The modelling industry is full of glamour, attracting both male and female models. Although primarily young adults take over magazines and runways, the modelling industry has a wider view than that, giving opportunities to people regardless of their age. The industry is about one’s talent; if you have faith in your ability to walk the runway or be on the front page of a fashion magazine, you are the right fit.
Age requirements can vary for people of different ages; everyone would have their own checklist to fulfil. In today’s world, billboards vary at every mile, with faces that can range from a baby to an old person.
1. What Age Group Do You Fall Into?
1.1 Young Models
In this category, there are two types: one that includes young children and the other that includes teenagers. Young children fall in the age group of 0 to 12, while teens fall under 13 to 19.
Both are utilized to cater to their demographic audience. Young ones are used to promote things such as kids’ fashion, toys, and baby products. Teens must sell things such as technology, teen apparel, and fast food. ‘Generation Model Management‘ is one of the many agencies in the USA that caters to young models. This agency accepts kids between the ages of three months and 15 years.
Making their child a model is a dream for many parents, as starting at a younger age gives them more experience, which further helps them with casting directors. There is no perfect age to begin modelling; it can be as early as a baby is born or when that person becomes old. Child models have also become a job in recent years; there have even been fashion shows where they walked the runway alongside adult models’ children.
Here are some examples of well-known models that fit under Young Models: Cooper Lunde, a 10-year-old model from South Korea. 13-year-old model twins, Ava Marie and Leah Rose from the USA. 18-year-old model Jade Weber from the USA.
1.2 Adult Models
As the name suggests, this category focuses on models aged 20 to 40. This age group is most often seen on runways and in magazines, as its presence in the modelling industry is significantly higher than that of the other two age groups.
Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Marc Jacobs, Dior, and Prada are top fashion brands that primarily showcase their products for this age group. This age group tends to dominate most of the modelling industry as it represents versatility and has a larger market demand.
A model agency would require models that have the power to attract a larger audience; hence, many agencies, fashion designers, and casting directors prefer working with adult models because they have gained more recognition since the early days. Plus, most fashion modelling aspirants start modelling when they grow out of their teenage years, thinking that will give them more opportunities, which is true to some extent. However, at the same time, some models start at a younger age, giving them an advantage when they reach adulthood.
Top supermodels like Kendall Jenner, Gigi Hadid, Bella Hadid, Lucky Blue Smith, and Sean O’Pry fall into this age group. They have been seen on billboards, magazines, runway shows, and everyone’s mobile phones for e-commerce. There are ample opportunities for female adult models in the modelling industry.
Their popularity attracts many to begin modelling in adulthood, forgetting that some of them started early before reaching the position they are in today. But then again, this is solely based on one’s talents; be it a 12-year-old, a 26-year-old, or a 50-year-old, it will always be their ability to model that will lead to their success.
A large presence in the fashion industry gives this age group a little more significance in the modelling industry. Ideally, this may seem like the best age for a model, but then again, remember, there are other opportunities present too.
1.3 Senior Models
One’s modeling career and a model’s confidence should not end after 40, an age after which stereotyping begins in the fashion industry. Many modeling agencies run for people over 40, giving people the hope they need to continue or begin their careers in this field.
Someone over 40 who wishes to enter the modelling industry should flaunt their natural features, showing grey hair and wrinkles, because that is what the new-age industry needs. With the increase in life expectancy, an audience wishes to see their reality in modelling.
Many believe that clients tend to be young beauties at their best age, but this is not the case in many scenarios, as with the changing times, the thinking is also being influenced, giving everyone an equal chance at being the male or female model to run during a fashion week.
Many models have seen success even after being old; Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Kate Moss, and Claudia Schiffer are supermodels who fit perfectly under the term ‘ageless beauty’ as they still walk the runway shows with the same confidence. Age is just a numerical term; it does not define who gets to be a model; it is your conviction and ability that determine this.
2. Why is Age Considered?
2.1 Target Audience
One has to understand that different brands cater to different audiences. If the majority of customers are young children, then child modeling will be needed. Similarly, for the other age groups.
If a certain age group needs the product, then they will certainly have a front foot when it comes to being selected. The target audience plays a vital role in the selection of models, and age does matter here, so you should look for brands that need you at your age.
Demographics Drive Engagement and Growth
Ryan Esco, the Chief Marketing Officer at FireRock Marketing, explains the impact of audience demographics on brand model selection:
“In my role as the Chief Marketing Officer at FireRock Marketing, I’ve had the privilege of working closely with small- to medium-sized businesses, crafting marketing strategies that leverage the significant power of target audience demographics for model selection in advertising campaigns.
