Alternative modelling is a branch of the modelling industry that features models who do not conform to mainstream ideals of beauty. Alternative models are often niche-specific, with a personal style that represents subcultures like goth

Goth subculture

The goth subculture is a contemporary subculture found in many countries. It began in England during the early 1980s in the gothic rock scene, an offshoot of the post-punk genre. The goth subculture has survived much longer than others of the same era, and has continued to diversify...

, burlesque

Burlesque

Burlesque is a literary, dramatic or musical work intended to cause laughter by caricaturing the manner or spirit of serious works, or by ludicrous treatment of their subjects...

, latex

Latex clothing

Latex rubber is used in many types of clothing. Rubber has traditionally been used in protective clothing, including gas masks and Wellington boots. Rubber is now generally being replaced in these application by plastics...

 and fetishism

Fetishism

A fetish is an object believed to have supernatural powers, or in particular, a man-made object that has power over others...

. An alternative model may for example be tattooed, pierced, or have distinctively subcultural hair (shaved, dyed a distinctively unnatural colour, or in dreadlocks

Dreadlocks

Dreadlocks, also called locks, a ras, dreads, "rasta" or Jata , are matted coils of hair. Dreadlocks are usually intentionally formed; because of the variety of different hair textures, various methods are used to encourage the formation of locks such as backcombing...

).

Alternative modelling can be clothed or unclothed.

Alternative modelling was given substantial mainstream media coverage in the last decade, partly through the creation and popularisation of community-based alternative modelling sites, like GodsGirls

GodsGirls

GodsGirls is a California-based alt porn website featuring softcore nude photography and video. The website also serves as a social networking community, featuring model and user blogs, email, discussion forums, original writing, and interviews.- History:...

 and SuicideGirls

SuicideGirls

SuicideGirls is a website that features softcore pornography and text profiles of goth, punk and indie-styled young women who are known as the "Suicide Girls"...

. Alternative modelling community sites promoted their models for their personality as well as for their looks and portfolio.

Markets

There are specialized publications that feature and promote alternative models, including Alt Fashion and Gothic Beauty

Gothic Beauty

Gothic Beauty is an American magazine established by editor Steven Holiday in the fall of 2000 after the success of the Internet social group of the same name. Gothic Beauty covers numerous aspects of underground culture including fashion, music, events and various forms of entertainment...

. Other magazines like Bizarre feature alternative models for visual emphasis for their features. "Metal Queens: Models" (Carnifex Metal eBooks) features alt female models that are into Heavy Metal music.

Personal adult pay websites exist for alternative models specialising in alternative porn, like Suicide Girls, Razor Dolls, and GodsGirls. Not all alternative models are associated with the porn industry. For example, Twisted Angels is one such outlet that touts itself as more artistic and community oriented.

Alternative models are often employed to promote niche products, either in shops or online, particular subcultural clothing shops and websites.

External links

• Modelling from the point of view of an alternative modelling agency - Article on what alternative modelling agencies look for in their models
• Rock 'n Roll Sinners Agency Alternative Modeling Agency