Shannon Tatum, Vanessa Williams, and Charlize Theron all started off as models before their film and TV careers, and it’s easy to see why. Both industries value people who are able to communicate an emotion or thought with just a look. If that sounds like you, maybe it’s time to give modelling some proper consideration.
Successful models get the chance to travel the world, score free clothes, and earn very good money. And just as with acting, finding the right agent is key. These days, many leading agencies don’t just rep models but manage all aspects of their career, from acting to influencing.
Many of the top modelling reps in the UK are based in London, but there are also brilliant agencies outside of the capital. Begin by doing some research into what kind of work your potential agency does: Is it mainly editorial, catwalk, or commercial? Do they represent the kind of model you’d like to become? Where would you like your agent to be based? What’s their reputation like?
Keep in mind that no reputable agency will ask you for anything up front, financial or otherwise. Most UK modelling agencies will want to see a straightforward snapshot of your face and a full-length photo of your body as a first step. They won’t ask you to send professional shots, and you won’t have to pay ahead of time. If a potential rep does ask for money in advance, maybe it’s time to spin around on your oh-so-attractive heels and reconsider your options.
Boss
This top agency proves that you don’t have to be based in London to find success. Established in 1988 by Debra Burns, Boss represents models of all types: young, old, curvy, catwalk, families, children, commercial—and has a proven track record.
Burns discovered redhead supermodel Karen Elson when she was just sixteen years old. The agency’s site says that Elson’s career “embodies the individuality we celebrate,” and that its clients regularly work in “the great fashion capitals of the world.”
Boss doesn’t just focus on modelling; it also has a casting agency if you’re looking for acting jobs. It also reps food stylists, interior experts, fashion stylists, and hair and makeup artists—or, as the website puts it, “a bubbling cauldron of imaginative and innovative artistes.”
Elite
Elite is a big name global agency with a track record backing its claim to be ‘the world’s leading model management’ network. They’ve got lots of models on their books and claim they’re looking for the ‘faces of tomorrow’ – could that be you?
Set up in 1972, Elite is still one of the most famous agencies in the world and has the list to prove it. Big names such as the world’s top earning model Kendall Jenner, Adut Akech and Hoyeon bless their current main board and they also have a history of nurturing and enabling big name careers of models like Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista and Claudia Schiffer. Yes, Elite is the home of the original supermodel, so clearly they know what they’re doing!
When it comes to finding new talent, Elite puts its money where its mouth is organising the huge Elite Model Look contest, a global search for the next supermodel. The competition hasn’t got a bad hit rate either, in the last 30 years its discovered Gisele Bundchen, Lara Stone and Alessandra Ambrosio. The agency also has its own in-house PR and production services and a ‘talent’ list’ that includes non-modelling talent like Courtney Love, Ella Eyre and Jack Guinness.
Their mainboard showcases lots of high end editorial work, there’s lots of fashion magazine covers which is good to consider when you’re thinking about the kind of modelling work you’d like to do. They’ve certainly worked with big top end brands having booked shows for names like Louis Vuitton, Prada and Margaret Howell.
IMG
IMG is a BIG name in the modelling world with offices in New York, Paris, Milan and Sydney as well as London. They say they like to challenge their models but also pride themselves on acting like a family behind the scenes. An example of this is that IMG runs a mentorship programme called Model Prep in which industry professionals and veteran models share their experiences with emerging talent, as well as an educational speaker series offering advice on subjects like mental health, nutrition, and even self defence!
According to Forbes Magazine, IMG represented four of the top five highest earning models in the world in 2018. Not a bad board to rep really. IMG is home to big names like Karlie Kloss, Chrissy Teigen, Alex Wek, and Rosie Huntingdon-Whitely, and has a reputation for helping build lucrative editorial careers that crossover out of the modelling world into other spheres.
Former IMG President Ivan Bart told Forbes that to crossover successfully, “you have to have a vision for it” – and plenty of IMG talents have proved they do. Cara Delevingne is just one of their models that has moved into acting post catwalk and it’s clearly a route the agency are familiar with.
IMG is also known for keeping up with trends. Bart adds that models should really pay attention to Instagram: “Your social media page is the magazine of your life, so how you represent yourself matters.” The agency also has an Instagram scouting account (weloveyourgenes) so you can get their attention that way too.
IMG also attempts to push the envelope when it comes to diversity insisting they push for different beauty standards and recently launching a division called Brawn, which celebrates the bigger male model
Models 1
British through and through, Models 1 is owned by its UK based management, with an HQ slap bang in the centre of London’s Covent Garden. Established in 1968, the agency began with just three models on its books but is now one of London’s most respected agencies.
They represent notable names such as Yasmin and Amber Le Bon, Olivia Palermo and Sophie Dahl but they also rep talent like actress Emilia Fox. As well as flying the British modelling flag they also seem to be doing their bit for older models – representing the original supermodel Twiggy and grey-haired goddess Daphne Selfe.
Models 1 does editorial and high end commercial work booking models for brands like Calvin Klein, GAP and Ralph Lauren. They’re well known for nurturing careers and being in it for the long term insisting they won’t let baby models in their care ‘run before they can walk’. They also stress the welfare of their models and insist they put the ‘care, safety and happiness of models above all else’ and before you think they are the Mother Theresa of the agency world, they say they do that because its in ‘the absolute interests of Models 1
Storm
Established 30 years ago by Sarah Doukas, Storm’s track record for finding new talent is hard to beat. They discovered Kate Moss (in an airport), Cara Delevingne, Jourdan Dunn (in Primark), Lily Cole, and the list goes on.
Despite its success, Storm hasn’t rested on its laurels, continuing to evolve by offering its clients varied in house services such as branding and licensing, artists’ management and opening new departments like StormVision which manages the careers of social influencers. Excitingly, Storm wants its models to get involved in the business side of their careers – encouraging them to keep an eye on their ownership of their own intellectual property and brand.
Storm wants to help its models develop their career, whether that’s just modelling or developing in other areas. If they see potential they sign people in all sorts of professions including bloggers, vloggers, actors, writers and presenters. This means they have a unique perspective and expertise.
Storm boss Sarah Doukas told Vogue magazine that she only employs caring people as agents. “You have to be a strong and inspiring influence as well as a brilliant business agent. I try to employ really caring people and not just people who are good at being agents.” You can test their niceness during their open castings which run Monday to Friday (10-12, 2-4pm) at their Chelsea office.
