If you’re hoping to become a male model in the UK, having exceptionally good looks and being six feet tall will stand you in good stead for bookings. But in order to be successful, you’ll have to do some hard work. It’s a competitive business that demands dedication, confidence, and versatility, plus the resilience to handle rejection and criticism.
The good news for those just starting out is that the industry has boomed in recent years. Toned abs and high cheekbones are no longer prerequisites, and a diverse range of modelling niches can help newcomers find their feet.
Whether you’re promoting an androgynous look like Luke Smith or flaunting an exceptional physique like Simeon Panda, defining your own brand and selling points will set you apart in a competitive market. Here’s everything you need to know to get started.
JUMP TO
Jacob Lund/Shutterstock
The archetypal male model has a flawless physique and a chiselled jawline, but the field extends beyond the haute couture aesthetic. Here’s a rundown of various areas you can pursue.
High-fashion
Defined by striking looks and lean bodies, these types of models are typically between 5'11" and 6'3" tall, with waists between 29 and 32 inches and chests between 39 and 40 inches.
Commercial
Requirements for commercial models are less strict, but clients tend to prioritise a look and personality that appeals to certain markets.
Plus-size
Brands are increasingly hiring larger models to more accurately reflect their customers. Successful plus-size models have attractive faces and confident personalities. Gigs sometimes require performers to have a specific BMI.
Fitness
Fitness models are either lean and toned or very well-built. Most start out as athletes or personal trainers before venturing into modelling, though influencers have also been making the jump into the industry.
Alternative
Men with unusual looks, a quirky aesthetic, or eye-catching body modifications (such as piercings and tattoos) can find themselves in demand from brands targeting alternative markets.
Body-part
These types of models showcase a single part of their body, such as their hands or legs. While many also do other types of modelling, this area is ideal if you don’t meet other physical requirements but possess above-average individual body parts.
Mature
Sometimes called “classic models,” mature models are typically defined as being over 40 or 50, depending on the agency. Some models age into the category, but many are entirely new to the industry. Grey hairs and wrinkles are often desirable, and it’s usually expected that you are fit and healthy.
kiuikson/Shutterstock
1. Find your niche
Consider your physique, facial structure, and personality; those smiles and smouldering pouts need to be believable! Next, focus on the area of the industry that best suits you. An agent might suggest that you take a different direction in the future, but it helps to centre your efforts on one area at first.
2. Gain experience
Most models start small. That can mean appearing in anything from student fashion shows to local newspaper ads. You can also:
- Attend open calls
- Go to local model searches
- Enter modelling competitions
- Visit modelling conventions
- Sign with a scouting company
3. Build a portfolio and create a comp card
Portfolios show agencies and brands what you have to offer. As a rule, they should contain:
- A standard headshot
- Body shots in casual clothing, business casual, and shorts/underwear with a tank top.
- A mix of colour and black-and-white photos
- Body measurements and shoe size
If you’ve never done a professional shoot, consider hiring a professional headshot photographer. But high-quality photos taken with your phone against a plain backdrop with good lighting should be enough to get you started.
Modelling comp cards are a cross between a portfolio and a business card—the same size as the latter, but featuring shots alongside your measurements and contact details. Keep a few in your pocket, especially at networking events.
4. Secure an agent
Though you could pitch yourself to agencies right away, a little experience will give you a significant advantage. Prioritise representatives that fall within your niche, then research them to find out whether they’re a good fit.
Interested agents will invite you to an in-person casting call, check out your portfolio, and sometimes have you try on different clothes and demonstrate your walk. And reps don’t just find you work; they also help you plan out your career and push you in the right direction.
As model Max Rogers told FashionBeans, “You need an agency’s belief in you and their plan for you, because you’re a rare person if you have both the skills of a model and an agent.” For example, your rep may advise turning down catalogue work that seems lucrative but could prove to be the wrong step in the long run.
5. Figure out your look
Modelling takes practice, so research the best angles and poses for your niche, then conduct test shoots so you can work on perfecting your angles and broadening your range. Being photogenic is about working with the camera rather than simply standing in front of it. Here’s a rundown of 35 poses to get you started.
