When you picture a male model what image do you conjure up? Well, I’m hoping you’ll say this is an impossible task because the modern male model could be a man of any age, ethnicity, body shape or ability… I’m hoping you will answer me to say that today’s male model could be almost anyone […]
Published 19th February 2026
When you picture a male model what image do you conjure up?
Well, I’m hoping you’ll say this is an impossible task because the modern male model could be a man of any age, ethnicity, body shape or ability…
I’m hoping you will answer me to say that today’s male model could be almost anyone at all!
Look back to the last century – in fact, go back 35 years ago to when Models Direct was in its infancy – and things were certainly very different.
Back then, there were stereotypical images of what both male and female models should look like.
And this was because the fashion, modelling and advertising industries had very clear notions of how they should promote and sell their products.
They believed it was all aspirational – we would only buy into something if it was shown to us by someone looking as they imagined we might want to look.
And, for men, this meant a chap in his 20s, who was tall, ripped, tanned and conventionally handsome.
Over the years, however, there has been a dawning realisation that this image is largely one of fantasy.
In real life, very few people look like this and therefore hardly any of us are likely to identify with it.
There was also a growing awareness that many of us are far more likely to buy a product or service that is being promoted by someone who could be ourselves.
And, if not ourselves, then perhaps our son, father, grandfather, cousin, best friend or even the guy living next door!
Finally, it was time to start breaking stereotypes and embracing diversity – and Models Direct was only too happy to be right at the heart of this change.
Ever since our beginnings in 1990, we have been keen champions of diversity, difference and inclusion.
We have celebrated the unique and pushed hard for the industry to recognise the importance of using models of all appearances, sizes, ages and backgrounds.
And this is why we have always had a spectrum of all sorts of male and female models on our books.
Today, a huge percentage of the work we find is for everyday models – male and female, as well as children and babies.
These are people like us, our families and our friends – people who all look individual, people with different skin and hair colours and people who are tall, small, curvy or thin.
Some of these people are younger, some older, and some have disabilities.
So if you are a man who thinks he might enjoy modelling, for now, that is all that matters.
You do not need to have had any previous experience.
If you are confident you could step out in front of the camera, listen carefully and follow instructions, then why not consider giving it a go?
Take a few minutes now to browse our other blogs and flick through the reviews from our existing male models.
You will see just how diverse they are and can then consider whether to fill in our form and wait for one of our agents to call you to discuss it further.
Anthony, for example, accepted an assignment with Greene King, and told us:
“As this was my first assignment I did not know what to expect.
“I was made very welcome by other models and by the film crew as I am somewhat older.
“It is amazing what goes in to any filming to get it just right.
“Many thanks.
“I am a wiser old man!”
And Tim was asked to help promote a seatbelt extender.
He told us afterwards:
“I want you to know that my shoot on Friday turned out to be a 100% success and I was very satisfied to have undertaken this assignment.
“I didn’t understand the concept of the seatbelt extender at first but now I realise how useful it would be for plus-size drivers – and why I was chosen for the shoot!
“All in all, I cannot fault the afternoon’s work and upon leaving, they appeared as pleased with me as I was with them.
“I hope this product will become a roaring success and I feel pleased to have been a part in its launch.
“Thanks for the opportunity and hope to work with Models Direct again in the near future.”