veypurr wrote:
Right, I would like to see which just straight up high fashion model makes the most. Meaning a model that is not a celebrity and has no line or endorsement deal. Just a model that does runway and ads in magazines.

Along those lines I'd say it's probably Karlie Kloss.

I was wondering the same. Are agency models getting more lucrative deals as opposed to "freelance" models? I've seen many non agency models that are amazing compared to agency represented ones.

Erick Prince wrote:
I was wondering the same. Are agency models getting more lucrative deals as opposed to "freelance" models? I've seen many non agency models that are amazing compared to agency represented ones.

I am doing far better freelancing. My agencies have been pretty worthless the last year or two. Lucky for me I am now a free agent and free of agencies

Erick Prince wrote:
I was wondering the same. Are agency models getting more lucrative deals as opposed to "freelance" models? I've seen many non agency models that are amazing compared to agency represented ones.

In average comparison? No. You cannot get any RTW campaign freelance, or major catalog work (and these are the highest payest jobs). Freelancing as a fashion model is not generally desirable. Most photographers won't even test with you if you do not have an agency. Of course, I imagine things are different in different parts of the nation, but New York City is, after all, the country's real fashion capital.

D M M  wrote:
Most photographers won't even test with you if you do not have an agency.

Really?

Christie Gabriel wrote:

Really?

Really. I found it much easier to book tests once I had representation. In fact, it didn't even matter that I was with a small boutique agency. Just the fact that I had an agency behind me did the trick.

Janos - wrote:
Just keep in mind these are the top models who have established their name. Of course I am only throwing out a ball park figure, but my guess is that there are less than 5,000 models with the top tier agencies in the world who make a six ± figure income. The majority just do it part time.

Making up statistics is fun! 
“Oh, people can come up with statistics to prove anything. 14% of people know that.” -Homer Simpson

A video of the top 10 earning models from last year: http://www.blinkx.com/watch-video/top-1 … o486IQfPVw

The list hasn't changed much this year, the top 5:  http://www.luxurylaunches.com/celebriti … _world.php

Some articles that talk about pay in the top of the fashion world:
http://blogs.payscale.com/ask_dr_salary … bs_pa.html
http://www.actingbiz.com/articles/avera … actors.php
http://www.svenler.com/blog/income-stat … ally-make/

But don't let the big numbers the top models make fool you, a lot of agency signed fashion models go into debt, fast:
http://dismagazine.com/discussion/16801 … of-models/
http://thinkprogress.org/yglesias/2011/ … -industry/

I highly suggest to anyone that hasn't already seen it to watch "Picture Me," the self documentary of a model discovered at 18 who goes through the cream of the fashion industry (NY, Paris, Milan, etc) and tells it like it is.

D M M  wrote:
It's the endorsement deals and other projects. Gisele also has a lingerie line, for example. Heidi has a fashion line. Kate does Topshop.

These models are all celebrities, really. That is to say, they do more work as celebrities than they do as models.

ETA: We need a union. I know that Sara Ziff is working on that, but, there are models who are working a ton and hardly taking home enough to pay the bills. Unfortunately, the dreamers imagine that every model gets paid as well as Lara and Candice, when, that's simply not the case. Most break even, if that.

A union? So the agency cut isn't taking enough of your money?  I am all for it, it would just push more work to the right to work states and we would see a major shift in fashion.  Seriously this is no way that would help you, just like every other modern business it would just move work to southern states or overseas.  Just look at one of the last holdouts, SAG and how many tv shows moved to Canada for filming now.

D M M  wrote:
It's the endorsement deals and other projects. Gisele also has a lingerie line, for example. Heidi has a fashion line. Kate does Topshop.

These models are all celebrities, really. That is to say, they do more work as celebrities than they do as models.

ETA: We need a union. I know that Sara Ziff is working on that, but, there are models who are working a ton and hardly taking home enough to pay the bills. Unfortunately, the dreamers imagine that every model gets paid as well as Lara and Candice, when, that's simply not the case. Most break even, if that.

+1

I don't know if we need an union but we seriously need some kind of regulation about it.

Erick Prince wrote:

I was wondering the same. Are agency models getting more lucrative deals as opposed to "freelance" models? I've seen many non agency models that are amazing compared to agency represented ones.

Doing better with an agency. They give me regular work and credibility in the fashion industry. They just give me more opportunities when it comes to modelling.

But I also think a girl can do pretty well freelancing if she has an amazing port and networks well.

X.

