How I Got Scouted as a Model - My Unexpected Journey Into the Industry
- Mimi Piqua
- Sep 6
- 5 min read
With fashion weeks approaching, I think it’s only right to tell you how I got into the modelling industry. A model scout. A goal. Never giving up & lots of screaming. The story of how I got scouted is not very conventional.
Subconsciously, I think I’d always wanted to be a model. The women in magazines were the coolest people ever to me. I started buying fashion magazines with my mum at the supermarket and thought, “Wow, they must be super famous” - how naïve I was.
Some of my favourite shots even made it onto my wall, held up with a 4 year old piece of blue tack. Now, not even 10 years later, it’s WILD to say I actually am one of those women. All because I was scouted at the ripe age of 16. At the time, I thought I was fully grown and had peaked in life. GCSEs: smashed. Started Year 12. Working part-time in a luxury department store. Girlie really thought she had it all figured out.
A 12 year old dream
I’m going to give you some backstory first because it’s necessary to the story development! Let’s rewind to 12, I begged my mum to take me to London to visit modelling agencies. How delusional I was to think that I was old enough to become a model when I hadn't even gone through puberty yet - and was max 5’1. (Thank god for the growth spurt.)
As a Year 7, I really thought I could be the next Kate Moss. That infamous picture of the most beautiful girl in the world really was my inspo from 2014- 2017. I used to Google “most beautiful girl in the world” and lowkey expected to see my own face pop up. Delusional isn’t even the word. 12-year-old Mimi was an icon… but also, such an idiot.
When Mum laughed in my face and said no, I waited it out. At 14, I begged again. Once again I was hit with a hard no. Thankfully by this point I was aware of the internet. So, I took matters into my own hands and applied to about 10 London-based agencies: Storm, Next, Premier, Milk, Models1, Select, Elite, Wilhelmina, Nevs, IMG. I applied to the lot & received a total of zero responses. Shocker.
Third Time’s the Charm
Fast forward to 16. I was scrolling through TikTok and saw some model diva living it up during fashion week in Paris, and thought: 'Why am I working part-time for pennies when I could be doing that?'
So I sent off some selfies and a little video - I can’t even remember where, but I do know Premier, Storm, and Milk replied. All within 48 hours. Going from zero interest whatsoever to then three major agencies emailing me? Insane. I’ve never known a feeling like it!
The Big Day
Picture it now. Great Western Railway, 4 lattes to calm my nerves (which actually did the reverse and made me shake like crazy instead) , and a trip to London with my mum to meet with three of the most prestigious modelling agencies in the country.
Milk Model Management: First on the list was Milk. As a 16 year old fetus I hadn't heard of Milk at the time and didn’t have any expectations because I didn't want to end up disappointed.
Milk were everything and more. We walked in, the entire team looked at me and I felt immediately welcomed and calmer. The scout that had reached out to me came over first and asked a few questions, to which me and mum tried to maintain calm and cohesive answers for. Then he went and discussed it with the head of the New Faces department and the other bookers.
I remember it so clearly! They all stood over at the main managers desk and peered over at me. After what felt like 20 minutes of deliberating the entire team came over to say hello. Which both overwhelmed and overjoyed me all at once.
The head of the New Faces department came and sat down with me and we had a little chat. To which she then ended by offering me a modelling contract. CRYING. I almost died on the spot, but had to remain composed and collected - particularly so because instead of saying “yes, yes, yes” like I wanted to. I had to say, “I have two more meetings to do today, I'll have to let you know.”
Nonchalant isn’t in my emotion list so this was a big struggle for me.
The entire team already felt like family and I knew Storm and Premier had a run for their money if they too offered me contracts. We went shopping in the break between meetings and I remember being in the changing room in Urban Outfitters and I was so excited I audibly squealed and had to jump up and down. Happiest girl ever.
Storm: We met with Storm next. I was already ecstatic knowing the remaining meetings could go awful and I already had a contract waiting for me! The most prestigious agency in London and my most anticipated visit of the day.
As we walked in, me and mum could already tell we didn’t like it. Weird vibe. I’m gonna throw a curveball here and say they rely on their name too much. You may have scouted Kate Moss but that isn’t enough to allow you to be impolite.
They were nice enough, took pictures and we chatted, they said they would let us know about the outcome in a few days, but the energy was so off. We both agreed: even if they offered me a contract, it’d be a no.
Premier: Warm, welcoming, and professional - they were lovely. The team was lovely and they made us feel so welcomed. We filled in forms, chatted with the heads of New Faces, and it was a great experience. I honestly don’t have a bad word to say about them. But by then, Milk had already won me over.
The Yes
I emailed Milk over dinner to tell them no one had beaten their unmatched vibe of happiness and friendliness. To which they responded almost instantaneously with a heartwarming picture of the whole team crossing their fingers, captioned with. “We’ve had our fingers crossed all day” It was a yes to Milk - who I have proudly been represented by for the past 3 years.
Having a modelling contract offered to me was an absolutely insane moment and something I'll always be proud of for putting myself up for and getting the process started myself. Maybe I was impatient, or maybe it was proactive thinking but either way I am proud to admit I got the ball rolling and made this happen for myself.
Sure, it’s a dream to be scouted at a festival or on a train, but if that doesn’t happen, don’t wait around. Be proactive. Take the selfies. Send them in. Do it for yourself.
If you’re feeling inspired, here are some of the best, most genuine agencies (in my opinion) to apply to:
Select - https://apply.selectmodel.com/
Make things happen for yourself - it feels even better that way.
With love, Mimi
xox
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