Elite models don’t just walk runways. They built their careers brick by brick, often starting with nothing but a snapshot, a stubborn attitude, and a bus ticket to a big city. There’s no magic formula. No secret handshake with a designer. Just grit, timing, and a lot of rejection they refused to let define them.
It Starts with a Photo, Not a Contract
Most elite models didn’t get scouted at a mall. They didn’t win a reality show. They sent 50+ digital portfolios to agencies and got 47 rejections. The one who replied? Often didn’t even ask for a full-body shot. Just a clean, natural face. A candid moment. No makeup, no filters. That’s what got them noticed. Take Gigi Hadid. She wasn’t signed by IMG until she was 16. Before that, she was posting photos on Instagram from her mom’s camera. Her breakthrough wasn’t a runway show-it was a single image of her laughing in a hoodie, standing outside a New York coffee shop. That photo went viral in modeling circles. Agencies saw her presence, not just her looks. She had something you can’t teach: authenticity. Same with Adwoa Aboah. She didn’t fit the traditional mold. She was taller, darker, and spoke openly about mental health. She got rejected by five agencies in London before one took a chance. That agency didn’t sign her because she looked like a model. They signed her because she sounded like a person.The First Big Break Isn’t What You Think
The first big break for most elite models isn’t walking for Chanel or appearing on a Vogue cover. It’s usually something small, quiet, and overlooked. For Naomi Campbell, it was a local London casting at age 15. She didn’t win the job. But the photographer noticed how she moved. He called her back a week later for a test shoot. That shoot ended up in a tiny fashion magazine no one read. But one editor saw it. That’s how she got into Paris Fashion Week. For Karlie Kloss, it was a modeling contest in St. Louis. She came in second. The winner got a contract. Karlie didn’t. But the judge, a former agent, liked her walk. He gave her his card. She called him the next day. She didn’t have a portfolio. She didn’t have experience. She just showed up at his office with a folder of photos printed from her laptop. He gave her a chance. The pattern? It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being persistent. And showing up when no one’s watching.They Didn’t Wait for Permission
Elite models don’t wait for agencies to tell them they’re ready. They build their own momentum. Lily Aldridge started as a teen model in California. She didn’t have the budget for professional shoots. So she used her phone, natural light, and friends as stylists. She posted those images online. Within months, she was getting direct messages from designers asking to collaborate. That’s how she landed her first major campaign-with a brand that had never hired a new face before. Same with Paloma Elsesser. She was told she wasn’t “commercial” enough. So she started her own Instagram series called “The Body Is Not an Apology.” She photographed herself in everyday clothes, no retouching, no poses. The response was overwhelming. Brands that once ignored her started reaching out. She didn’t change to fit the industry. She changed the industry’s idea of what a model could be.
It’s Not Just About Looks-It’s About Work Ethic
You think elite models have it easy because they get paid to look good. But the truth? They work harder than almost anyone in the room. A top model’s day often starts at 5 a.m. for hair and makeup. Then 12 hours on set. Then a flight across time zones. Then a fitting at 10 p.m. Then a call from the agency asking if they can do one more shoot tomorrow. And they say yes. Kendall Jenner once said in an interview: “I’ve missed birthdays. I’ve missed holidays. I’ve cried in hotel rooms because I was so tired. But I never missed a call.” That’s the standard. Elite models treat their career like a full-time job-even when they’re not being paid. They learn how to read a runway cue. They know how to adjust their walk for different designers. They understand lighting. They memorize brand guidelines. They show up early. They’re polite to assistants. They don’t text during castings. These aren’t glamorous skills. But they’re the ones that make agencies want to keep booking them.They Built Their Own Brand
The old model model-get signed, walk shows, do ads, retire-is dead. Today’s elite models are entrepreneurs. Cara Delevingne didn’t just model. She acted. She sang. She launched a jewelry line. She wrote a book. She became a cultural figure. That’s not a side hustle. That’s strategy. Bella Hadid has her own skincare line. She didn’t wait for a brand to approach her. She found a chemist, tested formulas for two years, and launched it herself. She didn’t need a magazine cover to validate it. She used her audience. Even models who don’t launch products build personal brands. They speak up on social issues. They support charities. They collaborate with artists. They become more than faces-they become voices. That’s what keeps them relevant long after the runway lights go out.
The Real Secret? They Had a Plan B
Most elite models didn’t think they’d make it. They just kept going because they had nothing else to lose. Tyra Banks worked as a cashier at a grocery store while she tried to break into modeling. She saved every dollar for travel. She took buses to castings. She didn’t have a manager. She didn’t have a team. She had a notebook where she wrote down every rejection-and what she learned from it. Naomi Campbell’s mother told her: “If this doesn’t work, you’ll go to college.” That was her safety net. And knowing that gave her freedom. She didn’t have to be perfect. She just had to try. The elite models who lasted didn’t believe they were destined for fame. They believed in their own work. And that’s what made them unforgettable.What You Can Learn From Them
If you’re trying to break into modeling-or any creative field-here’s what actually works:- Stop waiting for someone to find you. Start creating your own content.
- Don’t chase trends. Be consistent. Show up, even when no one’s looking.
- Learn the business. Know how castings work. Know how contracts are structured. Don’t be the person who signs something they don’t understand.
- Build relationships, not just followers. A single genuine connection with a photographer or stylist can open more doors than 100k likes.
- Have a plan B. Not because you think you’ll fail-but because it gives you the courage to try.
It’s Not About Being the Prettiest
The industry changes fast. What’s in now won’t be in next year. But the models who last? They’re not the ones with the most followers. They’re the ones who kept growing. They learned to adapt. To speak. To lead. To say no. To walk away from bad deals. To protect their mental health. To be more than a body. Elite models didn’t reach the top because they were perfect. They reached the top because they refused to quit.Do you need to be tall to become an elite model?
Not anymore. While traditional fashion modeling once demanded heights over 5’9”, today’s elite models come in all sizes. Paloma Elsesser, who stands at 5’10”, and Precious Lee, who is 5’11”, have walked for major brands like Savage X Fenty and Balmain. Designers now prioritize presence, movement, and personality over rigid measurements. Agencies are actively seeking diversity in height, body type, and ethnicity.
How do elite models get discovered today?
Most are discovered through social media, especially Instagram and TikTok. But it’s not just about follower count. Agencies look for consistency, authenticity, and engagement. A model with 10k followers who posts real behind-the-scenes content and interacts with followers is more valuable than someone with 500k who just posts selfies. Some are found by photographers who post their work online. Others get scouted at local events, art shows, or even coffee shops. The key is visibility-not perfection.
Is it too late to start modeling in your 20s or 30s?
Absolutely not. The modeling industry has shifted dramatically since the 2010s. Women in their 30s and 40s are now booking campaigns for luxury brands like L’Oréal, Chanel, and Gucci. Models like Carmen Dell’Orefice and Maye Musk started or reinvented their careers later in life. What matters is your look, your confidence, and your professionalism-not your age. Many agencies now have dedicated divisions for mature models.
Do elite models still need agencies?
Yes-but not in the way they used to. Agencies still handle contracts, negotiations, and global bookings. But today’s elite models often manage their own social media, collaborations, and personal branding. Many use agencies for runway and editorial work while running their own business ventures independently. The best models treat agencies as partners, not gatekeepers.
What’s the biggest mistake new models make?
They think it’s about looks alone. The biggest mistake is ignoring the business side. Signing a contract without reading it. Accepting unpaid work without clear terms. Not building a professional portfolio. Failing to understand their rights. Elite models know that modeling is a job. It requires contracts, invoices, taxes, and boundaries. Treat it like a career, not a fantasy.