My extensive experience over 25+ years spans various industries, where understanding and applying nuanced demographic insights have been key to driving growth and engagement.
A particular case that stands out involved collaborating with a health and wellness brand that targeted middle-aged women looking to adopt a healthier lifestyle.
We meticulously selected models who genuinely represented this demographic, not just in appearance but in lifestyle and values, resulting in a campaign that significantly increased website traffic and membership subscriptions.
Another instance that underscores the vital role of audience demographics in model selection was a campaign for a tech startup aiming to introduce a new app targeted at young professionals.
Leveraging analytics, we determined that our target audience preferred content that was not only informative but also visually appealing and innovative.
We chose models who were tech-savvy, vibrant, and mirrored the professional but casual demeanor of our audience.
The campaign utilized digital platforms where our demographic spent most of their time, leading to a high engagement rate and app downloads.
This strategic alignment of model selection with demographic preferences showcased the indispensable value of deeply understanding your audience.
Through these experiences, it’s evident that tapping into the precise characteristics of your target demographic for model selection isn’t just beneficial; it’s crucial. Tailoring our models and messaging to reflect the demographics’ preferences and behaviors resulted in marketing that resonated on a personal level, driving both engagement and conversions.
This process of alignment, supported by data and a creative, nuanced approach to marketing, has been pivotal in each successful campaign I’ve managed.
The deep dive into audience analytics and the subsequent tailored model selection exemplify the powerful impact of demographic-focused strategies in creating compelling, effective marketing narratives.”
2.2 Breaking stereotypes
Since the ages, the fashion industry has shown adult models with a certain body as part of the beauty standards. Still, with changing times and the influence of social media due to no hiding from the camera eye, the thinking is also changing. It is no longer a world where fashion models are selected based on their age and body but rather based on their talent and ability.
This is why old-age models have started getting more recognition and opportunities, as brands and agencies do not want to be seen stereotyping models based on age. Hence, all three age groups are now equally respected and needed, so even more modeling agencies are available that require a varied age range for the models.
2.3 Trends
They have been playing a major role in recent years due to the sudden emergence of a larger e-commerce market. With a wider audience easily available, brands and agencies cannot miss the opportunity to cater to all. Therefore, due to this advancement, the modeling industry requires models from different age groups.
2.4 Culture
Different types of cultural contexts mean that there will be different wants among audiences of different cultures. While some may prefer adult models who bring a fresh breeze of youthfulness, others may want senior models who come off as serious. Brands have to take cultural representation into account in order to form a loyal customer base.
Authenticity and Age Inclusivity in Ads
Casey Jones, Founder/Head of Marketing at CJ&CO, discusses how societal trends and cultural shifts influence model demand across different age groups:
“Societal trends have drastically reshaped the modeling landscape. There’s a growing demand for authenticity and representation—people want to see themselves in ads.
It’s no longer just about youth; there’s a surge in interest for models that reflect all life stages.
Cultural shifts are pushing inclusivity to the forefront. Marketers now recognize the power of diversity. We see a broader age spectrum in campaigns, from Gen Z to Baby Boomers.
The narrative is changing—it’s about real stories and relatable experiences.
The beauty standard is being rewritten. Brands are responding to calls for body positivity and age positivity. It’s a celebration of natural beauty, in all its forms. There’s this appetite for the ‘ageless’ campaign—marketing that speaks to all generations.
The impact on demand is clear—diverse age representation isn’t just nice to have; it’s become a must-have in marketing. It enhances brand relatability and trust.
Companies are tapping into the value of mature market segments, recognizing the purchasing power of older consumers.
In sum, it’s an exciting time when the face of marketing becomes as varied and dynamic as the society we live in.”
3. Conclusion
There is no age limit to being a model. It is the client or modeling agency that decides what age they are looking for. It is not the age that matters but the talent and dedication one holds, as the ideal age will keep changing in the varied range of the industry.
By embracing models of diverse ages, the industry continues to evolve and can enrich the narrative and resonate with its diverse audiences by ensuring that beauty and talent have no age limits in modelling. This is why today’s customers are seeking representation that reflects their own experiences and aspirations, calling upon brands and agencies to cast their nets wider when selecting talent.
The industry is a beautiful place with no restrictions on age, colour, caste, body type, or gender. There may be various reasons one brand may not select a particular candidate based on their age to model, but that does not mean someone else will not select them either.
Guest Author: Saket Kumar
Last Updated on by Pragya Chakrapani
