Modeling agencies play a crucial role in the fashion and modeling industry, connecting talented models with clients in need of their services. If you are a model or aspiring model, finding a reputable model agency in your area can be a great way to kickstart your career and gain access to a wide range of opportunities. In this article, we will explore the benefits of working with a model agency and provide tips on how to find the best agency near you. Whether you are just starting out or are an experienced model looking for new representation, this information will be valuable as you navigate the world of modeling and seek out the right agency to partner with.
For questions or to book a shoot please contact info@moreyspellman.com
What is a Modeling Agency?
A modeling agency is a company that represents models and helps them find work. Modeling agencies work with clients such as fashion designers, advertising agencies, and photographers to find models for various jobs such as photo shoots, runway shows, and commercials. Modeling agencies also provide training, advice, and career guidance to their models.
Why Use a Modeling Agency?
There are several benefits to using a modeling agency, including:
Industry Connections: Modeling agencies have connections with clients and industry professionals that can help you get work.
Professional Representation: Modeling agencies can negotiate contracts and ensure that you get paid fairly for your work.
Career Guidance: Modeling agencies can provide you with advice and guidance to help you grow your career.
Finding Modeling Agencies Near You
To find modeling agencies near you, there are several steps you can take:
Research: Do a search online for modeling agencies in your area. Look at their websites and social media pages to learn more about them.
Ask for Referrals: Ask friends, family members, or acquaintances who work in the industry if they can recommend any modeling agencies.
Attend Open Calls: Many modeling agencies hold open calls where you can come in and meet with them in person. Check their websites or social media pages for information on upcoming open calls.
Contact Agencies Directly: If you find an agency that you're interested in, reach out to them directly to see if they are accepting new models.
Short List of Modeling Agencies
APM MODEL MANAGEMENT
We don't just bring you models of the moment - through the power of togetherness, APM NY is more than a model agency. We are leading influencers and opinion formers at the heart of the industry, having the insight to inspire through our diversity and mindfulness.
CAA FASHION
Positioned at the nexus of talent, content, brands, technology, sports, and live events, CAA creates limitless opportunities for storytellers, trendsetters, icons, and thought leaders who shape popular culture. Since our founding in 1975, CAA has continued to deliver on its promise that every client is represented by the whole agency. This collaborate approach benefits our clients now more than ever, as they look to build their careers and their brands across multiple disciplines and platforms.
CLICK
Click Model Management, Inc. was founded in 1980 in New York City by Frances Grill, Joey Grill and Allan Mindel. The name "CLICK" is in homage to the sound a camera makes and to the photographers and crew who make magic happen. Over the past 25 plus years Click has added offices throughout the United States and presently represents over 1000 models with divisions focusing on Women, Men, Plus Size, Runway, Showroom, FIT, and Television Commercials.
Many of the world's most famous faces such as Isabella Rossellini, Uma Thurman, Whitney Houston, Elle MacPherson and Grace Jones have been represented by Click. Click maintains a tight affiliation with Flick East West Talents, one of the most successful television commercial agencies in the country representing hundreds of actors and actresses as well as many of our models for television commercial work.
Located in the heart of one of the fashion capitals of the world, Crawford Models was established in 2017. This passion-driven agency is dedicated to building long-lasting relationships with clients and providing models from around the world with the time and attention needed to help their careers thrive.
Owner John Crawford has over a decade of experience in the fashion industry as a Model Agent, and Director Shawn Zane-Sharpless has established over 20 years of experience as a Director and Model Agent in both the men’s and women’s fashion industries.
DNA Model Management is a global leader for luxury international talent management within the fashion, entertainment, and creative industries. For nearly 30 years, DNA established itself as a pioneer, bridging the financial strength of a larger agency with a creative, tailored approach of boutique agencies. Founded in 1993 by Jerome and David Bonnouvrier, DNA grew from representing a single talent to boasting an iconic board that includes the likes of Linda Evangelista and Kaia Gerber.
DT MODEL MANAGEMENT
DT Model Management is one of the leading boutique modeling agencies, priding itself on its distinguished talent roster and client base. Founded in 2012 by David Todd, DTMM has secured some of the biggest worldwide campaigns for clients such as Tom Ford, Paco Rabanne, Ralph Lauren, DSQUARED2, Diesel and Stuart Weitzman. The agency has booked high-fashion editorials and covers for the likes of American Vogue, Elle Magazine, V Magazine, GQ Magazine, Italian Vogue, and Vanity Fair Italia, making it one of the premiere model management companies in Los Angeles.
