China is undoubtedly the best market now
president of Esee Model Management in Shanghai, one of China’s largest modeling agencies.
Our company brings about 300 foreign models to Shanghai every year, and most of them use China as a training ground to become supermodels in New York, Paris or Milan.
Unless they are extremely talented, it can be really hard for models with just a few years’ experience to impress the big brands in New York or Paris and win opportunities. But they can accumulate work experience in China very quickly because of the considerable workload. Regular practice helps them mature rapidly.
Even young models from the United States and Canada are working in China because they know their first stop will never be New York, Paris or Milan, where only the top 10 percent of models ever get the chance to go to. That’s the industry chain of the global modeling circuit.
The cost of living in those three cities is extremely high, so agencies won’t waste time on greenhorns or anyone they are not 100 percent certain will be successful.
China is undoubtedly the best market for foreign models at present.
Back in 2004 when our company was first established, many countries in Asia were more attractive than China, but now it’s totally different because of China’s stable economic situation and the boom in e-commerce, which has created lots of opportunities for models.
One upshot of China’s rise is that the country is no longer a destination for inexperienced foreign models or those whose time is over, which was the situation a decade ago. China is now the destination for those aiming to compete in New York and other fashion capitals as their next step.
The pay for foreign models is competitive and the market is becoming more professional.
The taste of Chinese clients has also improved, which is an important element when foreign models decide where they want to work. Repetitive, low-quality work won’t benefit their career development.
Shanghai’s ambience is a key factor in its success. Many foreign models have told me that that the city is such a safe and cosmopolitan place, and the exciting lifestyle fascinates them and makes them want to stay.
Zheng Yi spoke with Zhou Wenting.