for the young, the bold and the beautiful.

Modelling in India is mainly categorized into print modelling, television modelling, still modelling, showroom modelling, ramp/live modelling, advertising modelling, etc. The job opportunities are available in product advertising, live fashion shows, music videos, in garment fairs and acting in television programs or films. Before staring a career in modelling, one must know all the details about this profession. This profession needs dedication, hard work and perseverance and stamina. It is a short-term and highly competitive career. The models have to face a very hectic schedule and physical and mental stress. To day many Indian models viz. Madhu Sapre, Aishwarya Rai, Sushmita Sen, Yukta Mookhey, Lara Dutt, Diya Mirza, Priyanka Chopra, Aditi Govitrikar, etc have made their prominence at the international level. It gives one tremendous exposure and opens up doors to other careers like event management, choreography, films, product endorsements, hosting of television shows or your own show too if you have the concept.

In India models are usually paid for an entire campaign or for the duration of the contract. However for fashion shows and catalogues they are paid on a day-to-day basis. One needs to be very careful of the interpretation of the terms of the contract so as not to be disappointed later. The media makes headlines publishing how much money top models make however realistic speculation is difficult. The money depends on demand, experience and ratings the model commands.

No specific academic qualifications for becoming a model are recommended although it does help to have your wits about you and a certain level of maturity that comes with age. Girls aspiring to be fashion models should ideally should have 5'6",  good hair and skin, teeth, expressive eyes and complete lack of self-consciousness. For boys height should be at least 5’10", clear complexion, straight carriage, well-proportioned physique, good teeth and good hair.

• Hard work and continous rehearsals.
• A high level of physical and mental co-ordination.
• Discipline in work and diet.
• Balanced personality.
• Ability to work in team.
• Attitude, self-confidence and determination.
• Stamina for working long hours.
• Photogenic face emoting effortlessly in front of the camera 
• Courage and resilience- be 'bold and beautiful'.

If you record “Yes” for maximum questions then it indicates that you have potential for perusing career in the field of Modelling.

• Do I have ability to hard work?
• Do I have ability to do rehearsals for a long time?
• Do I have a high level of physical and mental coordination?
• Am I disciplined in work and diet?
• Do I have balanced personality?
• Am I ready to work as a team member?
• Do I have attitude, self-confidence and determination?
• Do I take full care of my face?
• Do I have creative expression and imaginative power?
• Do I have persistence and determination?
• Do I have ability to work independently and ability to promote ideas?
• Am I highly organized and ability to handle stress due to deadlines?
• Do I have high level of technical knowledge about modelling?
• Do I accept criticism positively?
• Am I self-motivated?
• Do I have excellent communication skills?
• Do I have perceptive and probing mind?
• Am I aware of recent styles?
• Do I have creativity with artistic visualization?
• Do I have social adaptability?
• Do I have keen observation?
• Am I ready to learn and adopt new techniques?
  

Modelling has two main aspects i.e.advertising and fashion industry. The fashion modelling offers two main areas of work i.e. photographic and catwalk. Very often models do both types of work. So they may be working both for the fashion industry and the advertising industry simultaneously. Models usually prefer to take on both types of assignments. Anybody who has been a ramp model does not have a problem with the photographic medium but it might not be the same way for a photographic model to also work on the ramp. Ramp work requires a certain mix of physical attributes and attitudes while photographic modelling is for a wide range of people.

• Print model
• Television model
• Still model
• Showroom model
• Rramp/live model
• Advertising model

• Fashion industry
• Advertising industry
• Publishing industry
  
• Print media industry

• Degree courses
  
• Diploma courses
  
• Certificate courses
  

The duration and fees of this courses depends on institutes.

• CRAFT: Centre for Research in Art of Film and television. Add: 272.1st fl.Car Market.Near M2K cinema . Sector-7, Rohini. New Delhi:110085 . Website: www.log2craft.org ( 011 ) 32416868,( 011) 32916868. This agency provides Six months Diploma Courses after 10+2 in Acting and Modelling
• Cute Look (Modelling Agency), 304 West Wing Shivtirth Bidg., #2 Haji Ali Mumbai-400 026 Phone: 2492 9528
• Lesley model coordinator Modelling Agency 7 A/B Shaheen apartments 132 Modi Street, Fort Mumbai 400001 Phone: 22617428
• Ozone Models Management (Modelling Agency) B Choksy building Next to Gamdevi Telephone exchange Nana Chowk Mumbai 400007 Phone: 23892542
• Laxya Coordinator J-4/9 Basement, Khirki Extension Delhi 110017 Phone: 26214472
• Platinum Models, Malviya Nagar, New Delhi Phone: 26220172
• Rainbow Enterprises, A-25/3, Middle Circle, Connaught Place New Delhi110 001 Phone: 23325398
• Rashmi Modelling & Film Society, 72 Old Rajinder, Nagar Market Delhi 110005 Phone: 25742832
• La Modelle, A-54, First Floor, Naraina Vihar New Delhi 110028 Phone: 25794466
• Model Gaze, 1D Deauville Apartments, 19 church street Bangalore 560001 Phone: 25091284
• Model Coordinator G2 Maruthi Flats, 47 V G Paneerdas Road, Saidapet Chennai 600015 Phone: 24851263
• Aura, 19 Lake Area, 5th Street, Near Good Luck Theatre, Nungambakkam Chennai 600034 Phone: 28212841
• Padmini Kolhapure School Of Acting,29, Hauz Khas Village, New Delhi- 110016 Phone No: 6510150
• The Elite School 2nd Floor, Ndiit Building, 105 Mor Pocket, Kalkaji,New Delhi 110019 Phone No: 91 11 4155 2222 E-mail: school@elitemodelsindia.com
• YSG-WorldWide Model & Promotion Agency Orient House, 4th Floor, Adi Marzban Path, Mumbai- 38.
• The Meyhar Bhasin Academy, E-186, G.K -I, New Delhi Phone-No:6292201/02/03 Top model agencies in India
• Elite model management India New Delhi and Mumbai
• Glitz modelling New Delhi
• Models Guru Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, etc.
• Glamour hunt One of the top model agencies in World
  

There are numerous abroad career opportunities especially in Hollywood and other foreign fashion industries.