Amanda Van Annan - WIN THE RUNWAY

So, You Want to Be a Model?

Copyright 2020 All rights reserved.

It is not legal to reproduce, duplicate, or transmit any part of this document in either electronic means or in printed format. Recording of this publication is strictly prohibited and any storage of this document is not allowed unless with written permission from the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

This book is dedicated to the women in my life

To my mother who could not be there

To my step mum for keeping me alive

To my aunt who made me realize I could dream

To my sisters for always being there

To my darling grandma for telling me with faith all things are possible.

To my cousin whose light shone so bright

To my friends who became family.

To the models, the bookers, the agents, managers, make-up artists, photographers, stylists , clients and of course the party promoters.

All the amazing people I met along the way and also the ones that were so insecure they forced me to become a stronger person and stand for change.

Some we are still in touch and others our paths never crossed again. Modeling is one of the most exciting life journeys one will ever have.

Its a journey of self-discovery through travel,growing pains and sometimes being thrown in unusual situations. Like life, modeling can be challenging yet very satisfying. This book is for all of you, the tried, the tested and the true.

Stay focused, enjoy the journey, it is one of human connection, fragility and sometimes human misbehavior.

Table of Contents

Preface

While sitting in my NYC apartment thinking about writing a book to help future models succeed in their modeling careers, a thought came to mind. The modeling industry has changed so much since I started modeling in the early 2000s. In the 90s, supermodels were featured on the pages and covers of magazines, Cindy Crawford, Christy Turlington, Helena Christensen, Naomi Campbell, Tatjana Patitz, and Elaine Erwin, to just name a few. This was probably the golden era of modeling.

I started modeling at the young age of 17, and by the time I was 18, I was in Paris, far away from home, and on the international runways of the world. I was young, I was nave, but I was also lucky. I worked for a top model agency called Metropolitan Models. I was lucky enough to have my career take off, and was always busy flying to places as far afield as South Africa, Athens, and even Japan.

The purpose of this book is not only to give you a road map to modeling but to also provide you with a blueprint that you can always refer to. Things are constantly changing in the modeling and fashion industry. One minute it is all about being super-chic, and the next, its all about streetwear.

The good news today is that unlike in my time when you practically had to be a unicorn and represented by an agency to be a model, the doors have now opened to anyone and everyone. Modeling is about having an identity, paving it forward, revealing your true authenticity, and being present. By doing this, you show up as the best possible version of yourself.

The best possible version of yourself is your best self, the one that does not hide from anyone and is your true, authentic self. Models today have to be more than a pretty face; you have to ooze personality and have a presence. With many social media apps, you can create a whole brand, starting from nothing and building it into something.

I decided to write this book to be your bible and help guarantee your success in this cut-throat industry. Modeling is not an easy game. To be honest, luck has a lot to do with it. You have to have a lot of stars aligned if you want to make it in this industry. In this book, I attempt to make your journey easier by giving you practical advice to help you navigate your path through the modeling world. I also advise you on the best actions to take to give your career an exponential kick start and keep you a step ahead of the rest.

Win the runway is a book you should always keep close at hand. I talk about safety, personal branding, finding an agent, perseverance, and a whole lot more. The book ends with a section on hacks that can help you find an agent fast or help you book a job. Some of these hacks are one of a kind, and you have to be brave to execute them, but who said there was anything wrong with being brave and positive? These hacks will get you through the door, and at least, get you seen.

I also provide a list of modeling agencies in major cities as well as tips to launch your career even if you do not have an agent. Remember that you are worth it, and you can launch a whole modeling career even if you do not have an agency. The key is to start thinking of yourself as a brand and pinpointing your attributes. You do not have to be famous to be a brand; you can create your brand and find a tribe of people that will follow you and identify themselves with your brand.

When reading this book, you may feel as if some of the information I provide is repetitive; but, there is a method behind thisI want to instill the basic building blocks about the modeling industry in you so you stand a better chance of success. There are bonus chapters with several hacks that can help put you ahead of your competition, so follow them carefully and diligently. Modeling, like any other job you plan to make money from, requires focus and sheer determination.

I am so happy to be your guide and coach on your journey to success. Remember: the game has changed, so dont let anyone call the shots for you. If they say that you cant keep focused and stay focused, remember that can.

When you read this book, please read slowly, make notes, and then read it repeatedly. If you need any advice, you can contact my team at . I will try my best to reply and answer your questions.

I look forward to seeing you on the cover of a magazine, in a TV commercial, in a print advert, or on Instagram. Yes, you can do this, and I hope to be your guide on this journey with you.

With love,

Amanda

Chapter One

What is a model?

Since the beginning of time, humans have always been fascinated with fashion. Fashion started when people began wearing clothes, dating back 100,000-500,000 years. Over the centuries, clothing became a way of conveying social status and individuality. But the days of haute couture are slowly disappearing with the emergence of mass-produced, ready-to-wear clothing.

Modeling, as a profession, was first established in 1853 by Charles Frederick Worth, the father of haute couture, when he asked his wife, Marie Vernet Worth, to model the clothes he designed. Marie attracted the attention of the ladies of the French court and then the Empress Eugnie herself, by wearing Worths creations. From then on, Worth became a pioneer in designing dresses that were distributed across the world.

A model can be defined as anyone who puts on clothes, accessories, or undergarments and shows them off to others; yet this description can be somewhat narrow. Since the 1800s, modeling has evolved, and there are so many different types of models. This includes commercial models, runway models, editorial models, hand models, face models, and the list goes on. The business of modeling usually refers to someone that is generally a clothes model, even though they may also do some other type of modeling.