ELITE NEW YORK CITY
Elite New York City was founded in 1977 by founder, John Casablancas. Elite redefined the industry by giving birth to what we now know as The Supermodel. Elite continues to be at the forefront of fashion by establishing the careers of our talents on a holistic level — and setting trends within the industry. Elite has represented talents, such as Linda, Naomi, and Cindy to Gisele, Uma, and Iman to Janice, Heidi, and Cameron to Tyra, Stephanie, and Amber. Elite's belief in the importance of empowering our talents and promoting diversity is driving the industry towards inclusion. Currently, Elite operates offices in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and Toronto, alongside a trusted network of independent agencies around the world. As Elite moves towards a new chapter in our iconic legacy, we invite you to help define what is to come with us.
FENTON MODEL MANAGEMENT
Fenton Models is an upscale women's and men’s boutique agency in New York City that represents high end fashion models from around the world.
Since the start in 2009, Fenton Models has signed and developed some of the brightest new faces and continue to work with the top photographers, Magazines, Catalogs and Designers. The agency focuses on personal management for the models and excellent and diligent work for their clients.
FORD MODELS
Founded in 1946 by its namesakes, Eileen and Jerry Ford, FORD Models pioneered a new kind of global industry based on beauty. Starting out of their New York City home, Eileen and Jerry established a company and brand that launched and defined the modeling industry; as the agency renowned for innovating model management, FORD is the most recognized and respected name in the history of modeling. Today, FORD Models is at the forefront of the cultural conversation, representing fashion talent around the world, operating where culture meets creativity. With its main headquarters located in New York City, and with offices in Paris, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, and Brazil, FORD continues to innovate and influence the industries of modeling and fashion.
FREEDOM MODELS
Freedom Models is a boutique women’s fashion agency with an exceptionally curated board that services global and local clientele with high-tier talent. Freedom's focus is on development and international placement and we are continually seeking out the most innovative and pioneering talent and visionaries to collaborate with in the fashion world.
FRONT MANAGEMENT
FRONT Management is a boutique modeling agency that represents top international models and develops the freshest new faces in the industry. Booking worldwide for over 15 years, we give you gorgeous talent that encapsulate the concept of your creative projects. Whether you are looking for a supermodel to take your brand to the next level or a stunning new face for your start-up, we have what you need.
FUSION MODELS
Fusion is a boutique-style agency that is quickly making a name for itself in the New York market as well as abroad.
Fusion has a high-end board of men and women for work in all areas of the fashion industry.
HEROS MODEL MANAGEMENT
Heroes New York opened in September 2015 in the heart of Soho. Born from a desire to bring back the talent to the forefront of Fashion, Heroes has already firmly established itself as one of the world’s leading independent agencies.
ICONIC FOCUS MODELS
Iconic Focus Models continues to bring back the most Iconic Super Models from the 70's 80's 90's.. whom were both beauty and fashion contract/campaign girls as well as top magazine editorial and covergirls. Our models walked the top runways in both Europe and the States and worked with all the legendary photographers and designers of their times.
IDENTITY
Identity was founded in 2017 in New York City by Mathias Pardo. Boutique style agency with an obsession on creating content and high end fashion editorial print.
In an era of transition into the unknown and in the midst of a high demand for content creation and branding, The identity is a solid team of young, creative and dedicated generation.
IMG LOS ANGELES
With looks that embody the most current trends, IMG Models' clients are style-setting celebrities gracing renowned fashion publications, television and movie screens, prestigious ad campaigns and ultra-chic catwalks from New York to London and Paris to Milan. IMG represents some of today's most famous supermodels including Lucky Blue Smith, Ashley Graham, and Alek Wek.
JAG MODELS
JAG is a work in progress — a future-forward philosophy as much as a modeling agency. In 2013, we set out to create an inclusive agency dedicated to transforming industry standards. Over the past decade that vision has evolved, as have our models. That’s why we’re listening to them more closely and asking more questions, changing our language and magnifying their stories. It’s part of our ongoing mission to eliminate boxes — to stop talking about stereotypes and start talking about more important things.
LA MODEL MANAGEMENT
In just over 30 years of operation in the fast-paced, high-stakes world of modeling, founder Heinz Holba has built L.A. Models into one of the most powerful and successful agencies in the industry. Since the early 1980s, Holba has worked tirelessly to bring a significant international modeling presence to Los Angeles. Holba's efforts have paid off: L.A. Models is the largest modeling agency on the West Coast and one of the most respected in the world. Holba's well-established New York Model Management in Manhattan is quickly achieving the same notoriety. Providing full service to its clients, New York Model Management maintains a presence in the fashion center of the country as well as booking directly into Europe and other U.S. cities.
