Top New York City Modeling Agencies
Are you a model in New York? Here are the top New York City Modeling Agencies to work with today.
Talented models are everywhere. Before Instagram helped make it possible for these individuals to get their careers started – modeling agencies were the primary source. They were the go-to when it came to getting your work out in the world.
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A Brief History on Modeling
Modeling has come far from its beginning days. Before the 1800’s, modeling was a term used to describe anyone posing for a portrait.
After the invention of the camera ads, newspapers began to incorporate men and women. Thus modeling as we know it was born. Charles Frederick Worth, an English fashion designer was the first to use his wife to model his designs in the 1850’s. Preceding that only mannequins were used to showcase clothes. His wife Marie Augustine was the first “live” mannequin and is considered the first ever fashion model.
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It was after Worth began using live models, that modeling became recognized as a profession. It was in 1946 that Ford Models, created by Eileen and Gerard Ford became the first and most prestigious modeling agency in the world.
This is where hobby changed to career and agencies paved the way to help models achieve that. Then in the 1960’s, agencies began popping up all over the world.
Now, we are in the digital age of modeling. With social media changing everything once again. Models share parts of their lives that were never seen before. Suddenly, a model’s following on Instagram became a huge factor in a brand’s decision to hire them.
The Modeling World Is Evolving
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With the modeling world constantly evolving, there is a huge market for models of all different sizes, heights, ages, and backgrounds.
There has never been a better or more competitive time to become a model. And, even though it’s possible to be discovered without the help of an agency. It’s nice to have the option of one to help you get started.
So, below you will find a list of the modeling agencies in New York City that you’ll want to check out to start your career in the industry.
New York City Modeling Agencies
Click Models
Located at 129 West 27th Street, PH, New York, NY, 10001
Phone: 212 206 1717
Founded in 1980, Click now represents over 1,000 models in various categories such as women, men, plus size, showroom and television. Click also works with Framework Entertainment. Famous faces represented by them include Uma Thurman, Elle MacPherson, and Whitney Houston.
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DNA Model Management LLC
Located: 555 West 25th Street, 6th Floor, New York, NY, 10001
Phone: 212 226 0080
Email: info@dnamodels.com
DNA manages some of the top talented editorial and commercial models. There’s not much direction on on how to get scouted other than to send head shots to submission.women@dnamodels.com for women and submission.men@dnamodels.com for men.
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Elite
Location: 245 Fifth Avenue, 24th Floor, New York, NY, 10016
Phone: 212 529 9700
Founded in 1977 by John Casablancas, Elite is famous for giving birth to what is known as the “Supermodel” and redefining the industry. Constantly setting trends in the industry this is not a bad place to consider.
Fenton Model Management
Location: 207 East 63rd Street, #1-West, New York, NY, 10065
Phone: 212 758 9500
Email: fm@fentonmodels.com
An upscale men and women’s boutique agency in NY representing high-end fashion models from around the world. Relatively new starting in 2009 Fenton works with some of the industries brightest photographers, magazines, catalogs, and designers. The major focus is diligent work for their clients.
Ford Models New York
Location: 11 East 26th Street, 14th Floor, New York, NY, 10010
Phone: (212)-219-6500
Can’t go wrong with the first established modeling agency. Being around for more than half a century definitely has its perks. To be considered you can submit an application on their website with an optional video.
Fusion Models
Location: 101 North Tenth Street, Suite 301, Brooklyn, NY, 11249
Phone: 212 675 1300
Email:info@fusionmodelsny.com
A boutique-style agency making a name for themselves in NY with locations abroad as well.
Heroes Model Management
Location: 50 Greene Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY, 10013
Phone: +1(212)226-2790
Email:info@heroesmodels.com
Newly born into the agency world during the summer of 2015 their mission is to build lasting careers for models while recognizing the talent’s individual strengths and personalities.
IMG Models
Location: 304 Park Avenue South, 12th Floor, New York, NY, 10010
Phone: 212 253 8884
Representing models like Gisele Bundchen, Kate Moss, and Heidi Klum, this agency is a no-brainer. To get scouted IMG, they require passport style photos including head shots, full length, and profile. Along with a video listing your name, height, and a casual walk toward and away from the camera.
Location: 341 West 38th Street, Floor 2, New York, NY, 10018 U
Phone: 212 685 1200
Email: info@majormodel.com
Founded in 1999, Major’s philosophy offers solid plans of management to models. Major is also known for having a loyal family atmosphere and they consistently put passion and ethics first.
Marilyn Agency
Location: 32 Union Sq. East, Penthouse, New York, NY, 10003
Phone: 212 260 6500
Established in 1998, Marilyn has one of the most prestigious reputations in the country. Core values include being on the edge of fashion trends, ethical standards, individually tailored management to models, and much more.