LC

Little Alice wrote:

Making up statistics is fun! 
“Oh, people can come up with statistics to prove anything. 14% of people know that.” -Homer Simpson

A video of the top 10 earning models from last year: http://www.blinkx.com/watch-video/top-1 … o486IQfPVw

The list hasn't changed much this year, the top 5:  http://www.luxurylaunches.com/celebriti … _world.php

Some articles that talk about pay in the top of the fashion world:
http://blogs.payscale.com/ask_dr_salary … bs_pa.html
http://www.actingbiz.com/articles/avera … actors.php
http://www.svenler.com/blog/income-stat … ally-make/

But don't let the big numbers the top models make fool you, a lot of agency signed fashion models go into debt, fast:
http://dismagazine.com/discussion/16801 … of-models/
http://thinkprogress.org/yglesias/2011/ … -industry/

I highly suggest to anyone that hasn't already seen it to watch "Picture Me," the self documentary of a model discovered at 18 who goes through the cream of the fashion industry (NY, Paris, Milan, etc) and tells it like it is.

I just watched Picture Me and thought it was good. I wonder what the experience of  a model from a non privileged background is like. Her parents said they financially took care of her until she started making money which I'm sure isn't the case for most models especially the ones coming from poor countries in eastern Europe. I also had no idea that the agencies charge the model for all the flights, drivers, rooms, etc. Seems kind of lame to me.

Erick Prince wrote:
I was wondering the same. Are agency models getting more lucrative deals as opposed to "freelance" models? I've seen many non agency models that are amazing compared to agency represented ones.

It's not only about getting more lucrative deals - as an agency model, you also get to work for legitimate clients who would never look at you twice if you were a freelance model (I'm sure there might be exceptions, but this has been my personal experience). Not to mention you have an agency who negotiate your pay, makes the client pay, etc etc...

Also.... Exactly what would a union for models do? Who would want to be in it? What would the requirements and fees be to join and how would dues be determined? And what about employers...? Would they be willing to sign all the paperwork to become signatories? Can you imagine all modeling jobs being union or non-union so that you all of a sudden couldn't make yourself available for a large portion of all the work out there once you had joined the union...? 

I don't see this happening at all! I'm SAG and I'd say there are a lot of cons as well as pros to being unionized. As long as I'm with a modeling agency that will handle rate negotiations, make sure I get paid and treated reasonably well on set, I would see no reason whatsoever to join a models' union.

Erick Prince wrote:

I was wondering the same. Are agency models getting more lucrative deals as opposed to "freelance" models? I've seen many non agency models that are amazing compared to agency represented ones.

Yes, agency fashion or commercial models are exposed to far more lucrative work and better-paying clients. On these sites, you will not work for a major brand campaign, and you're not going to land the jobs with the 5-figure buyouts. That's the preserve of the agencies.

As for amazing or not - if they're not signed but are still great models, it usually means they're just not agency standard. They're not better or worse than agency models, but they'll usually end up working in other genres anyway.

Vasilisa-art wrote:

Yes, agency fashion or commercial models are exposed to far more lucrative work and better-paying clients. On these sites, you will not work for a major brand campaign, and you're not going to land the jobs with the 5-figure buyouts. That's the preserve of the agencies.

As for amazing or not - if they're not signed but are still great models, it usually means they're just not agency standard. They're not better or worse than agency models, but they'll usually end up working in other genres anyway.

So is his exposure why the agencies charge the model for everything. Is it that the agency basically works for the model and bills her accordingly? Kind of like a lawyer.

D M M  wrote:
It's the endorsement deals and other projects. Gisele also has a lingerie line, for example. Heidi has a fashion line. Kate does Topshop.

These models are all celebrities, really. That is to say, they do more work as celebrities than they do as models.

ETA: We need a union. I know that Sara Ziff is working on that, but, there are models who are working a ton and hardly taking home enough to pay the bills. Unfortunately, the dreamers imagine that every model gets paid as well as Lara and Candice, when, that's simply not the case. Most break even, if that.

models have unions they are called agents and managers.

JEM model wrote:
i do just fine freelancing. I shoot almost EVERY day and travel constantly.

Who needs an agent anyways?!?

you may need them when your starting out and you may need them when your over booked. 

You are only one person.  Some times agents can get you more money.

Robert Sawin wrote:

models have unions they are called agents and managers.

LOL what are you talking about? So not the same thing!

Malin_ wrote:
It's not only about getting more lucrative deals - as an agency model, you also get to work for legitimate clients who would never look at you twice if you were a freelance model (I'm sure there might be exceptions, but this has been my personal experience). Not to mention you have an agency who negotiate your pay, makes the client pay, etc etc...

