Beauty contests: a way to break into modelling?

The worlds of modelling and beauty pageants may seem, to the untrained eye, quite similar. But scratch the surface, and there are quite marked differences that cast some doubt on the theory that a good beauty contestant must make a good model.
At first glance, modelling and beauty pageants appear to be the in same business. Both actively search for the best. Their tough physical requirements demand excellence. But look further, and their standard, while being similar, differs on the point of what constitutes beauty. Beauty in the fashion world can vary wildly: it can swing from quirky, to approachable, back to editorial. Beauty pageants famously have set ideas about beauty and what is considered a winning look in that culture can be at odds with the expectations of the fashion industry (http://www.modelsconnect.net/Become-a-model/fashion-modelling.html).
But beauty contests have a lengthy pedigree, and with good reason. They do teach a number of skills that are applicable to the modelling world. The beauty pageants’ insistence on excellent standing posture never goes out of fashion. Knowing how to best stand to an outfit’s advantage is a skill no model can afford to be without. A model’s job is to showcase clothes, and being able to do this without too much coaching is a definite plus.
Taking part in contests can also help build confidence. Having to negotiate competitions and dealing with being ‘on display’ in front of complete strangers is something that will definitely help a new model when going to castings. Knowing how to project confidence (even when you’re quaking in your Isabel Marant boots) goes a long way to securing work.
The main issue with pageant girls trying to enter the modelling industry is that the look of beauty contests, even now, remains quite formal and trying to build a good runway walk would mean serious investment from an agency to undo years of training. Finding an agency (http://www.modelsconnect.net/modelling_agencies/model_agencies.html) willing to take this additional commitment on, in this financial climate, is a tough ask.
The last word goes to the girls who currently populate the modelling industry. It is virtually impossible to find a model with previous pageant experience. The girls at the top of their game have often come to the industry with very little baggage, sometimes some previous experience in athletics or dance, but other than that, they are normal girls who happen to have the look that is currently in demand. Coming from a pageant background in itself isn’t automatically a deal-breaker, but immersing yourself in pageants in order to get a ‘lucky break’? Definitely not a sure thing.