Ready to soar into the modeling world? While there’s no one-size-fits-all path to becoming a model, focusing on a specific brand such as American Eagle can be a fantastic way to gain a better understanding of the industry. Let’s take an (eagle) dive into how you can potentially join the ranks of models who’ve made it big with this authenticity-focused company.
1. Get to know the brand.
American Eagle Outfitters is a clothing retailer with several subsidiary branches; of these, Aerie is the most prominent and is often used interchangeably with American Eagle. If you want to fly high as an American Eagle or Aerie model, begin by familiarizing yourself with their merchandise, customer demographic, marketing strategies, and values.
- Products: “jeans, tops, bottoms, activewear, loungewear, and more” for American Eagle; activewear, swimwear, and underwear for Aerie
- Customers: primarily teens and young adults
- Marketing: youth-oriented advertisements such as TV tie-ins, social media posts, content creator partnerships, and modernizing prior campaigns such as “Live Your Life”
- Vision: When American Eagle launched its groundbreaking #AerieREAL campaign in 2014, it didn’t just change its marketing strategy—it transformed the modeling industry by showcasing “REAL people in unretouched campaign photos... to represent the power of real beauty.” That means that you don’t need to be a traditional runway model to rock American Eagle’s campaigns. What you do need is authenticity, confidence, and that special je ne sais quoi that makes you uniquely you.
2. Connect on social media.
Follow the company across social media platforms to deepen your understanding and see if there are themes or aesthetics that appeal to you. Hot tip: If you engage regularly and keep an eye out for user-generated content requests, you might just jumpstart your AEO modeling career.
- Instagram: @americaneagle and @aerie
- TikTok: @americaneagle and @aerie
- Facebook: American Eagle and Aerie
- LinkedIn: American Eagle Outfitters and Aerie by AEO
3. Step up your model game.
If your goal is to be the face (or body, or both!) of American Eagle, but you don’t have any experience, then it’s time to put the work in.
- Poses: Practice poses and facial expressions on your own in front of a mirror or camera. Try to think critically about your overall look and vibe and examine what other models are doing successfully. Request good, honest feedback from respected peers or people you trust.
- Portfolio: Your modeling portfolio should demonstrate your talent and range as a model via headshots, full-body shots, and the various, wonderful ways that you pose and express yourself.
- Representation: Landing representation is a great way to be seen by big-name brands, since agents and managers often have insider knowledge and connections. Agencies and management companies whose models have appeared in American Eagle campaigns include DNA, Ford, IMG, IMD, Muse, the Society, TNG, and Zombie Management.
4. Find modeling jobs for American Eagle.
Look for jobs and casting calls on our comprehensive database to further build your portfolio and make yourself all the more marketable as a model. You can even look for brand-specific gigs by using our filter tool to search for the keywords “American Eagle” and “Aerie.”
5. Get #AerieREAL.
The #AerieREAL campaign seeks authentic models who know the brand and believe in its mission. As explained on its website, “We believe all people should feel good about their REAL selves and we choose to celebrate that with traits like optimism, innovation, empowerment and self-love!” There are two ways that aspiring models can engage with the campaign:
- Photos: The #AerieREAL photo gallery showcases hundreds of unretouched submissions every year. Want your image shared in the gallery and across social media pages? Simply mention or tag @Aerie on your publicly posted photo and you might just be chosen! Alternatively, you can upload your pic directly to the gallery page for consideration.
- Ambassadors: Although the #AerieREAL ambassador program seems to have slowed in the past few years, U.S. or Canadian citizens who are at least 18 years old with a strong social media presence are still eligible to apply. To do so, head to its partner at the Youth Marketing Connection Hub, create a profile, and search for American Eagle model applications. You may also want to check out the #AerieREAL Life blog and filter for #AerieREAL ambassadors to see what these influencers look like and what they post.
American Eagle has helped several rising models take flight, including:
- Maitreyi Ramakrishnan: The star of Netflix’s “Never Have I Ever” was chosen as part of American Eagle’s Spring 2022 campaign, “Members Always,” which focused on an “optimistic, youth-led world where everyone is welcome.”
- Maia: Better known by her stage name, mxmtoon, singer-songwriter Maia got her start recording songs in her bedroom and posting them on YouTube. She appeared in the same Spring 2022 campaign as Ramakrishnan.
- Barbie Ferreira: Aerie chose Ferreira for its 2016 #AerieREAL campaign after she turned heads on social media posting unretouched photos. She’s now a successful model and actor, including an iconic turn on HBO’s “Euphoria.”
- Iskra Lawrence: Lawrence’s modeling career started when she was chosen as an #AerieREAL role model. She collaborated with the brand for years and even starred in a jean campaign for American Eagle before taking her talents to the catwalk.