A modeling agency is a company that represents fashion models, to work for the fashion industry. [1] These agencies earn their income via commission, usually from the deal they make with the model, and or the head agency.
| Name | Est. | Country | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diyar Studio | 2006 | UAE | based in Dubai, UAE with locations in Kerala, Pune and Mumbai |
| Elite Model Management | 1972 | France | based in Paris, France with locations in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, London and Toronto |
| Ice Model Management | 1995 | South Africa | based in CapeTown and Johannesburg. |
| Francina International Modeling Agency | 1983 | Spain | established in Barcelona by the model Francina Díaz Mestre [2] |
| Ford Models | 1946 | US | |
| ICON Models | 2004 | Canada | based in Toronto |
| IMG Models | 1987 | US | |
| Look | 1988 | Israel | based in Tel Aviv |
| Look Model Agency | 1986 | US | based in San Francisco [3] |
| Louisa Models | 1990 | Germany | |
| MIKAs | 1986 | Sweden | Founded by Mika Kjellberg |
| Marilyn Agency | 1985 | France | based in Paris |
| MP Management | 1977 | UK | based in London |
| Munich Models | 1992 | Germany | based in Munich, Germany |
| Next Management | 1989 | US | based in New York City with divisions in London, Los Angeles, Miami, Milan and Paris. |
| Otto Models | 1993 | US | established in Los Angeles, by Jason and Tereza Otto |
| Scout Model & Talent Agency | 2010 | US | has offices in San Francisco and Los Angeles |
| Select Model Management | 1977 | UK | |
| Silent Models | 2008 | US | |
| The Society Management | 2013 | US | based in New York City, it is the official U.S. division of the Elite World network. [4] It is also the U.S. branch of the Elite Model Look contest. [5] |
| Stardust Promotion | 1979 | Japan | based in Shibuya, Tokyo |
| Storm Model Management | 1987 | UK | based in Chelsea, London, founded by Sarah Doukas |
| The Lions | 2014 | US | |
| TUARON | 1999 | Latvia | a modeling and talent agency headquartered in Riga, founded in 1999 by Anton Sova. |
| Ugly Models | 1969 | UK | |
| VIVA Model Management | 1988 | France | based in Paris |
| Why Not Model Management | 1976 | Italy | based in Milan |
| Wilhelmina Models | 1967 | US | a modeling and talent agency headquartered in New York City, founded in 1967 by Dutch supermodel Wilhelmina Cooper. [6] |
| Women Management | 1988 | US | based in New York City, it also has offices in Paris and Milan |
| YG KPlus | 2008 | Korea | |
| Zoli Agency | 1971 | US | former modelling agency based in New York City, it was particularly notable in the 1970s and 1980s. [7] [8] It was originally more geared towards male models, and was known as one of the elite male modelling agencies in the 1970s. [7] [9] [10] |
| We Speak Model Management | 2013 | US | based in New York, founded by Briauna Mariah |
A model is a person with a role either to display commercial products or to serve as an artist's model or to pose for photography.
A supermodel is a highly paid fashion model who has a worldwide reputation and background in haute couture and commercial modeling. The term became popular in the 1990s. Supermodels usually work for prominent fashion designers and clothing brands. They may have multimillion-dollar contracts, endorsements, and campaigns. Supermodels have branded themselves as household names and worldwide recognition is associated with their modeling careers. They have been on the covers of leading fashion magazines. Claudia Schiffer stated in 2007 that, "In order to become a supermodel one must be on all the covers all over the world at the same time so that people can recognise the girls."
Tyra Lynne Banks, also known as BanX, is an American model, television personality, producer, writer, and actress. Born in Inglewood, California, she began her career as a model at the age of 15 and was the first Black American woman to be featured on the covers of GQ and the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, on which she appeared three times. Banks was one of only a few Black models to achieve Supermodel status. She was a Victoria's Secret Angel from 1997 to 2005. By the early 2000s, Banks was one of the world's top-earning models.
Heidi Klum is a German-American model, television host, producer, and businesswoman. She appeared on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue in 1998 and was the first German model to become a Victoria's Secret Angel.
Rachel Hunter is a New Zealand model, actress, and the host of Imagination Television's Rachel Hunter's Tour of Beauty. She has appeared on several magazine covers, including Vogue, Elle, Rolling Stone, Sports Illustrated, Playboy, Cosmopolitan, and Harper's Bazaar. She has been on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue twice: in 1994 and in 2006.