Also.... Exactly what would a union for models do? Who would want to be in it? What would the requirements and fees be to join and how would dues be determined? And what about employers...? Would they be willing to sign all the paperwork to become signatories? Can you imagine all modeling jobs being union or non-union so that you all of a sudden couldn't make yourself available for a large portion of all the work out there once you had joined the union...? 

I don't see this happening at all! I'm SAG and I'd say there are a lot of cons as well as pros to being unionized. As long as I'm with a modeling agency that will handle rate negotiations, make sure I get paid and treated reasonably well on set, I would see no reason whatsoever to join a models' union.

As I understand it, Sara is aiming for better regulation, especially in regards to issues of sexual harassment and assault.

I remember reading from a model about how she dropped her major agency because they sent her on a test with a photographer who attempted to assault her. She notified them, and yet they kept sending their new models to test with that photographer.

We know that not ALL agencies represent their models' interests. At the end of the day, they are concerned with THEIR money, not their models' well-being. They have been known to make egregious charges for things, to push their models into unhealthy eating habits (For example, my booker refused to send me out on castings until I was 100 lbs, when I was booking very well at my 105 lbs, and already very hungry. He was insistent that I lose the weight to book more editorial, but I'm simply not a high fashion gal, and he should've known that five pounds wouldn't have done anything to change that. I dropped my agency because I have that luxury, but many models, especially those far from home, do not, are much younger, impressionable, etc), and things of that immoral nature.

ETA: I found this interesting. Another article on the website included financial statements, even, but I cannot seem to locate it right now.

http://jezebel.com/5698562/models-sue-a … 75-million

ETA2: Here! http://uk.jezebel.com/5701608/exclusive … its-models

Malin_ wrote:
LOL what are you talking about? So not the same thing!

unions will squash models not protect them.  agents are only looking after one thing to make money.  and if your not making money they are not making money.  A models life span is too short for unions.  I am just making a point that its not really necessary to have model unions.  unions only complicate things.  the only protection a model needs is her looks and her stats.  that is how tall she is dress size ect.

edit
that and actually showing up to your shoots.

Malin_ wrote:

LOL what are you talking about? So not the same thing!

Lots of trolling with this one...just heads up

Robert Sawin wrote:

unions will squash models not protect them.  agents are only looking after one thing to make money.  and if your not making money they are not making money.  A models life span is too short for unions.  I am just making a point that its not really necessary to have model unions.  unions only complicate things.  the only protection a model needs is her looks and her stats.  that is how tall she is dress size ect.

Yes. You're right. Beauty saves the day!

I'm sorry, but it does not work like that, at all. That one of the biggest models this past decade (again, Sara Ziff) is working with Columbia Law to unionize should show you that even the high-earning and beloved models sometimes suffer from unprofessional treatment.

Also, I posted a few links above that might better help inform you of the financial problems of the industry.

Robert Sawin wrote:

unions will squash models not protect them.  agents are only looking after one thing to make money.  and if your not making money they are not making money.  A models life span is too short for unions.  I am just making a point that its not really necessary to have model unions.  unions only complicate things.  the only protection a model needs is her looks and her stats.  that is how tall she is dress size ect.

edit
that and actually showing up to your shoots.

WTF are you smoking... I said above I don't see the need for model unions and this is your response?! Hahaha! Anyway gotta go, I'm on set. And it's a union set... go figure.

D M M  wrote:
It's the endorsement deals and other projects. Gisele also has a lingerie line, for example. Heidi has a fashion line. Kate does Topshop.

These models are all celebrities, really. That is to say, they do more work as celebrities than they do as models.

ETA: We need a union. I know that Sara Ziff is working on that, but, there are models who are working a ton and hardly taking home enough to pay the bills. Unfortunately, the dreamers imagine that every model gets paid as well as Lara and Candice, when, that's simply not the case. Most break even, if that.

PERFECT response.... just the way the biz goes! You go girls!

D M M  wrote:

Yes. You're right. Beauty saves the day!

I'm sorry, but it does not work like that, at all. That one of the biggest models this past decade (again, Sara Ziff) is working with Columbia Law to unionize should show you that even the high-earning and beloved models sometimes suffer from unprofessional treatment.



LOL again, PERFECT response to the previous response! UMMM, who in the hell said models or photogs were silly? Smart as a whip baby...
Also, I posted a few links above that might better help inform you of the financial problems of the industry.

JEM model wrote:
i do just fine freelancing. I shoot almost EVERY day and travel constantly.

Who needs an agent anyways?!?

Amen to that sister!