Iam Rinaldi wrote:
My question is, if you want to be a model, or currently are a model, how come you have a gazillian of clothes, but not some that look similar to the ones in fashion magazines?

Not everyone can fit into trendy styles.

I am built like an athlete; NOTHING fits. This is one reason I prefer shooting nude work. I look terrible in clothing, nothing fits, and the clothing that does fit is too expensive for me to realistically purchase.

Marianne Michaela wrote:
okay. I have granny panties, but only because I'm a big fan of figurecorrecting underwear

but... why would people buy them? to  wear around the house? because they are so supersexy?

the only thing a model "must" have in my opinion, is:
a pair of high black heels
nude, strapless, seamless underwear
panties
a couple of tanktops
...

everything else depends on the model's taste I guess, women have different kinds of style. this summer it might be all about dresses, for instance, but if you're a jeans kind of girl...

Oh yeah I totally agree on taste, no doubt about that

But what amazed me is that for example the model has 100 pieces of clothing. She then notifies me in conversation the styles she likes and want to do for her portfolio. Gives me example pics, I check them out and see a style/theme that I can match with her, it looks logic to me you know. but then I ask her, if she got clothing that looks like the ones she showed me, and the answer is no.

So to me that is kinda odd. The model clearly has taste in a certain style, she as she said has always love that and that, like any other person buys clothes, but none of them match the style she likes.

I was thinking, maybe its the doubt. You see a piece in a magazine and not sure if it will look as good on you as on the model in the magazine? Is this something that is on a woman's mind during shopping?

Iam Rinaldi wrote:
As a man and photographer I absolutely don't mind that you shop loads of clothes, a lot!

But this is the part I don't understand. I have been in communication with a fair amount of models, both signed and unsigned and also at different levels of their careers. But during my conversation with them, specifically the wardrobe styling part, -in the case I am not lending wardrobe from a pr agency-, I showed every model several clothing that are stylish or at least in the trend at that given time.

Guess what, none of them have it. I am not talking about a 18K Chanel dress here, but something simple like the returning granny panties

My question is, if you want to be a model, or currently are a model, how come you have a gazillian of clothes, but not some that look similar to the ones in fashion magazines?

It could be the market I am in but its something that just amazes me. For example, I asked a slim model if she has a slim dress and she said no. She said, the ones that I do have are the ones that look like the cinderella dresses. You know the ones that look like a gown. So is it me, am I becoming too addicted to high fashion? A very pretty tall slim young woman, not having a slim dress.

Ok, not sure how you as a model would respond on this but to be sure, I am not ranting nor complaining or some sort. I am just curious what you actually do have in your closet and why there are so many of you out there that have nothing fashionable in their closets

Your port states this....

*I have a good relationship with several top agency models, model agencies and have access to wardrobe at several showrooms/pr agencies.

So why do the models need to provide wardrobe when you can ?//

Just a thought ~ MR

theda wrote:
After all, once it's commercially available, it's already out of date for a fashion shoot.

Yeah ok but this would be when you are really updating the wardrobe every season. I mean more in general.

If I give you cash and you can choose between buying 100 pieces, pieces that come in a dozen of colors, such as the brands H&M or American Apparel, or to buy 50 pieces of a not so cheap brand and the ability to create 10 great sets, all of them according to your taste and what you want.

Would you go for the 100 or for the 50 pieces? And why?

Images by MR wrote:
So why do the models need to provide wardrobe when you can ?//

Just a thought ~ MR

Because this is just a question to start a conversation, and is separately from what I can arrange. Not all of my shoots have a concept that I can use the brands I have access to.

I suggest reading my initial post again where I stated that this is not a rant nor complain, but based on curiosity.

Lars R Peterson wrote:
Is this question similar to asking if you shoot with a Hasselbad?
Isn't that what the pro's use? How can you seriously consider yourself a photographer if you don't have the newest full-frame Hasselbad and a truck full of Fresnel lights?

And... which fashion magazine are you using to set your standards? Vogue Paris - or Tuscaloosa Today? Many of the items I see in fashion magazines are not accessible to most people. it's a one-of-a-kind, only available in Brussels, costs $100,000, or like others have mentioned - maybe it only comes in a size 0.

I rarely 'expect' models to have anything I am looking for, but I agree that staples would include: nude thong, black heels, jeans, tank top, and a couple matching sets of bra/panty (black or white)

If you vision requires something more specific than that, then your plan should include a wardrobe budget, a clothing designer, or a wardrobe stylist who can acquire those items for you... or be flexible about what your models wear.

$0.01  (I don't know jack, so my opinion is only worth a penny.)

Maybe reading the replies from other would be handy

My question is based on curiosity. The curiosity of buying loads of clothing and yet still not able to make a decent match. I am not presenting nor intending to present myself as a specialist or some sort, its just an informal conversation to better understand women and wardrobe purchase decision-making process.

Iam Rinaldi wrote:
Because this is just a question to start a conversation, and is separately from what I can arrange. Not all of my shoots have a concept that I can use the brands I have access to.

I suggest reading my initial post again where I stated that this is not a rant nor complain, but based on curiosity.

