In 2015, I started the Coven Models because I wanted to do things differently than most long established modeling agencies, who sometimes treat models like they’re just one of many and easily replaceable. I don’t believe in such an approach. I also don’t want to pigeonhole models, which is why you find models of different ages, experiences, genders and body shapes on the same page.
Being extremely selective in who you choose to represent, allows you more time and resources to invest in the models you already have. And it works. My models regularly appear in the top-50 newcomers worldwide.
Creating a strong model and a lucrative career isn’t done overnight. It takes time, a lot of trials and tribulations, and patience. At The Coven Models we create a tailored approach to everyone’s specific situation. That way, it never gets too overwhelming and models know what lies ahead.
For those who read Dutch, here’s a column I wrote for LINDA.nl, here’s an interview I gave to Business Fashion Academy and here’s another interview I gave to Vrouw.nl.
Only if you work in fashion do you know what it’s like to work as a model. There is a lot of confusion about what it exactly means to work as a model so we tried to answer some of the most commonly asked questions. Is something still unclear? Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. One of our models gave an interview about what it’s like to be scouted and begin working as a model.
The Coven Models is primarily a mother agency. This means we prepare our models until they are ready to work. We also accompany them to their first few jobs. We then strategise and manage their careers. They are placed with affiliated modeling agencies abroad that focus on bookings in their respective countries, while the mother agent determines whether this is the best route to take and whether the model has not already been booked for another job. Mother agents are the only ones that keep the bird’s-eye perspective on a model’s career.
You cannot be a model for the rest of your life. Therefore, getting an education or at least relevant work experience is very important to us. Models are obligated to finish secondary school after which they could take a gap year to try out modeling. Our advice generally is to try it out for one year full time. If a successful modeling career proves viable then it is always possible to extend this year with another year or two before ultimately deciding to go back to school.
These days more than ever, a model can truly begin working at age eighteen. Luckily, there’s no limit age wise once you’re past eighteen. There are clients that want youthful models and clients who target more mature models so there’s work for everyone.
As a rule we always tell our models to never pose nude. Partial nudity is up to the discretion of the model and only considered when 18+ and for a well-established magazine or client. Models can always refuse to pose partially nude.
Being able to pose in front of the camera or walk on 5 inch heels doesn’t happen overnight. That’s why you need a bit of training before your launch. However, since most clients prefer 18+ models, we’ve decided that we’ll start the training process when models are 17. That way, you’ll have 1 year to prepare before your big launch as a model.
Models can always refuse a job. However, once committed to doing the job, it’s extremely unprofessional to cancel, which is why we encourage our models to double check their availability and ask any questions about the job they might have that informs their decision whether to do it or not. That said, we train our models to always speak up if they feel uncomfortable during a shoot and to let us know because we will intervene immediately. They don’t ever have to do something on set they feel uncomfortable with.
Being scouted by an agency abroad may sound great, but this usually doesn’t work out well. There’s a reason why it’s preferable to have a mother agent in the country you live in. Your mother agent ensures the contracts you sign are fair and industry standard. Moreover, mother agents create custom made strategies for your launch as a model, arrange test shoots and workshops to further educate you in modeling, and accompany you to important meetings. Most reputable agencies prefer to only sign models with mother agents in their own countries.
There are many people who don’t work in the fashion industry who pretend to be scouts. It’s wise to be very careful and to contact the agency directly to double check whether the scout really works for the agency. You can send the agency an email or a private message on Instagram also often works.
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