Teen guideAge 17For you and a parent

Modeling at 17

Agencies do sign teenagers, and they do it with a parent or guardian involved from the first message. This guide is text only: we don’t check photos, give scores or sell anything to anyone under 18.

The rules

What applies at 17

01
Kim Dawson (Dallas) holds open calls for new faces aged 14–22.[3]
02
Runway work starts at 16: no under-16s at New York Fashion Week (CFDA) or London Fashion Week, and LVMH's charter sets 16 as its minimum.[20][21][19]
03
Kering moved to 18+ for the models it casts as adults from 2020; LVMH stayed at 16, with night-work limits and a chaperone for 16–18.[19]
04
CFDA guidelines say models under 18 don't work past midnight during New York Fashion Week.[20]
05
In New York, print and runway models under 18 count as child performers: they need a Child Performer Permit, 15% of earnings goes into a trust account, and under-16s need a chaperone.[23]
06
Elite Model Look's minimum age is 14, and under-18s need parental permission.[33]
07
Heffner Management (Seattle) takes applicants aged 14 and up, and accepts phone photos.[5]
08
UGC platforms such as Billo accept creators from 18, so paid UGC work waits until then.[27]
09
30 agencies in our directory state a parent or guardian rule for under-18 applicants on their own pages, for example Elite Model Management (US), Wilhelmina and Next Management.
Elite Model Management (US) · Wilhelmina · Next Management · DNA Model Management · Otto Models · Photogenics · Nomad Management · Kim Dawson Agency

Before you send anything

A parent or guardian completes or approves the application. Many agencies say so on their own pages.
Send only plain digitals in fitted everyday clothes. Never send swimwear or lingerie photos.
Real agencies never charge you to apply, and never ask for payment to “secure your spot”.

Read the full guide for teens and parents and the scam checklist. Other ages: 13 · 14 · 15 · 16