It's a stupid rant, because models you want to shoot with don't have thousands of $$$ in wardrobe..... Simple!!

Just my thoughts ~ MR

Iam Rinaldi wrote:
As a man and photographer I absolutely don't mind that you shop loads of clothes, a lot!

But this is the part I don't understand. I have been in communication with a fair amount of models, both signed and unsigned and also at different levels of their careers. But during my conversation with them, specifically the wardrobe styling part, -in the case I am not lending wardrobe from a pr agency-, I showed every model several clothing that are stylish or at least in the trend at that given time.

Guess what, none of them have it. I am not talking about a 18K Chanel dress here, but something simple like the returning granny panties

My question is, if you want to be a model, or currently are a model, how come you have a gazillian of clothes, but not some that look similar to the ones in fashion magazines?

It could be the market I am in but its something that just amazes me. For example, I asked a slim model if she has a slim dress and she said no. She said, the ones that I do have are the ones that look like the cinderella dresses. You know the ones that look like a gown. So is it me, am I becoming too addicted to high fashion? A very pretty tall slim young woman, not having a slim dress.

Ok, not sure how you as a model would respond on this but to be sure, I am not ranting nor complaining or some sort. I am just curious what you actually do have in your closet and why there are so many of you out there that have nothing fashionable in their closets

To get around asking for something specific (which usually doesn't work, anyway!) I ask the model to bring anywhere from 5-6 outfits with her, of ranging genres, so then I can choose what I like best from there. It hasn't failed me yet

Re: models and clothes- most girls aren't making a ton of money off their modeling, so they can't afford to buy a dress that they're going to wear, what, once? if you're looking for something specific, a wardrobe stylist is going to be the best direction you can go!

Good Egg Productions wrote:
If you're a fashion photographer, why don't you have a Leaf Aptus-II digital back on a Phase One 645 DF camera?

Why don't you have 12 Broncolor heads and packs?

Why don't YOU have connections to boutiques with wardrobe you can pull?


It's often an issue of cost. Designer fashions are expensive. So is an H4D.

Again, Like Mr Lars above here, I am not asking why models don't have wardrobe like Vogue or ELLE. I am just asking why there are loads of models don't have something that looks like a fashion item in any magazine. For all I know the model loves the American Apparel catalog, yet not having one item from the brand.

Its just a nice conversation I would like to have with MODELS, and learn about their wardrobe purchase decision-making process.

I honestly can't understand why 1. non-models and even 2. men are responding to this question Please men, don't try to answer how women decide how they shop, only women can share the best answers about that

Iam Rinaldi wrote:
...just an informal conversation to better understand women and wardrobe purchase decision-making process.

Doubt that'll ever happen

Iam Rinaldi wrote:

Yeah ok but this would be when you are really updating the wardrobe every season. I mean more in general.

If I give you cash and you can choose between buying 100 pieces, pieces that come in a dozen of colors, such as the brands H&M or American Apparel, or to buy 50 pieces of a not so cheap brand and the ability to create 10 great sets, all of them according to your taste and what you want.

Would you go for the 100 or for the 50 pieces? And why?

Weird examples. American Apparel isn't cheap, at least not for the 80s gym clothes they sell. And if I could only create 10 outfits out of 50 pieces, I'd have a terrible arithmetic problem.

I'm not sure what you're asking.  If you mean quality over quantity, I don't see how it relates to your initial post.  But I will say my wardrobe was huge (slowly dwindling), but almost never fashion forward because that would have be a waste.

SPierce Photography wrote:
To get around asking for something specific (which usually doesn't work, anyway!) I ask the model to bring anywhere from 5-6 outfits with her, of ranging genres, so then I can choose what I like best from there. It hasn't failed me yet

Haha yeah I noticed this as well. Sometimes I am lucky that they actually have something similar but maybe a different color or pattern. But if its a small shoot for portfolio only stuff, no publication or so, than I will usually ask the model what her wishes are and have her bring her own clothes, usually clothes that she feels comfy posing in.

theda wrote:

Weird examples. American Apparel isn't cheap, at least not for the 80s gym clothes they sell. And if I could only create 10 outfits out of 50 pieces, I'd have a terrible arithmetic problem.

I'm not sure what you're asking.  If you mean quality over quantity, I don't see how it relates to your initial post.  But I will say my wardrobe was huge (slowly dwindling), but almost never fashion forward because that would have be a waste.

No not quality over quantity, every person has different tastes so I absolutely got that. But do you know MANGO http://shop.mango.com/home.faces?state=she_400_US

I am not sure if you consider this cheap or expensive, but anyway, I absolutely like the brand, I think its stylish and I also like how they design the campaigns. The model pointed me to the scarlett johansson campaign and that she absolutely adores what scarlett was wearing. I was instantly excited, like I said, I like the brand and its creations, so I asked her what she has and she said only a belt, a two trousers.

McWhinney Photography wrote:
Why not ask them what they do have or hire someone that can provide wardrobes. Unless I buy the outfit for the photo shoot. I can't expect them to have every outfit that I might get an idea for.

