Berlin Fashion Week Model agency Casting Summer 2018 – Video
Once a year, Berlin transforms into the epicenter of Germany’s fashion world – and this very moment is more valuable for aspiring models than any regular application day. Right in the middle of the Fashion Week Berlin, CM Models held its own casting at the Club of the House of Weekend, directly at Alexanderplatz, one of the city’s most iconic locations. What happened there impressively shows how a professional agency casting really takes place – and what opportunities open up for models who are at the right place at the right time.
Why the Fashion Week is the perfect casting moment
The Fashion Week Berlin is not just an ordinary industry event. Designers, buyers, photographers, stylists, and scouts from all over Europe travel there – the concentration of industry expertise and networking potential is higher in no other German city at this time. That’s exactly why CM Models deliberately chose this moment to discover fresh faces.
Compared to the Big 4 Fashion Weeks – New York, London, Milan, Paris – Berlin is more accessible, direct, and clearly more realistic for newcomers. Anyone who knows the dates of the New York Fashion Week, the London Fashion Week, the Milan Fashion Week or the Paris Fashion Week knows: Berlin is the ideal starting point to enter the international fashion world.
For aspiring models, this means specifically: visibility during the Fashion Week creates a strategic advantage that no online application form can replicate. Anyone who applies now to a Model agency Berlin or attends a Live casting will be perceived under real production conditions. A successful Model Scouting can also open up opportunities for modeling abroad.
Berlin vs. other casting cities
| City | Casting Atmosphere | Entry Barrier | International Reach |
|---|---|---|---|
| Berlin | Open, urban, creative | Low–Medium | Strongly growing |
| Hamburg | Professional, commercial | Medium | Solid nationally |
| Frankfurt | Business-oriented | Medium–High | Strong in the advertising market |
| London | Highly competitive, international | High | Global leader |
| New York | Fast, professional | Very high | Global leader |
This is how a professional agency casting really works
Many aspiring models have unrealistic expectations of what to expect at a Casting bei CM Models. No glitter, no drama – instead, professional efficiency. The casting at House of Weekend was exemplary of how modern agencies operate.
The process from registration to decision
Preparation is crucial even before the actual appointment. Those who know how to prepare for a casting and bring a solid model portfolio for the casting make a positive impression. The scouts pay attention to overall appearance, posture, naturalness – and the small details that many underestimate.
At the Berlin casting, the applications ran in clearly defined blocks: check-in, polaroids, short walk-through, personal conversation with the scouts. Decisions are not made on stage – the follow-up discussion within the team is just as important as the first impression.
“What catches our attention immediately during a casting is not the perfect figure – it’s the energy. A model who knows who they are convinces even if the measurements are not yet ideal.”
What Scouts Really Evaluate
- Natural presence and posture
- Measurements in relation to the booking market
- Skin condition, hair, grooming
- Communication and self-confidence
- Professional demeanor from minute one
- Flexibility and willingness to learn
Requirements and Measurements – What Really Matters
One of the most common questions is: Do I need to meet certain measurements to even have a chance? The answer is more nuanced than many think. Those who know the requirements for models and understand the steps to becoming a model know: There is no single standard.
The classic model measurements and requirements still apply for high fashion and runway. Yet the market has changed. The minimum height for model agencies is no longer set in stone everywhere – more and more agencies are consciously looking for types that appeal to authentic target groups.
Curvy and Plus-Size: a growing market
For models who don’t fit the classic mold, a separate market has developed. A model agency without a minimum height is no longer an exception today – it’s a reflection of a changed market. Those who want to work as curvy models or are interested in models in larger sizes can find real career opportunities.
At the Berlin casting, all types were explicitly invited – agency casting today means diversity as a strategy, not as a concession.
Career and finances: What models need to know
Alongside the creative aspect, the business side of the modeling profession is crucial. Anyone who wants to seriously enter the industry should inform themselves early on – to avoid any unpleasant surprises.
Realistically assess earnings and costs
The question of how much a model earns cannot be answered generally – it depends on the market, segment, and booking frequency. Equally important: Do you have to pay money to a model agency? The clear answer is no. A model agency without fees is the hallmark of serious work. Anyone who is asked to pay upfront should be critical.
For orientation, it is recommended to take a look at reputable model agencies and compare them with the Top 10 model agencies in the German-speaking region. Whoever knows how to contact a model agency already has a decisive advantage over uninformed competitors.
Modeling as a side job – realistic or utopian?
Not every career has to start full-time. Modeling part-time is a sensible first step for many – especially when vocational training or studies are running in parallel. The Berlin casting has shown: A large part of the applicants were between 16 and 24 years old, many still in training. That’s why it’s important to calibrate expectations realistically.
- Part-time entry is legitimate and common
- First annual income rarely covers costs
- Agency contract protects against exploitation
- Regular bookings take time
- Network develops through continuity
Casting checklist: How to prepare optimally
Whether Berlin, model agency Hamburg or become a model in Frankfurt – the preparation for a professional casting always follows the same basic rules. Whoever proceeds in a structured way makes significantly fewer mistakes – and leaves the decisive first impression.
- ☐ Current application photo (natural, unedited)
- ☐ Body measurements currently measured and noted
- ☐ Model portfolio prepared or digital version ready
- ☐ Outfit: plain, body-hugging, no patterns
- ☐ Hair loose or neatly styled up
- ☐ Make-up: natural, no stage make-up
- ☐ Bring sturdy shoes for the walk
- ☐ Arrival planned 15 minutes before the appointment
- ☐ Research about the agency done in advance
- ☐ Runway basics practiced
- ☐ Questions for the scouts prepared
- ☐ Online application filled out via Apply now
Common questions about the Fashion Week casting
Do I have to be from Berlin to apply to CM Models?
No. CM Models operates nationwide as a model agency Berlin and works with models from all over Germany. International markets such as Become a model in London or Become a model in New York are also accessible through the agency network. The application can be submitted online at any time via Apply now – regardless of your place of residence.
How tall do I need to be for a casting at CM Models?
It depends on the segment. For classic high-fashion bookings, the usual model measurements and requirements still apply. For commercial jobs, curvy bookings or catalog work, the minimum height at model agencies is less relevant. If you’re unsure, you should still apply – scouts make individual decisions, not according to strict rules.
How much does the application or casting cost?
Nothing. A model agency without fees is the quality feature of serious agencies. Participation in casting, application process and first contact are always free of charge. If an agency asks for money in advance – for photos, portfolio or “registration” – this is a clear warning sign. More on this is explained in the article Should you pay money to a model agency?
What happens after a successful casting?
After a successful casting, a more detailed conversation with the agency team usually follows, possibly a test shoot and entry into the agency database. From there, initial booking inquiries are forwarded. Anyone who knows the steps to becoming a model and knows how to contact a model agency has a clear advantage in this phase. The exact next steps are also described in the article on requirements for models.