MC2 Model Management
Location: 6 West 14th Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY, 10011
Phone: 646 638 3330
Email: nyoffice@mc2models.com
Their concept has always been about bringing realistic management in and an exclusive environment to enhance opportunities for models.
Muse
Location: 150 Broadway, 1101, New York, NY, 10038
Phone: 212 625 2356
Email: scouting@musenyc.com
Muse over the last 11 years has built the clientele of a powerhouse while maintaining the management style of a boutique.
New York Model Management
Location: 71 West 23rd Street, Suite 301, New York, NY, 10010
Phone: 212 539 1700
Although it’s not the longest running agency in the business it has been voted as one of the top ten modeling agencies in NYC and boasts about a lot of real-world experience and an edgy attitude. Vice President Marion Smith spent many years at Ford with Eileen Ford herself. Can’t get much closer to industry experience than that.
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Next New York
Location: 15 Watts Street, 6th floor, New York, NY, 10013
Phone: 212 925 5100
Next is the agency behind current models like Abbey Lee Kershaw, Arizona Muse, and Suki Waterhouse. Next does open casting calls and was established in 1989.
One Management
Location: 42 Bond Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY, 10012
Phone: 212 505 5545
Email: info@onemanagement.com
Established in 2001, One represents 4 divisions of talent including women, men, commercial, and talent.
Q Model Management NY
Location: 354 Broadway, New York, NY, 10013
Phone: 212 807 6777
Email:nyc@qmanagementinc.com
In January of 1998, during a time when a lot of modeling agencies were falling apart, Q opened its doors in NYC and launched Q online.
Now, they are known as one of the strongest management agencies in the World. With some of the most progressive agents paving the path for such supermodels and celebrities like Charlize Theron, Ivana Milicevic, Scott Weiland of Stone Temple Pilots, and Nigel Barker of America’s Next Top Model.
Q is a very great place to put your trust in.
Red Model Management
Location: 302 West 37th Street, 3rd Floor, New York, NY, 10018
Phone: 212 785 1999
Silent Model NY
Location: 147 W 26th Street,3rd floor, New York, NY, 10001 United States
Phone:646 370 1582
Email:info@silentmodelsny.com
This boutique agency represents a variety of nationalities and ethnicities. They only represent women, and when submitting shot they ask that you avoid wearing make-up for accessories.
Soul Artist Management
Location: 11 West 25th Street, 9th Floor, New York, NY, 10010
Phone: 646 827 1188
Email: info@soulartistmanagement.com
State Management
Location: 200 West 41st Street, 19th Floor, New York, NY, 10018
Phone:212 302 7792
Email: NYC@STATEMGMT.COM
Started in 2015, this agency offers a modern alternative in a rapidly evolving industry. They boast a progressive scouting approach, a holistic development approach, and a personalized management approach. Their focus: emerging NEW faces.
Supreme Management
Location: 199 Lafayette Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY, 10012
Phone:212 334 7480
Supreme has a client roster made up of some of the most sought after models working today.
Their focus is on discovering new talent and transforming them into working superstars. The agency’s signature is a collective approach, leveraging the know-how and industry relationships from a team of agents rather than one representative.
They boast a big commitment to each client’s long-term objectives. They have a warning that agents from their company will contact you directly for a spot, never by Skype or email.
The Lions
Location: 286 5TH AVENUE, 12TH FL, New York, NY, 10012
Phone: 212 226 7360
Email: info@thelionsny.com
The Lions strives to disrupt balance and push boundaries, and empower their talent to do the things that they love.
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The Society Management
Location: 156 5th Avenue, 8th Floor, New York, NY, 10010
Phone: +1 212 377-5025
Email: info@thesocietymanagement.com
Child party of Elite World which opened in 2013. They have an impressive roster of names and let’s face it in most industries it’s who you know. Names like Adriana Lima, Liu Wen, Lindsey Wixon, and Kendall Jenner. They strive to cultivate unique journeys for all of their models.
VNY Models
Location: 928 Broadway, Suite 700, New York, NY, 10010
Phone: 212 206 1012
VNY is still one of New York’s top boutique firms. They have an undeniable track record for turning unknown models into common household names.
Wilhelmina New York
Location: 300 Park Avenue South, New York, NY, 10010
Phone: 212 473 0700
Wilhelmina represents fitness as well as plus-sized models. They also offer management services for entertainers and musicians. There’s no doubt you will meet a wide array of creatives in this agency.
Women 360
Location: 199 Lafayette Street, #7, New York, NY, 10012
Phone: 646 443 9820
When/if applying here it is wise to have specific career aspirations that you can talk about, this proves potential to an employer. Not to mention that their diverse support of models has given them the ability to have a long and successful career.
Women Management
Location: 199 Lafayette Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY, 10012
Phone: 212 334 7480
This vision for this agency is one that encompasses all types of beauty. Their motto is to keep working even well after the successes.