Yes I do this now. I used to start with showing what I have in mind but shifted to asking what they have. Unless the concept can be executed with the brands I have access to, in such case I just pass them the website of the brand so they can see the designs.

Images by MR wrote:

Your port states this....

*I have a good relationship with several top agency models, model agencies and have access to wardrobe at several showrooms/pr agencies.

So why do the models need to provide wardrobe when you can ?//

Just a thought ~ MR

because showrooms don't lend out clothes for simple tests or tfps. I have connections with some showrooms and the only time they lend if if is going to be an editorial and it's going to be published somewhere.

Rachel Jay wrote:

Doubt that'll ever happen

Hey, I have no problem in putting in the effort

Vance Lawson wrote:
You have a good point for models that don't do just fashion, but at the same time I think it's obvious some models don't reinvest money or invest much effort into a wadrobe because of the money and progess aspect of modeling.  Meaning that some models don't make money at all and therefore don't spend their money from other sources on modeling, and the progess aspects means that if you think of experience on a spectrum: unexperienced--TFP--some--paid--successful professional, that the ones further to the left do not want to invest in something they have never had success in (begining models for the most part).
There's no restriction on who can list themselves very experienced also which may skew your model searches. 

No offense to other models.  I think that some have had great success never buying a piece of clothing, but should feel fortunate for that and thank whoever got them started.

Ok so if I am reading this correctly, some models voluntarily create a catch-22 for themselves?

Iam Rinaldi wrote:
No not quality over quantity, every person has different tastes so I absolutely got that. But do you know MANGO http://shop.mango.com/home.faces?state=she_400_US

I am not sure if you consider this cheap or expensive, but anyway, I absolutely like the brand, I think its stylish and I also like how they design the campaigns. The model pointed me to the scarlett johansson campaign and that she absolutely adores what scarlett was wearing. I was instantly excited, like I said, I like the brand and its creations, so I asked her what she has and she said only a belt, a two trousers.

I'd consider that moderately expensive. I certianly wouldn't spend that much on disposable clothing. 

Were you asking that model what she had from that brand? Or did you ask her what she had in that exact style?  Because in either case, I wouldn't expect anyone (model or not) to have a wardrobe ready with pieces exactly like everything that happened to strike her fancy.  I may tell you I like the look of vintage Theiry Mugler, but I don't have a single vintage Mugler piece and I never will.

Angela Michelle Perez wrote:
I know some models who don't even own black heels ,stockings or tube top/strapless shirt. I was shocked. These are basic things every model should have. I always hear Models on the forums saying they spend so much money on wardrobe yet all the models I have shot never bring or come prepare with any basic wardrobe. Most come with whatever old thing they found in their closet

Yes, so you understand my curiosity right

Iam Rinaldi wrote:
Hey, I have no problem in putting in the effort

Come to Ohio and take me shopping sometime and I'll help give you a peek into that world. But be warned; it comes with a lot of "Does this make me look fat?" and "Does my butt/chest/waist look good in this?"

I have no job at the moment, though I am looking, and I am a full time college student. My funds are limited so I only buy things I can wear every day as well as on a shoot. Stylish, yet functional. This keeps me from buying more fashion forward items. But I do have quite a few dresses (both princess and slim) at my mother-in-law's house that I should grab...Those could be useful!

punkuate wrote:
Because models can't afford to keep up with high fashion generally. Neither can I, but I pick up stuff here and there that I can use on shoots, usually if something is mega cheap, I'll pick it up and worry about what model I can stick in it later.

Haha nice. I know some other photographers do this as well. It creates sort of certainty for yourself, even if you don't have a clue about when meeting a model that you can style with the clothes already bought.

Rachel Jay wrote:
Doubt that'll ever happen

Iam Rinaldi wrote:
Hey, I have no problem in putting in the effort

Well good luck.  Sometimes, I don't even understand my own thought process while shopping

theda wrote:
Were you asking that model what she had from that brand? Or did you ask her what she had in that exact style?

Both. From the brand and something looking similar. But she did had a gazillion other stuff from other brands like Zara and Bershka. But here is the cool thing, we both discovered later that she did have something looking familiar but she forgot having it

Jennifer R Rose wrote:

Come to Ohio and take me shopping sometime and I'll help give you a peek into that world. But be warned; it comes with a lot of "Does this make me look fat?" and "Does my butt/chest/waist look good in this?"

Haha I did that once with a friend of mine, she asked me to "style" her and she will buy whatever I pick. First store, I see 3 things that combined in a single set looks amazing on her, showed her, she likes it as well. Great I thought, until she walked to the big sale section and told me, "Hey, but from this section I can get 10 pieces for the same price", before taking a better look at the stuff that was for sale first

Iam Rinaldi wrote:

Ok so if I am reading this correctly, some models voluntarily create a catch-22 for themselves?

Some do and hope that they can find shoots that they do not have to supply anything for.  It's a vicious cycle when a model fails to get anything but TFP and afterwards no recognition.  It's different for every model, but this is common.  There are models who buy clothes, there really are for the points you made.  There are models who buy nothing hoping and sometimes getting success.