There are few things more exciting for a model than working in the most beautiful and romantic city in the world, the City of Lights: Paris, France.

Renowned for its glamorous and iconic fashion houses like Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, Hermes, Lanvin, and Christian Louboutin, Paris is the ultimate and most prestigious destination for all professional models.

Model Statistics
Female models in Paris should be between 1.70m and 1.80m tall (preferably 1.50m to 1.70m) and have a bust, waist, and hip measurement of 34-23-33. Male models should be at least 1.80m to 1.90m tall and be able to wear a regular jacket size 38 to 40. Designers create their garments in a standard size or a so-called sample size. The models must fit the garments that designers create each season, rather than the other way around. Given the number of garments a designer produces for each collection, it would be impossible for a designer to make each piece fit every individual model.

Age Requirements
The legal minimum age for any type of work in France is 16 years old. Most top model agencies in France have a special permit for minors, but for individuals under 16 years old, incredibly strict working hours apply, so most agencies do not accept child models from countries outside France.

Learn Style, Class, and Sophistication
Paris is not a market for brand-new models looking to gain experience or prove themselves. Models should have already worked a bit in Asian markets like Tokyo, Singapore, or Taipei before venturing into the demanding Paris market. Other good markets to consider before going to Paris are Germany, Milan, London, and even Australia. Once a model has learned the basics of the industry, they are ready for the ultimate goal of Paris, where they will work for the most glamorous and demanding clients.

Employment Status
Unlike other model industries, models in Paris are considered employees rather than independent contractors. Models are paid monthly (like a salary), and even if the client does not pay, the model still gets paid.

As France is a socialist country, there are a lot of taxes. Models receive about 33% of their gross income. For example, if a model books a job for $1000, they will receive $300. 20% is deducted for agency commissions, and the rest is tax! Part of the tax funds goes towards unemployment and health insurance, as well as retirement.

High taxes and agency commissions are another reason why models should not go to Paris to learn the business, as it can be an expensive lesson. Models should only go to Paris when they know they have genuine potential for runway, editorial, or high-end advertising because that's where the prestige and money are. Most experienced models only travel to Paris to work on the "collections" and then move to other markets once the collections are over.

Arriving in Paris
Do not expect the agency to pick you up in a fancy limousine or meet you at the airport. Parisian agencies expect models to have some experience and be professional. Therefore, they expect models to make their own way from the airport to the agency or apartment.

Travel and Accommodation Costs
Some agencies offer to advance the costs of a model's flight ticket and accommodation, but it is expected that the model will repay this once they start working. Models should be prepared to pay for their flight tickets and accommodation in advance themselves and have money for food, subways, taxis, and tests.

Work Visa Requirements
Models who are citizens of Canada, the United States, and most European countries do not require a special visa or work papers for France. The agency must fill out the appropriate forms for international models, but this has no impact on the model.

Signing with an Agency
If you have what it takes to work as a fashion model in Paris, you should have a complete career plan and work with a manager or a good "mother agency." A mother agency knows the best agencies for your specific look and knows how to plan and manage your career in the long term.