Model (Volunteer – Fashion and Media Division)

Mentor A Promise (MAP) is a New York City–based nonprofit serving children and youth (ages 5–18) experiencing housing instability, grounded in the belief that every child is a Promise—full of potential, dignity, and possibility. We deliver consistent, high-quality programming across mentorship, literacy, social-emotional learning, and creative expression in shelters, schools, and community spaces, creating structured environments where students can grow, be seen, and build lasting skills. Through signature experiences like The Imagination Studio, The Kitchen Table, The Sound Lab, and The Story Space, we nurture academic development, emotional well-being, and creative voice, all within a trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and accessibility-centered framework.

About PromiseBrands

PromiseBrands is MAP’s brand, fashion, product, design, and creative experience division. Our teams explore the intersection of:

• Fashion and textile design
• Brand campaigns
• Product and merchandise design
• Creative direction
• Culture and storytelling
• Sustainability and craftsmanship
• Creative experiences
• Social impact

PromiseBrands brings together designers, creative directors, models, stylists, makers, and other creative professionals to develop work that is thoughtful, distinctive, and mission-aligned.

About the Role

Mentor A Promise is seeking Models to collaborate with PromiseBrands on fashion projects, brand campaigns, creative presentations, fittings, events, and other visual initiatives. We welcome individuals with professional modeling experience as well as emerging models interested in building experience and contributing to mission-driven creative work. This role is about more than wearing clothing or appearing in front of a camera. We want models who understand that they are creative collaborators helping designers and creative teams communicate an idea, mood, story, or point of view.

Responsibilities

Modeling & Creative Collaboration

• Model clothing, accessories, products, or creative concepts for approved PromiseBrands initiatives.
• Interpret creative direction while bringing professionalism and individuality to each project.
• Participate in fittings, rehearsals, creative reviews, and production sessions as required.
• Collaborate respectfully with designers, creative directors, stylists, and production teams.
• Provide constructive feedback regarding garment fit, movement, comfort, and functionality.
• Maintain consistency and professionalism throughout productions.

Fashion & Brand Campaigns

• Participate in fashion presentations, campaign productions, lookbooks, events, and other approved projects.
• Help communicate the intended creative concept through movement, expression, styling, and presentation.
• Work with PromiseBrands creative leadership to understand the purpose and visual direction of each project.
• Represent MAP and PromiseBrands professionally when participating in public-facing activities.

Fittings & Preparation

• Attend scheduled fittings and rehearsals when required.
• Communicate accurate sizing and fitting information.
• Arrive prepared and on time for scheduled activities.
• Handle garments, accessories, products, and creative materials responsibly.
• Communicate promptly regarding scheduling conflicts or production concerns.

Collaboration With PromiseStudios

When projects require photography, film, video, or other media production, models may also collaborate with PromiseStudios production teams. PromiseStudios maintains ownership of MAP’s photography, film, animation, motion graphics, illustration, and related creative-production disciplines.

Representation, Consent & Professional Standards

MAP is committed to respectful and ethical creative practices. Models will receive appropriate information about the nature and intended use of a project before participation and may be asked to complete applicable releases or permissions for approved photography, video, or other media use. MAP expects:

• Respect for personal dignity and professional boundaries
• Clear communication regarding project expectations
• Appropriate consent for use of image and likeness
• No unauthorized use of participant images or content
• Respectful styling and representation
• Appropriate privacy and safeguarding practices
• Professional conduct from everyone participating in productions

Creative direction should never require a model to participate in activity that violates established organizational standards or agreed boundaries.

Qualifications

We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds, appearances, body types, identities, ages appropriate to the project, and levels of modeling experience. Professional modeling experience is welcomed but not required for every opportunity. Strong candidates will demonstrate:

• Confidence and comfort in front of a camera or audience
• Ability to take and interpret creative direction
• Reliability and punctuality
• Professional communication
• Collaborative attitude
• Comfort working with multidisciplinary creative teams
• Respect for designers, garments, production teams, and fellow models
• Flexibility across different creative concepts
• Commitment to respectful and inclusive creative environments

Experience in fashion, editorial, commercial, runway, lifestyle, fit, or creative modeling is valued.

What Success Looks Like

Success means models feel respected as creative collaborators. Designers receive thoughtful feedback. Productions are organized and professional. Creative Directors can communicate ambitious concepts. Different people and perspectives are represented with dignity. And PromiseBrands produces fashion and brand work that feels human, distinctive, inclusive, and intentional.

Commitment

• Volunteer creative role
• Project-based scheduling
• 6-month commitment preferred
• Availability for scheduled fittings, rehearsals, shoots, presentations, or events
• Primarily NYC-based participation for physical productions
• Timely communication and reliable attendance
• Completion of applicable MAP onboarding, releases, safeguarding, and organizational requirements

Benefits

• Experience collaborating on mission-driven fashion and brand projects
• Portfolio-building opportunities where appropriate
• Collaboration with designers, creative directors, stylists, photographers, filmmakers, and other creative professionals
• Experience participating in multidisciplinary creative productions
• Professional references and letters of recommendation
• Opportunity to contribute to the development of PromiseBrands as its creative portfolio grows

Why This Role Matters: Fashion becomes meaningful when design meets the person who brings it to life. A garment can begin as a sketch. Fabric gives it form. Craftsmanship gives it structure. But the person wearing it introduces something no drawing can fully capture—movement, presence, personality, and humanity. Models are part of that creative process. Wear the idea. Bring the design to life. Help us create fashion and brand experiences with purpose.