Modeling in · France
Working as a model inParis.
Updated Oct 3, 2026
The capital of couture, and Europe’s biggest e-commerce volume. What changes when you work as a model in Paris — seasons, agencies, money — and what Odette keeps in order from your phone.
Paris is the capital of couture and Europe’s biggest e-commerce volume: fashion weeks in February–March and September–October, couture in January and July, castings around them. Agencies take about 20% and pay 60 to 90 days end of month; an agency job is salaried. No visa for EU citizens.
Modeling in ParisThe visaWork authorisation (autorisation de travail) — not needed for modelling stays of three months or less — service-public.gouv.fr
The year in Paris.
The seasons that matter on this market, and the casting weeks that precede them — placed on your calendar in advance.
The year 2026
12 months · what matters on this market
Jan
Couture · Menswear
Castings
Digitals
Feb
Castings
Mar
Womenswear fashion week
Apr
May
Jun
Menswear
Jul
Couture
Aug
Digitals
Sep
Womenswear fashion week
Castings
Oct
Womenswear fashion week · cont.
Nov
Dec
Digitals
SeasonsCastingsWhat Odette reminds you of
The Paris market.
What gets shot here, how the agencies work, at what rhythm the work arrives.
Haute couture and the big houses for shows; luxury campaigns; and above all a huge volume of e-commerce, catalogues and press. A Paris career lives on e-shops as much as runways.
Licensed agencies, from the big international network to the twenty-model boutique. An agency model is presumed an employee: payslip, contributions, net paid. Image rights are paid separately.
Two casting peaks — January–February and August–September — then e-commerce all year. August is quiet: it’s the month for digitals. December slows, January restarts with couture and menswear.
Money in Paris.
A fee paid as salary, image rights on their own line, client terms then agency terms, rebilled expenses and direct work you invoice yourself: five lines to know before the first job — and to find on every payslip and statement.
Paid as salary by the agency, never below the IDCC 3252 collective agreement’s grid (from €199 gross a day, 2025 amendment); ≈ 20% commission and contributions deducted
A separate royalty, often the largest line on a campaign
Client → agency at 30–90 days end of month, agency → you at month close
Comp cards, book, sometimes courier — read the cap in the contract
Possible for e-commerce and small brands; you invoice under your own status
Commission, terms and dates as of September 2026 — a market moves, and a contract always wins over a page.
Three things she does here without being asked.
- 01Reshoot digitals in early August and early January — the two moments when bookers prepare the season.
- 02Show castings land one to three weeks before fashion week: keep those weeks free, and the availability link ready.
- 03An agency statement is read line by line: the commission, the expense, the net. A “miscellaneous fee” is questioned in writing.
Agencies in Paris.
Agencies with an office in Paris, each opened on its own site in September 2026. Check its licence and its contract before you sign.
Elite Model ManagementA Paris office of the Elite network, with mainboard, development and talent boards.
Its site ↗
Women ManagementThe Paris agency of the Women network, also in New York, Milan and Los Angeles.
Its site ↗
Viva Model ManagementWomen, men and talent, from Paris, with offices in London and Barcelona.
Its site ↗
Metropolitan ModelsA Paris group with four divisions: Metropolitan, Makers, M Management and Urban.
Its site ↗
Premium ModelsA Paris agency with women’s boards (image, future, mainboard) and a men’s board.
Its site ↗
Select Model ManagementA Paris office in a network that includes London, Milan and Stockholm.
Its site ↗No agency on this list should charge you to sign. Odette does not place models; this list is informational and not a recommendation.
Frequently asked
Do I need to live in Paris to work there?
No, but castings are in person and come in bursts: a base in town, or an agency that offers an apartment for the season, changes everything.
What status in Paris?
With an agency you’re an employee: the agency runs payroll. For a direct job you invoice — usually as a micro-entrepreneur. Odette handles both.
How long until I’m paid?
Often 60 to 90 days end of month on the client side, then agency payroll at month close. Odette puts every fee on its bar.
Keep the money straight in Paris.
The two screens that answer the questions this page raises: what you are owed, and what the agency has actually paid.
Other cities, same rules
A career often plays out on two or three markets at once. Odette keeps each one’s currency, terms and contract.