MAJOR MODEL MANAGEMENT
Founded in 1999 and under the leadership of President Guido Dolci , Major Models New York has grown to be among the most prestigious and lucrative boutique agencies in the world. Major's team is comprised of powerful, seasoned agents, combined with a new generation of creative visionaries that will lead the agency into the future.
Major's philosophy is to offer its models a solid plan of management. From development to placement in the worldwide market and aggressive promotion to a broad client base, the models are ensured personal attention not found in the larger agencies. Major succeeds on all levels of a model's career; from high-end editorial and advertising campaigns to catalogs and the increasing e-commerce business. If you are seeking an agency that puts passion and ethics first - combined with a loyal family atmosphere, Major Models is the place for you.
MARILYN AGENCY
Extending the reach of Marilyn Agency, the New York office was established in 1997. Marilyn Agency has one of the most prestigious reputations in the world, representing some of the most established fashion models, including: Claudia Schiffer, Bar Refaeli, Tasha Tilberg, Julia Stegner, Maggie Rizer, Shannan Click, and Mini Anden, to start.
MUSE MANAGEMENT
Muse Management was founded in 2007 by Conor Kennedy to create a truly unique, independent vision in the increasingly corporate management landscape. Growing rapidly over the past 15 years, Muse Management has built the client reach of a powerhouse while maintaining the management style of a boutique. We have the ability to focus on the top tier of talent worldwide, managing each career to the fullest potential- editorially, commercially and theatrically. Muse Management is respected worldwide as an industry leader in diverse beauty and we represent high fashion, curve and men.
NEW YORK MODEL MANAGEMENT
Opened in 1995 by Heinz Holba, New York Model Management is one of the top modeling agencies in New York City, committed to promoting prestigious talent and exciting new faces. Sister to L.A. MODELS, an established full-service agency on the United States West Coast, and L.A. TALENT, a television and commercial agency for beauty in Los Angeles and Hollywood, New York Model Management's international staff brings a wealth of fashion savvy and experience to anticipate trends in fashion. Some of the top models represented by New York Models include industry icons, Meghan Collison, Amy Wesson, Anna Jagodzinska, Olga Sherer, Sui He, as well as editorial favorites, Ella Richards, Fatou Jobe, Ash Foo, Yilan Hua, Lou Schoof, Marland Backus, and Unia Pakhomova.
NEXT LA
NEXT Management is a global modelling agency that connects top talent in fashion and entertainment with leading international brands. Established in New York in 1989, the agency quickly expanded into key markets: London, Paris, Milan, Los Angeles, and Miami. Publications and brands know to look to NEXT for the best new faces and the most established fashion models with global recognition. With supermodels such as Arizona Muse, Kate Upton, Anais Mali, Marloes Horst, Binx, Anna Cleveland, and Lineisy Montero as a part of its roster, NEXT oversees the successful careers of the most internationally recognizable faces. Our Men’s division is proud to represent superstars including Lucky Blue Smith, Marlon Teixeira, Andre Van Noord, Arthur Kulkov, John Halls, and Matthew Holt. The agency has become known as having an innate eye for finding talent and building dynamic and long lasting careers — models such as Abbey Lee, Molly Sims, Cody Horn, and Jaime King have made the transition from fashion to film seamlessly while being guided by NEXT.
NOMAD MANAGEMENT
Since its founding in 2001, NOMAD MGMT has been recognized as one of the most respected global scouting and personal model management companies in the world. In 2016, with the arrival of additional veteran managers and directors, as well as industry maverick Coco Rocha taking an ownership stake, NOMAD became a full-fledged global booking agency for select clients. As an enterprise founded by models, for models, the team at NOMAD feels that the best path to the long-term success of everyone involved is to unfailingly work in our client's best interests. Uniquely positioned as a boutique management and booking company, NOMAD is able to nimbly adapt to the quickly changing face of the industry while enjoying all of the access and knowledge of far larger contemporaries. NOMAD believes each client is unique and that highly experienced, personal management rather than a "one size fits all" approach to our client's careers results in the greatest success for all involved.
ONE MANAGEMENT
ONE Management is a world-leading modeling agency representing beauty in all its diversity. We develop and manage models who bring a brand's story and experience to the audience through a variety of media including print, runway, digital, social, and video. Founded in 2001, the agency is bicoastal with a presence in New York and Los Angeles. ONE represents a roster of globally successful modeling talent, and celebrates the intersection of fashion, music, TV, and film representing groundbreaking international artists.
