WANA (Mar 06) – The modeling industry in Iran, despite cultural and legal restrictions, has seen significant growth in recent years. The emergence of social media as a platform for introducing new talents has turned this industry into one of the hot topics in society.

 

However, alongside new opportunities, there are also various challenges and obstacles for those active in this field, ranging from strict regulations to a lack of professional support, as well as abuse that occurs in the absence of sufficient oversight.

 

One of the serious challenges in this field is the wave of deceiving girls and boys and abusing them under the pretext of modeling in the virtual space, which is increasing in Iran. Instagram has become the main platform for fashion and modeling advertisements in Iran, but at the same time, it has also turned into a platform for various frauds.

 

Numerous reports of financial and even sexual abuse in this field are recorded daily. In recent months, the Iranian police have also taken measures to confront these opportunistic individuals.

Angels Modeling Agency is one of the well-known Iranian Modeling Agencies in Iran. angelsmodel.com/ WANA News Agency

For example, in one case, a man in Fardis, Karaj, introduced himself as the owner of a clothing brand and posted job advertisements for models, drawing his victims to his personal Instagram and Telegram pages. After gaining their trust, he engaged in fraud and extortion.

 

The county’s police commander stated that this fraudster, by promising high-income modeling jobs and other false claims, extorted his victims after obtaining inappropriate and private images from them.

 

In another case in Mashhad, a young woman was deceived by an individual who promised to make her a model abroad and send her to foreign countries. After exploiting her and obtaining her photos, he threatened to release them.

 

When the woman reported the incident to legal authorities, the perpetrator was arrested. Upon examining his system, additional inappropriate images of other women were also discovered.

 

Nevertheless, modeling in Iran goes beyond these challenges and has become a part of the fashion industry that continues to progress despite all restrictions.

 

History and Evolution of Modeling in Iran

In the past, modeling activities were mostly limited to local shows or specific fields. However, with changing perspectives and the expansion of modern advertising, this industry gained broader recognition in Iran.

 

Today, modeling has grown through advertising projects, fashion trends, and social media, becoming an important part of the fashion industry.

 

Restrictions and Challenges

One of the most significant barriers facing this industry is the regulations concerning dress code and hijab. Models are required to adhere to religious guidelines, and, for example, modeling styles that include revealing or bodycon clothing or the full display of women’s hair are prohibited. Modeling regulations in Iran also apply to foreign women models, who must comply with Iranian dress codes.

 

Beyond legal restrictions, social pressures and traditional perspectives also pose challenges to the growth of this profession. Many families view modeling critically, considering it a distraction that pulls young people away from academic and scientific pursuits. However, in today’s society, this perspective has somewhat softened.

 

The conservative stance stems from concerns over the profession’s uncertain future and the lack of sufficient support for models. Additionally, the absence of standardized contracts and proper educational infrastructure has left many models in Iran vulnerable to exploitation by intermediaries and unprofessional individuals.

Iranian model. Social media/ WANA News Agency

Income and Methods of Operation in Iran’s Modeling Industry

According to 2022 statistics, the daily income of models in Iran is estimated to range between $22 to $167 (2 to 15 million tomans). Work in this field is mostly freelance, conducted through modeling agencies and modeling competitions. However, the number of professional agencies in Iran is limited, and modeling competitions are rarely held.

 

Many models in Iran primarily earn income through online platforms such as Instagram and Telegram, though their earnings are significantly lower compared to their international counterparts. Due to domestic restrictions and international sanctions, Iranian models are not connected to global brands and mostly rely on local advertisements, which is one of the main factors hindering the industry’s progress.

 

Model Selection Criteria in Iran

The criteria for selecting models in Iran are similar to those in other countries. However, for catwalk modeling, considering the national average height, the suitable height for women is above 170 cm and for men above 184 cm. In photo modeling, however, height is less important. It is worth mentioning that in Iran, photo modeling holds a higher status compared to catwalk modeling.

 

There are no strict age limitations for entering this industry. Some agencies set the minimum age for collaboration at 3 years, while others require models to be at least 18 years old.

 

International Restrictions and the Migration of Iranian Models

Compared to neighboring countries like Turkey, the UAE, and Dubai, Iran is practically unable to compete in this industry due to legal restrictions. The absence of foreign brands due to sanctions as mentioned before and the lack of internationally recognized domestic brands are among the other challenges facing this industry.

 

For all these reasons, many Iranian models migrate to other countries to advance their careers, and some even receive guidance from Iranian expatriates in the industry on YouTube regarding migration opportunities for models. Under these circumstances, the development of modeling agencies, legal oversight and more support could prevent many of the issues mentioned.

 

Islamic Hijab Modeling. Hamiim_collection Instagram page, which is an Islamic Iranian women’s clothing shop/ WANA News Agency

Islamic Hijab Modeling: A Different Approach

One of the emerging branches of modeling in Iran is Islamic hijab modeling, which has gained popularity both in Iran and other countries. This branch, by adhering to cultural norms, provides a way for models to work within the framework of domestic laws.

 

Iranian brands active in this field strive to modernize and make the industry more competitive by offering innovative designs. For example, Islamic fashion boutiques use female models wearing full hijab and modest attire without facing any restrictions.

 

Experts in this industry believe that despite all these challenges, Iranian models would find a way to work under the country’s framework as well as the ones in Islamic hijab modeling, and they’re optimistic about the future of this Industry in Iran.