6. Go on modelling interviews
Once you’ve signed with an agency, you’ll have a chance to attend “go-sees” with potential clients and photographers. Be prompt, courteous, and professional, regardless of how the experience goes. Make sure to arrive well-groomed, well-rested, and well-dressed, with a copy of your portfolio to hand.
7. Be active on social media
Platforms like Instagram can be a great launchpad for models. Reece King, who found his feet on Instagram, has since signed with Supa Model Management and worked with Tommy Hilfiger, Bershka, and Kurt Geiger.
“Social media is a huge shop window for models now, and I’ve personally scouted a few guys that are doing really well,” top model Oliver Cheshire told FashionBeans.
Before posting, consider the area you’re focusing on, how your personality comes through, and brands you’d like to work with. (High-street retailers are particularly keen to work with influencers.
8. Network
Connections matter in the modelling biz. Every makeup artist, hairdresser, brand manager, and photographer you meet could open doors for you in the future. Be nice to everyone, remember their names, and don’t consider anyone to be beneath you.
9. Take care of yourself
As a model, your body is your business, since even small imperfections can show on camera. Keep yourself well-groomed: Invest in a good skincare routine, exercise regularly, follow a healthy diet, practise good oral hygiene, and make sure you get enough sleep.
In an interview with RTE, legendary male model Charley Speed advised, “Be healthy. You need to eat well, and you need to exercise, and you need to look after yourself—because those are the people who really glow, and those are the people who really stand out.”
10. Be open-minded
You may have to get a haircut you wouldn’t choose for yourself, wear eye-catching makeup that you’d never pick, and pose in some truly out-there outfits—especially if you’re working in high fashion. Though you should never do anything that makes you uncomfortable, it’s important to keep an open mind and seem enthusiastic about the brand you’re working with.
Featureflash Photo Agency/Ovidiu Hrubaru/lev radin/Shutterstock
Nigel Barker: After modelling for 10 years, Barker became a celebrated photographer and judged 17 seasons of America’s Next Top Model.
Kit Butler: This Reader’s Choice Model of the Year has worked with the likes of Burberry, Calvin Klein, Versace, and Armani.
Oliver Chéshire: Marks and Spencer reported a 50% increase in men’s swimwear sales after he fronted its campaign. Chéshire has also modelled for Jack Wills and Dolce & Gabbana.
David Gandy: The highest-grossing male model in history was the face of Dolce & Gabbana for over a decade.
Jack Guinness: Now a leading fashion commentator, Guinness started out modelling for brands like L’Oreal, Dolce & Gabbana, and Dunhill.
Babacar N’doye: The model is known for his work with luxury brands such as Flâneur, Givenchy, and Burberry.
Stephen James: James has worked at the highest level ever since he first made waves in Milan. Collaborators include Calvin Klein, Belstaff, and Armani.
Adewale Akinnuoye Agbaje: Having begun his career as a model in Milan, Akinnuoye Agbaje has since pivoted into acting, with roles in Game of Thrones, Lost, and His Dark Materials.
Blondey McCoy: This skateboarder, artist, and model has worked with Adidas, Burberry, Valentino, and Supreme.
Glassdoor reports male models make an average of:
- £34,416 per year
- £2,789 per year in additional pay (cash bonuses, commissions, tips, and profit sharing)
How much you’ll earn depends on your profile, experience, and niche. Interestingly, modelling is one of the few industries in which women make more than men. In 2023, Vogue estimated the top earning male model was Sean O’Pry, whose impressive $1.4 million (£1,081,003) in annual earnings was nevertheless dwarfed by top-earning female model Gisele Bündchen, who took home a cool $42 million (£3,243,0090) over the same period.
Modelling isn’t an industry you get into for love of money alone. Well-known model Rhys Pickering sums it up nicely: “No one in the industry is really on a set wage…. The amount models earn per year can range anywhere between zero pounds [and] much more than zero pounds.”