Milan 01 Below are some
resources and advice about Milan and working there
Milan 01 Below are some
resources and advice about Milan and working there
I spent two months in Milan
digging, living, beating the sidewalk and I have learned many things. Now I am sharing
what I learned and what I created with you. It is a gift and you may interpret it as you
wish. My door to Milan was modeling. I am not what they market there normally, but, then
again, I have never been what anyone markets normally. I arrived and here is my first word
of advice: secure an agency before you go and if you would like a list of the better
agencies to see, here it is:
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Beatrice****
Via Vincenzo Monti ,47
20123 Milano
02-4692599
Via Boccaccio,7
20123
02-43982112
a boutique agency; because they are new and small, they are really picky about who they take. They like girls who can do both fashion and catalogue
Vian San Vittore,40
20123 Milano
02-481-2356
Via Monte Rosa, 80
02-480861
At the moment, I would say this is one of the best and strongest agencies in Milan
Via Guerrazzi,1
20145 Milano
02 345471
A smaller agency that only takes fifteen models or so at a time, but most of the people I met with there were happy with them
Via Tortona,14
20144 Milano
02-837-3010
good agency more catalogue than edge though
Via Eustachi,12
20129 Milano
02-294-04882
more of an acting and catalogue place than a commercial agency; very nice people
Via ALberto Da Giussano ,16
20145 Milano
02 48020126
Piazza Arcole,4
20143 Milano
02-8940075
Via Voghera ,25
20154 Milano
02-833-0101
they just got bought by Major so I don=t know if they will change, but I heard a lot of positive thing about
Via Revere,8
20123 Milano
02-499604435
Via B. Zenale,9
20123 Milano
02-485-331
Via Luptta,1
Milano
02-8545611
Now most of these agencies have websites and if you call, you can most likely send your book and Polaroids by email which will save time and money. There are other agencies in Milan, but from all that I heard and learned through first-hand experience, these are the ones that are more serious and who take care of their models. In October and January you have the shows. Milan is a good market all around except in July and August. It takes at least two months to get used to it and to get your feet wet.
1. Youre not going to make any money. Milan is for tearsheets and for getting a strong
book. One of the reasons you won=t make any money is because the agencies keep 50%. You
can ask them why when you get there.
2. Expect between 3 and 10 castings a day so be ready to walk. Milan is a bunch of circles
so it isn't so easy sometimes.
3. Most agency apartments are between $400-$800 a month. They will usually advance this
which means that you are paying for it out of your jobs after they take 50%. Hence the
reason you won=t make any money. Most model apartments are a mess and there are usually
too many girls for the place so be prepared. Or, if you=re lucky like I was, you can stay
with friends.
4. The agencies will loan you a phone or it is really easy to get one. They are about $100
and you can get them anywhere in Milan. You buy these cards and recharge your phone. You
will need your passport when you buy one. You can get a phone at any place that says Omni
Tel and is green. You must have a phone.
5.Most agencies will give you a gym membership for free.
6. If you don't have a book, expect to test. A test in Milan is usually between 200-400
Euros /dollars. The agency may front this, but you still owe them so remember when they
advance things that you are paying for it.
7. Prints, lasers and comp cards are cheap in Milan so stock up. There is a place called
RCA that I recommend. It is near the Cadorna stop. You can ask any agency for the number.
They have great service and are really nice.
8. As far as clubs go, Milan is known for being dangerous. I saw this first-hand. We all
like to go out and have fun, but please PLEASE, for your own safety, DO NOT GO OUT ALONE
because the drugs and the stories are true. If you go out alone, you are FRESH MEAT and
there are those who will EAT you. So be smart and go out in groups or at least with
another model. Also write down the address where you live and make sure you have money for
a cab ride home. Hollywood is cool if you can get in VIP. If not, be aware. It is messy
late at night. PR's will flock to you and let me fill you in. A lot of them work for the
agencies as well as the clubs. In Milan, modeling is the only thing there so they watch
you so if you are doing coke in the bathroom, chances are it will get around. In other
words, don=t be surprised if your booker finds out. At the same time, they may offer you
coke, so be careful. Now the custom is dinner then going out and dinner in Milan is nice.
I enjoyed myself quite a bit, so, as I said, you can have fun and be safe too. Just don't
take drinks from strangers because there are many, many girls who end up raped or in bad
places because of this. If you party, be responsible. Also, agencies don't want girls
showing up drunk or looking hung over so if you go out don't act like a child. Have fun,
but remember that you are there to work. I had fun the few times I went out, but I
followed the rules which kept me safe.
9. The best way to get around Milan is on the subway. You can get a monthly pass for 27
Euros. If you are under 27, you are a student and get a discount. You can get these at
places called ATMS. There are ATMS at Loreto, Centrale, Cadorna, Duomo, and Romolo. The
office to buy them is called " Ufficio abbonamenti." You need your passport and
a copy of it and two pictures. You can buy the pictures in booths usually in the same
place or you can get one time passes for a dollar; twenty four hour passes for three
dollars and forty eight hour passes for five dollars. You can buy these at the newsstands.
Get the monthly pass. Trust me that it is worth it because you can use it on all trams,
buses and subways and in Milan, unlike New York, you will be using buses and trams a lot.
The subways stop at 1 AM, so remember that if you are out. Also, always have a map or you
may get lost as I did and it wasn=t so much fun.
10. Nothing is open Sunday. NOTHING! And everything closes for lunch.
Bad Things
1. Pollution. Your skin will break out so take Clearasil. I am not joking. It is horrible.
2. Makeup and hair products are EXPENSIVE so take your makeup and hair products with you.
3. They strike a lot on the subways and they just shut down.
4. It rains all the time. All the time. It rained for TWO weeks straight when I was there.
5. Everyone talks bad about everyone so ignore it and judge things for yourself.
6. It is true what they say about Italian men. They will tell you anything, and you will
hear everything so learn how to say Basta.
7. People dress up all the time there so can the jeans and get ready for heels (although I
wore jeans and paid no attention).
8. They are behind in the music scene just slightly.
So that is that. If you have any further questions, email me B although I can't promise I
will get it.