Molly Sims is an American fashion model and actress. She was featured in campaigns for Jimmy Choo, Escada, Giorgio Armani, Michael Kors, and Chanel, among others. She frequently modeled for the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue in the early 2000s and walked the runway for the annual Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in 2001.
Janice Doreen Dickinson is an American model, television personality, and businesswoman. Initially notable as a model, Dickinson has been disputably described by herself as the first supermodel. One of the most successful models of the 1970s and 1980s, she also served as a judge on four cycles of the reality series America's Next Top Model (2003–2006). Dickinson opened a modeling agency in 2005 which was documented on the reality series The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency (2006–2008).
Karolína Kurková is a Czech-American model and actress, known for her work as a former Victoria's Secret Angel and Vogue cover star. Mario Testino praised the "proportions of her body and her face, as well as her energy level", which he said "ma[de] her a model who could fit almost into any moment". Vogue editor Anna Wintour called her the "next supermodel".
Marc Jacobs is an American fashion designer. He is the head designer for his own fashion label, Marc Jacobs, and formerly Marc by Marc Jacobs, a diffusion line, which was produced for approximately 15 years, before it was discontinued after the 2015 fall/winter collection. At its peak, it had over 200 retail stores in 80 countries. He was the creative director of the French design house Louis Vuitton from 1997 to 2014. Jacobs was on Time magazine's "2010 Time 100" list of the 100 most influential people in the world, and was #14 on Out magazine's 2012 list of "50 Most Powerful Gay Men and Women in America". He married his longtime partner Charly Defrancesco on April 6, 2019.
A modeling agency is a company that represents fashion models, to work for the fashion industry. These agencies earn their income via commission, usually from the deal they make with the model and/or the head agency.
Lily Luahana Cole is a British model, author, film director, actress and entrepreneur. Cole pursued a modelling career as a teenager and was listed in 2009 by Vogue Paris as one of the top 30 models of the 2000s. She was booked for her first British Vogue cover at age 16, named "Model of the Year" at the 2004 British Fashion Awards, and worked with many well-known brands, including Alexander McQueen, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Jean Paul Gaultier and Moschino. Her advertising campaigns have included Longchamp, Anna Sui, Rimmel and Cacharel. In 2020, Cole published Who Cares Wins, a book about how our lives impact the planet and how we can respond to the climate emergency challenges we face. In 2021, the book was turned into a podcast in which Cole invites guests with different perspectives to explore critical issues – and their relationship to the environment – from technology, food, to mental health and capitalism.
Elite Model Management (MM) is a modeling agency that originated in Paris in 1972.
Wilhelmina International Inc., formerly Wilhelmina Models, is a modeling and talent agency headquartered in New York City, United States. The company also has offices in Los Angeles, Miami and London. Founded in 1967 by Wilhelmina Cooper, it provides representation and management to models, entertainers, artists, musicians, and athletes. In 2009, the company became the first and only publicly traded modeling and talent agency after its acquisition by New Century Equity Holdings Corp.
A plus-size model is an individual size 12 and above who is engaged primarily in modeling plus-size clothing. Plus-size clothing worn by plus-size models is typically catering for and marketed to either big, tall or overweight men and women. Plus-size models also engage in work that is not strictly related to selling clothing, e.g., stock photography and advertising photography for cosmetics, household and pharmaceutical products and sunglasses, footwear and watches. Therefore, plus-size models do not exclusively wear garments marketed as plus-size clothing. This is especially true when participating in fashion editorials for mainstream fashion magazines.
Irina Valeryevna Shaykhlislamova, known professionally as Irina Shayk, is a Russian fashion model. She received international recognition when she appeared as the first Russian model on the cover of the 2011 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. In 2022, the website Models.com placed her on their list of the New Supers.
Chanel Iman Robinson is an American model who has worked as a Victoria's Secret Angel. Vogue Paris declared her as one of the top 30 models of the 2000s.
Kiara Kabukuru is a Ugandan-born American fashion model. Kabukuru is best known as a CoverGirl model.
Enikő Mihalik is a Hungarian model who rose to prominence after placing 4th in the Elite Model Look 2002 and is known for her work with Dutch photography team Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin.
Ekaterina Igorevna "Katia" Elizarova is a Russian model and actress.
The Zoli Agency was a modeling agency based in New York City, particularly notable in the 1970s and 1980s.
