When I first started modeling, I thought castings were about being the loudest presence in the room. I would show up with hair too done, makeup too heavy, heels too high—and leave wondering why the soft-spoken girl in a vintage blazer walked away with the gig.
Years later, I understand: luxury brands don’t look for loudness—they look for restraint.
In the world of old money fashion, castings aren’t just interviews. They’re silent assessments. They measure how you carry yourself, not just your face. It’s less “strike a pose,” more “can she walk into a private gallery opening and not disturb the art?”
Here’s how I prepare now—for high-end, heritage houses and modern quiet luxury labels alike. If you’re dreaming of walking for brands like The Row, Loro Piana, Chanel, or even niche European ateliers, let this be your gentle but firm guide.
✨ 1. Grooming: Perfectly Imperfect
Luxury casting directors have seen it all. What they remember is real skin, clean lines, and a glow that doesn’t look “produced.”
My essentials before a casting:
- Brows brushed, not sculpted. I use Glossier Boy Brow in Clear to lift naturally.
- Nails clean or sheer polished. No neon. I often wear Chanel Le Vernis in Ballerina—a pale pink that feels refined.
- Skin luminous but not glossy. I prep with Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré and Shiseido Urban Environment SPF 42.
- Light perfume only if invited to stay. My rule? If they can smell you before they see you, it’s too much.
Hair tip: A low, neat bun or soft waves parted in the center is a universally approved look. Avoid overly styled buns with gel edges unless requested.
I once showed up to a casting with a “clean girl slick bun” from TikTok—flat, tight, severe. The stylist barely glanced. At the next casting, I wore a loose knot with a few wisps near the ears. The client said, “You look like you vacation in the south of France.”
Message received.
🧍♀️ 2. Posture: Own Space, Quietly
This is the biggest secret: how you stand tells the room everything.
Practice walking and standing like you’re balancing a hardcover book on your head—back elongated, shoulders naturally low, arms relaxed. Not military. Not limp. Think ballet, not battle.
In castings for luxury houses, I’ve noticed the models who book the job don’t perform. They exist. They walk with grace, not attitude. They hold stillness like it’s a privilege.
“She walked softer than the carpet,” I once overheard a casting assistant say.
I began practicing at home—barefoot, slow steps, feeling the shift of weight. In elevators. On sidewalks. It changed everything.
💬 3. Communication: Soft Voice, Sharp Mind
When you enter the casting room, you’ll usually get two things: a nod and a glance.
Your job is not to dazzle—it’s to read the temperature and match it with composure.
How I approach it:
- Say hello softly with eye contact.
- If asked to speak about myself, I keep it short and vivid:
“I’m from Lisbon, I studied ballet for 12 years, I love art history and walking museums alone.” - End with “Thank you for having me.” Smile gently. Leave space.
Avoid over-sharing. Don’t self-deprecate (“I hope I did okay!”) and never rush to fill silence. Luxury brands are fluent in pauses.
📁 4. Portfolio: Curation Over Quantity
When I first started, I showed up to castings with 25 pages of photos—beachwear, neon streetwear, experimental editorial, lingerie…
A senior booker once politely closed my portfolio and said,
“This is great, but not for us. We’re looking for timeless, not trendy.”
Since then, my casting portfolio includes:
- 1–2 clean polaroids (no makeup, hair back).
- 2 beauty headshots (natural light, minimal retouching).
- 2–3 full-body shots (in trousers, blazers, neutral dresses).
- 1 editorial spread from a quiet luxury brand—La Collection, Totême, or Sezane.
If you’re just starting out, consider themed shoots with photographers who understand the old money aesthetic—natural light, subtle styling, no bold poses.
Your portfolio should feel like a luxury boutique: curated, quiet, and unmistakably expensive without saying a word.
💻 5. Online Presence: Stealth, Not Static
Today, casting directors check Instagram before your comp card.
But luxury brands don’t want influencers. They want mystique.
What works:
- A muted, well-lit feed. Think warm neutrals, editorial behind-the-scenes, simple cafe shots.
- Consistent handle. I use @firstnamelastname or @modelname.jpg
- No oversharing. No messy stories. No drama.
Include this in your bio:
📍NYC | Paris
📸 Represented by [Agency]
DMs open for booking inquiries
And remember: even reposting every campaign you book can feel… desperate. Choose only a few. Let your work breathe.
To build a stealth-luxury digital presence, see this in-depth guide on model online branding.
✍️ 6. Personal Anecdote: “Speak Calmer, Walk Softer”
I’ll never forget the moment it clicked.
I was in Milan for a Fendi casting—one of the biggest names I’d ever stood in front of. I had just come off a commercial campaign in Berlin and was still in “camera-ready” energy. Smiles. Hair flips. Perfect posture.
The room was silent.
Then another model entered. Tall, unbothered. No makeup. Slightly undone bun. She walked like fog rolling in.
She said “buongiorno” like it was a sigh, handed her book, and just stood. Not performing—existing.
She booked it. I didn’t.
That day, I whispered into my journal:
“From now on, I walk softer. I speak calmer. I give them nothing—so they want everything.”
💼 7. Final Checklist: My Casting Prep Ritual
| Element | My Practice |
|---|---|
| Skincare | Hydrating mask + light face oil (I use Caudalie Detox) |
| Outfit | Slim trousers, vintage button-down, black ballet flats |
| Jewelry | None, or 1 tiny gold stud |
| Hair | Low bun with middle part, no visible clips or gel |
| Portfolio | Printed book + USB copy + AirDrop-ready version |
| Mindset | I walk like I’m already cast. I leave with quiet gratitude. |
You don’t need to have grown up in Mayfair or gone to Swiss boarding school to walk into a casting with old money energy.
You need:
- A calm presence.
- An edited book.
- A grounded, elegant walk.
- A voice like velvet, not volume.
Remember, luxury brands hire models who reflect their values—discretion, grace, and timelessness.
Show them you understand the assignment, without trying too hard. Because true confidence—the kind that lands campaigns—is always quiet.
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