What is an Editorial in Modelling?

If you’re an aspiring model, you’ll have likely heard the phrase ‘editorial’. But what is an editorial, and what does it have to do with modelling?

If you read Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar or Cosmo magazines, you’ll probably have already come across an editorial without realising it. Many models dream of featuring in one – they’re big news and can pay extremely well depending on your demand and exposure.

Read on to find out everything there is to know about editorials.

What is an Editorial?

In modelling, an editorial refers to a spread of photos, usually found in the middle of the magazine. Each photo tends to take up a whole page and they tell a visual story. They tend to range from four to ten pages long. The goal of an editorial is to sell clothing, shoes or accessories by making it look appealing and inspiring.

In the fashion industry, ‘editorial experience’ may also be referring to a model who has featured in a printed publication.

Many models dream of being the face of an editorial, particularly in big magazines like Vogue. Editorial photos are great ways to showcase your experience and expertise as a model, and they can really help to boost a model’s exposure and popularity in the industry. They’re also very creative and fun to do.

Editorial shots regularly feature movement such as running or jumping. Shooting an editorial can be time-consuming because the shoot director will already have a very specific image in their head of what they want the images to be like. A model may be asked to repeadely take the same image over and over until it is deemed perfect.

Editorials can be good fun but they are also a lot of hard work. They can require hours of waiting in a chair while hair and make-up is applied. They may aso require significant travel to far away destinations, depending on the shoot location. This could be anything from a beach or desert, to a forect, jungle or snowy mountain.

Editorial modelling can also be unfortunable; outfits can be creative and unusual, which means they may also be uncomfortable to wear. Women may have to wear high heels in random places, or you may need to wear many layers in a hot environment. Whatever is thrown at you, it is the model’s job to make it look easy, effortless and cool.

Who Does Editorials?

Magazines like Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar regularly feature high fashion editorial spreads within their magazines. The style of the editorial depends entirely on the theme and type of magazine; while clothing and accessories are always the main feature, props and locations can often be exotic, interesting and unique.

The type of model chosen also depends on the style and feel of both the magazine and the individual editorial. Catwalk models – those who are tall and willowy – most commonly feature in high fashion magazines. Commercial models tend to feature in Cosmo and Marie Claire. More athletic models will be selected for Men and Women’s Health magazines. Children and commercial adults of any age will be required for family-themed spreads.

Why Are Editorials Such a Big Deal?

Many models consider editorials to be a peak of their careers because editorials tend to set the trends and standards for the upcoming year. Editorials take a whole host of people to create; they are taken very seriously, and as such the model that is selected has a very important job because they will be the face of all this hard work. Successful editorials can really help to lauch a model’s success.

How to Get Featured in an Editorial

Models can get selected for editorial shoots if they are signed to a modelling agency.

To get signed to an agency, you need to have a strong modelling portfolio. A modelling portfolio is a lot like a model’s CV; it showcases some of their best photos to show potential employees their range, experience and skills as a model.

Models usually use work photos they have had taken in their portfolio – but what do you do if you don’t yet have any experience? It’s a good idea to hire a professional photographer to take photos of you at a proper photoshoot. This is the easiest and best way to get the high quality images you’ll need for your portfolio.

Once you have a portfolio, you can start applying to agencies. There are many out there and it is your responsibility to research and find them (this shouldn’t be too difficult as they tend to have a website). Once you have a list of your favourites, you can start applying. You can apply to as many as you like, as many times as you like, but a good rule of thumb is to wait at least 6 months before re-applying.

If you aren’t successful, keep going. Try not to get too despondent – you will be up against fierce competition, as many agencies claim to recieve hundreds of applications each week.

While you wait, use your free time to garner as much modelling experience as possible. You may have to do the odd free job, or jobs that pay via freebies like clothing. At this stage in your career, it is worth considering these opportunities just so you can get some decent experience that can be added to your portfolio. Once you are more established, you can ensure you get paid properly.

Nearly all models start working part-time initially; it can be difficult to get enough work to work full-time and pay the bills. However, as you become more established and recognised, you will earn more per job. A lucky few will find themselves really in-demand, and these are the models who can earn hundreds of thousands of pounds for their work.

Editorials tend to pay well because they like to use more experienced models. Payment can range depending on the magazine and the model’s demand in the industry.

We recommend you look at magazines each month and take particular notice of the editorial spreads in them. Look at the model’s that are selected; their body shape and overall look. Next, take a look at their facial expressions and poses. Can you replicate them? Practice in your spare time to get this right and it will really help.

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