Former model and agent Carole White chatted to Steve Wright on BBC Radio 2’s afternoon show earlier in the week about being a model agent, what it takes to make it in the fashion industry and how scouts find the next big thing. The team here are Talent Management were eager to hear the outspoken model agent’s tips and secrets on how to become a model.

The 63-year old was asked by Steve and Tim what it was like running her model agency Premier Model Management, which she founded in 1981 with her brother. Ladies modelling was their core business and Carole used to represent Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford and Christy Turlington in their supermodel heyday.

When asked how easy it was to become a model, the Premier Model agent said, “In the 90s it wasn’t as hard to become a supermodel (as it is now)… there were less models around… John Casablanca made them special and branded them”.

White told Steve that ‘it’s hard’ to become a supermodel now as they didn’t used to have to be as tall (models in the 90s were usually 5’8” and over whereas now it’s more like 5’10” / 5’11”). The former model also suggested that potential models nowadays may be the tall / pole-like girl in school – perhaps a netball player. But one thing is for certain, they often have to be ‘odd-looking’…

Carole explained to listeners that Russell Marsh (Casting Director for Prada) has a talent for finding girls that are deemed ‘odd-looking’ and making them an overnight success:

“The models get more beautiful as their career progresses… as their confidence grows their beauty grows.”

Marsh has launched some of the most successful models in the business, he told The Telegraph in March:

“I am always asked about what I look for, but I find it hard to put into words. Casting is such an instinctive thing. I adore Lara Stone. She looks like something out of a Vermeer painting. I saw beauty, but I also saw imperfection, which is what I like about the gap in her teeth. There was a feeling that she was insecure about it; there’s something wonderful about seeing the beauty in people that they themselves don’t necessarily see. Lindsey Wixson is extraordinary – she looks like a Tiny Tears doll. Daria Werbowy has that aristocratic, androgynous look I love.”

Male models, on the other hand, are much easier to find according to White who believes that young males are more likely to be fit and in-shape compared with young girls. When asked if male models need to have any specific attributes she said it doesn’t really matter what they look like as long as they have “high cheek bones” and “good bodies”.

Premier Model Management have four scouts that scour the UK regularly for fresh new talent to places such as Primark and Topshop as well as festivals.

Carole also mentioned that the agency is very against eating disorders and they regularly attend eating disorder seminars. They want female models to be ‘athletes’ and encourage them to go to the gym and provide them with a nutritionist.

If you think you might have a unique or even ‘odd’ look and could be the next big thing you can apply via our website.