PHOTOGENICS LA
Photogenics Media is the premiere one-stop destination for all fashion and entertainment in Los Angeles. Founded in the spring of 2002, Photogenics is a fresh, highly driven, trend-setting fashion agency that strives to make a lasting mark in the industry. Created and founded by Bordeaux Models owner, Nicole Bordeaux and co-owners Dean and Davis Factor (founders of Smashbox Cosmetics and Smashbox Studios) Photogenics makes its home on the buzzing “North of Rose” neighborhood in Venice, California. The owners have combined their decades of experience to operate a three-tiered fashion, entertainment and media company, representing top models, talent, and creators, and most recently artist representation with a global presence beginning with PHOTO/GENICS EUROPE based in Paris, France.
STATE MANAGEMENT
Founded in 2015, STATE Management offers a modern alternative to a rapidly evolving industry. With a progressive approach to scouting, a holistic approach to development, and a personalized approach to management, STATE guides the successful careers of established models and proudly launches those of new faces.
STORM MANAGEMENT
Storm LA is founded by Noelle Doukas – formerly the head of the very successful Storm London Women’s division. The industry veteran is joined by the equally dynamic team of Trent Axelson, whose early career includes working as the Bookings Editor for both Teen Vogue and Allure; and Khosrov Melkonyan, a social media management and digital expert and Betsy Schrader, formerly senior agent at Wilhelmina LA.
SUPREME MANAGEMENT
Supreme NY was founded in 2000 with a desire to bring something different. The rise of new talents across social media made us aware that clients were looking for unique profiles and stand-out characters beyond those found in the sphere of traditional beauty. Supreme offers boutique, high-end talent management. Our models are beautiful, spirited, confident, bold, complex, natural, authentic, unconventional, independent, creative and funny, extravagant at times, but never boring. Our strength and relevance come from our models’ uniqueness.
THE INDUSTRY
The Industry Model Management is a high end boutique women’s agency, with Headquarters located in the Iconic Pier59 Studios at Chelsea Piers in NYC in addition to our offices in LA. Our focus is on discovering new talent and managing each individual to cultivate a successful and long term career. In maintaining a very select roster, Industry Models is able to offer a personalized level of service to each and every model we represent.
THE LIONS
We embody a new type of agency, one devoted to building powerful personal brands out of the talent, passions, and ideas that make each of our clients truly extraordinary and unique. We are committed to using our distinctive platform to empower our clients in fashion and further amplify their voices to make an impact in the world. Today, The Lions holds a vision of change with an approach that’s dedicated to growing groundbreaking careers as a community with the world’s most talented, inspiring, and diverse people.
THE SOCIETY MANAGEMENT
Established in 2013, The Society Management serves as the New York division of the prestigious Elite World network and continues a global legacy of more than four decades within the fashion industry. Through the experiences from this prolific history, The Society now embodies the next era of talent management. As the driving force behind a diverse array of careers, The Society commits to helping talents reach their full potential through encompassing service that is based on foresight. We consider each represented individual with thorough regard, understanding purposes and needs within a unique journey – a journey in which we cultivate long term careers through positive, significant exposure and collaborations with top international publication and brand teams.
VISION LOS ANGELES
VISION LOS ANGELES, established in 1999, is a boutique-styled, high fashion and beauty agency dedicated to the discovery and development of fresh, unique talent. Representing both women and men, our ultimate goal is to manage each talent on an individual basis, presenting them with all the necessary tools to build a lasting brand within the fashion industry. We recognize the importance of strong client relations, the increasing popularity of social media, and developing personal relationships with all of the talent we represent. Supported by a dedicated and creative group of experienced agents, Francine Champagne, Owner and President, and Tony Perkins, Director of Scouting, head up this amazing team.
WILHELMINA MODELS
Wilhelmina Models is one of the most prominent talent management agencies in the world. Since its founding in 1967 by Dutch supermodel Wilhelmina Cooper, Wilhelmina Models has earned its prestigious standing as an industry leader by providing full-spectrum model management for women, men, curve, fitness, as well as entertainers and musicians. Wilhelmina has offices in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and London, and is also licensed with agencies throughout the world.
W360 represents the diversity and inclusion which mirror the needs of the beauty and fashion industry from both a global and community perspective. Though broad in scope, W360 operates as a boutique management agency, where each talent is seen as both an individual and a brand. Our management philosophy is one of collaboration between talents and agents, maximizing the agents long-term relationships in order to reach the individual goals of each of our talent. Talent is encouraged and guided to explore their outside interests in tandem with their traditional work, as social media and consumer interest has enabled them to use their voice and platforms.