Kai Dalhouse is one of Manchester’s best upcoming talents within the modelling scene. Working with brands from Size to Disanti studio, his unique style and look led to his signing to IMM Agency Group in 2021. With his recent endeavour into the social media world, Dalhouse has began sharing his experiences to newcomers in the industry through his TikTok and Instagram communities.
Recent campaigns Kai has been involved with include the Ray-Ban pulse tour in London. The Pulse collection was exclusively featured in New Wave Magazine, following Ray-Ban’s collaboration with underground music record label and events coordinators Homebass. We sat down with Kai to discuss his fast-growing image and career.
How did you personally make your way into the modelling industry?
“I got scouted on Instagram, but I was trying to get signed for three years I believe. So, I started applying to all these agencies, didn’t hear anything back, and then finally I got scouted on Instagram!”
Who is your modelling inspiration/ who inspired you to start within the industry?
“It’s funny because I work for Nike now, and that was literally the brand that got me into the industry! So, they have loads of like mixed race models with long curly hair, long braids and I was like damn I want to be that!”
What is the most effective platform you use to gain modelling jobs?
“So, through my agency definitely. You get the bigger brands when it’s through your agency. But being active on social media helps like TikTok, Instagram, most of the main ones. You can literally attract anyone from one of those apps.”
Competing with other models in the industry for jobs, what do you use to stand out within your social media and portfolio?
“When it comes to in-person, just being authentic. Then someone will come along and like your personality, like your outfits, like your look. It is literally trial and error. Doing Instagram, it is just staying consistent I think.”
How hard is it to make it in the industry full-time, what financial struggles do you face as being a model is a non-traditional full-time role?
“You never know when you’re going to get a job and then even when you get a job it takes three to four months to get paid. It should be on a monthly basis but obviously it is not.”
What are struggles you face every day with recruitment for modelling jobs?
“It’s everyday rejection. You get more rejections than you get jobs. That’s part of the industry, it’s normal. When you go through that you kind of get used to it.”
You mentioned on your TikTok that your agency didn’t find you work last month – it was through Instagram. Is this an issue many models in the industry face?
“Like I said it’s normal, we never know when we are going to get our next job. They’re doing their job to kind of push you on to all these different brands but again it’s not guaranteed.”
Do you think with the rise of social media and ‘Instagram models’ the industry has become harder to engage with?
“I mean I think so, definitely more competitive because a lot of people want to be models.”
Who would you say is your favourite brand you have worked with so far?
“Favourite brand I’ve worked with is this Korean brand called Extraordinary; it was a shoot in London. I just thought their style really complimented my look.”
Are there any specific brands or photographers you would love to work with?
“Okay, I’ll give you two, Nike because that’s what got me into it and I think Diesel as well. I think Diesel would be cool like the runway stuff.”
What advice would you give a newcomer to the industry?
“Embrace rejection, like it is inevitable. I think everything is mentality. So, I’d say embrace rejection and understand that it is a subjective industry.”
Where do you see yourself in twelve months’ time, in comparison to five years?
“The goal is to model abroad; runway and I want to shoot a campaign as well. Also to try and get some consistent income. 5 years’ time, you know what? Owning my own agency.”
