The Similarities & Differences in Fashion Models & Fashion Designers - Bronwyn Timmon

Fashion models and designers are essential members of the fashion industry. Without designers, there would be no new trends each season, and without models, designers would be hard-pressed to market their clothing to the public. Although designers and models both work directly with clothing, their roles in the fashion industry are markedly different.

 

Fashion Models

 

Fashion models pose for photographs for advertisements or participate in shows modeling the clothes and accessories that fashion designers create. Models are often thought of as living advertisements, because their job is to make other people want to buy the clothing and accessories they're wearing. They work with makeup artists and photographers and, in some cases, directly with fashion designers. Models may be employed by modeling agencies, commercial retailers or work independently as freelancers.

 

Fashion Designers

 

Designers are creative professionals who design and create clothing. They may run their own clothing line or create designs for commercial retailers, design houses and boutiques. Designers use art supplies and computer programs to create sketches and drafts of their designs before overseeing the final production of their creations. They work closely with the teams who sew and produce their garments, as well as creative directors and marketing executives.

 

Similarities

 

Modeling and fashion design are both considered difficult careers to break out in, as there are more people aspiring to enter these professions than there are available jobs. Models and designers both spend a lot of time working with clothing and accessories. Both maintain portfolios to demonstrate their talent and skills, and use these portfolios to market themselves to the public and to potential employers. Models and designers both travel for their jobs. Models may travel to photo shoots or meetings, while designers often travel to manufacturers and trade shows to sample fabrics and embellishments.

 

Differences

 

Designers work almost entirely behind the scenes, while models are seen as the faces of the fashion industry. Designers make considerably more money than models on average.

 

While models work on location and travel to various places to work, designers often work in a studio setting. Models secure work based on their physical appearance and posing abilities, while designers find employment based on their creativity and design skills.