So, you want to become one of those lingerie models your guy friends have been fawning about for years. You know you have the talent for it. They, too, have joked about it many times, only you haven’t taken them seriously. But, yeah. You have the style, the neck, and the bikini body for it.
You want this. You want to pose while wearing underwear and get paid for it.
But the question is, how? How do you get paid to wear underwear? How do you become a lingerie model? In this piece, we’ll teach you about all the things you need to know to become a lingerie model.
What is the Difference Between Lingerie Modeling and General Modeling?
While both types of modeling involve advertising clothing, the fundamental difference between lingerie models and general fashion models is that lingerie models focus on marketing a lingerie line or a lingerie brand.
A good example is Victoria’s Secret. Here, lingerie models like Adriana Lima or Rosie Huntington Whiteley represent what the lingerie brand calls its Victoria’s Secret Angels.
General fashion models, however, advertise any or every other type of clothing that isn’t lingerie. The world of fashion is large and, arguably, all clothes can fall under the word “fashion”. We can even say that lingerie modeling is in this same large category that we call the fashion industry.
The simplest way to separate all the models from each other is to ask yourself whether the model advertises everyday life clothing or lingerie.
What Skills, Traits, and Qualifications Do Lingerie Models Need?
Most people think that being a lingerie model—or any type of model—is easy. The truth that most people don’t realize, however, is that being a lingerie model requires certain skills, traits, or qualifications.
Let’s start with the obvious: having a magnificent physique.
Although we can say that anyone can wear lingerie, the undeniable fact is that models who want to advertise it must look good in it. Wearing lingerie is akin to wearing underwear and having your pictures taken while wearing it. Obviously, you would want to look good while doing it.
Another important trait or qualification is having some physical features that lingerie agencies can highlight, market, or promote. These are features that, for lack of a better word, came with you the moment you were born, such as your eyes, breasts, height, legs, and arms.
You don’t need to have it all (does anyone?), but having one or two natural attractive features can help you better wear that lingerie in front of thousands, if not millions, of people.
Finally, it’s important that you have a strong work ethic, patience, the eagerness to learn, and the ability to adapt to any situation or circumstance.
Sure, having to do a “simple” pose or having your picture taken for money may seem like a fun dream job, but it’s not as smooth a ride as you might think.
Being a lingerie model involves working with several, if not hundreds, of workers and designers. The hours can be grueling, and changing sets, makeup, and underwear can and will be very tiring. There’s also a lot of modeling concepts, techniques, and movements that you need to learn (assuming you’re just starting out).
This is the reason we often hear models say that it’s a hard industry and not everyone has the courage or strength to make it. Yes, everyone’s experiences with modeling vary, but if you want to become one of the top models in the lingerie industry one day, then you need to have these skills to better your chances to succeed.
What Do You Need to Do to Become a Lingerie Model?
The easiest route to becoming a lingerie model is to have an agent represent you. How you meet a lingerie model agent or anyone highly connected in the fashion industry, however, can be a matter of luck or persistence.
For the lucky ones, they may have had lingerie model or brand agents approach them, themselves. This, of course, is a shot in the dark and most likely happens to about 0.001% of people around the world.
Thankfully, we have another option, and that is being persistent.
Basically, you will contact lingerie model agents or company agents themselves. Most modeling companies have a website where you can submit a portfolio, among other requirements. From there, you can only hope for the best. Whatever happens, though, make sure not to forget to include your contact details for when you make a submission!
Now, let’s talk about your portfolio.
If you have a friend that has a high-end camera and can take your pictures, good. But going to a professional studio would be your best bet.
When having your images taken, always remember to have a special trait or feature that’ll stand out to an agent. Remember, these people likely receive hundreds or thousands of applications on a regular basis, so having a portfolio that can grab their attention is key.
One way to do it is to have your images showcase some style. Be enticing. Be confident. Have a strong personality. Show them you deserve to be on a runway, that you are a queen. Show them you can become their future star.
Lingerie Brands You Can Start With
Victoria’s Secret may be one of the most well-known brands in the world of lingerie modeling or lingerie lines, but they’re not the only one. Unless you’re confident that you have a set of one-in-a-million physical features, you’d likely do better to start with smaller companies or businesses that have a small but growing lingerie line.
We can’t name some lingerie brands here, but what we can tell you is that there are a lot of modeling agencies that can help you get your foot in the door. Online job market websites also have modeling job posts you can check out.
But if you want to try your luck or you feel confident about it, try to reach out to Victoria’s Secret, Elle, or Darkest Fox. You’ll never know where life can take you if you don’t try. Just don’t forget about us when you’re finally on the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show!
An Important Reminder About the Lingerie Industry
We want to clarify one important aspect of being a lingerie model, and that is body positivity.
Now, we mentioned that having a magnificent physique is a trait or qualification that an aspiring model should have. We can separate this physique requirement into two categories: those you can control and those you cannot.
An example of a physical trait you can control is your weight. If you have the patience, commitment, and dedication for it, you can work out and change your weight to become more fit and attractive.
Opposite of this are the physical traits you cannot control. These are traits you have because you were born with it. It’s your genetic wiring. And unless you undergo surgery to change them, you are going to be stuck with them for the rest of your life.
There is also a gray area that exists between these two, and that is understanding what being “attractive” means. A recent body positivity movement claims that being attractive neither means having a superb physique nor a fit body.
Another aspect of this is the call for “loving one’s body,” no matter how or what it looks like. This has spurned a new type or breed of fashion models, like plus size modeling.
If you have a stand about these movements or concepts, by all means, support it. But the most important part of becoming a lingerie model or any type of fashion model is that it should make you feel confident with your body and your skin.
We cannot control what makes other people happy, but we can control what makes us happy. If you’re happy with your body as it is, then there’s no need to change it just so you can become a lingerie model. Alternatively, if you’re happy and you feel like you could do better to become a lingerie model, then, by all means, work hard for it!
Closing Thoughts
Models like Ashley Graham, Dita Von Teese, and Alexis Ren are rare. We can only hope to be them or we can simply admire them. What matters most is that you recognize the true value of your skin, your own curves, and your own style. Once you see this value, maybe one day you’ll end up becoming a Victoria’s Secret Angel. So, get out there and do it!
