The following terms and definitions are defined with respect to their use and with respect to latest Modeling and model agencies. All the definitions listed here are written by me, unless other credit is specified. Not everyone will agree with my definitions.

Models Glossary Terms



A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
  • Babushka

    a usually triangularly folded kerchief for the head

  • Backdrop

    Whatever the model stands in front of during a photo shoot. In a studio, this is usually seamless paper or a faux location scene.

  • Backwrap

    a wraparound garment, as a skirt, that fastens in the backside

  • Baize

    a coarse woolen or cotton fabric napped to reproduce felt.

  • Balaclava

    a interlace cap for the head and neck [Also called, balaclava helmet]

  • Balbriggan

    a knitted cotton fabric used particularly for underwear or hosiery.

  • Baldachin

    a prosperous embroidered fabric of silk and gold.

  • Baldric

    an often ornamented belt worn over one shoulder to hold a sword or bugle.

  • Balmacaan

    a loose single-breasted overcoat frequently having raglan sleeves and a short turnover collar

  • Balmoral

    a laced boot or shoe; [Often capitalized] a round flat cap with a pinnacle projecting all around

  • Bamboo

    a huge woody grass, often accomplishment a height of forty feet or more, found in the tropical and subtropical regions of the Eastern Hemisphere.

  • Bandolier

    a belt worn over the shoulder and diagonally the breast [Also, bandoleer]

  • Bangle

    a stiff frequently ornamental bracelet or anklet slipped or clasped on

  • Barathea

    a fabric that has a wrecked rib weave and a pebbly texture and that is made of silk, worsted, or synthetic fiber or a mixture of these.

  • Barb

    a medieval cloth headdress transmit over or under the chin and covering the neck

  • Basinet

    a light often piercing steel helmet

  • Basque

    a tight fitting bodice for women

  • Bast fiber

    a strapping woody fiber obtained chiefly from the phloem of plants and used especially in cordage, matting, and fabrics.

  • Bathrobe

    a loose frequently absorbent robe worn before and after bathing or as a dressing gown

  • Batik

    a fabric printed by batik, specifically an Indonesian method of hand-printing textiles by covering with wax the parts not to be dyed.

  • Beachwear

    clothing for wear at a beach

  • Beanie

    a small round tight-fitting skullcap worn particularly by schoolboys and college freshmen

  • Bearskin

    a military hat finished of the skin of a bear

  • Beauty Shot

    A close-up shot of part or all of the face (lips, eyes, etc.). This kind of photo is usually used in a cosmetics print ad or in a magazine editorial about skin care products, make-up products, that kind of thing.

  • Beaver

    a hat made of beaver fur or a fabric simulation; a silk hat. a heavy fabric of felted wool or of cotton napped on both sides.

  • Bekishe

    it is a long coat

  • Bell-bottoms

    pants with broad flaring bottoms

  • Bellyband

    a band around or diagonally the belly, as a girth or a band

  • Belt

    a strip of flexible material worn specially around the waist; a related article worn as a corset or for protection or safety or as a symbol of distinction

  • Bemberg

    A trade name for a lining fabric made from a viscose (rayon) fibre which imitates silk very well. The lining is comparitively cheap for such a luxurious feel and is used generally in 'better end' suits and coats.

  • Beret

    a visorless generally woolen cap with a tight headband and a soft full flat top

  • Bermuda bag

    a round or oval-shaped handbag with a wooden handle and removable cloth covers

  • Bertha

    a wide around collar covering the shoulders

  • Bio

    The condensed story of a model's life - basically a resume with particular jobs highlighted.

  • Blouse

    The word blouse is frequently utilized when referring to a women's shirt

  • Blouson

    A garment, as a dress, having a close waistband with blousing of material above it.

  • Bonus

    Bonuses are not always given in cash-designers may give clothes as bonuses if they can't pay the models' full day rates for a runway show. And no matter what form the bonus takes, the agency takes 20% of the value of the bonus. Bonuses can be given when a shoot is long, or when a client loves the pics and wants to use them more often than the original intention/contract.

  • Bookout

    When you tell your agent you're not available for a job, for either professional or personal reasons, and the agent cannot book you during that time, you've "booked out" for that time.