The Model Agency Mega Thread (January 2004 - March 2010)

[sleb]

Hi there,

I may be wrong, but what for have you gone to a commercial agency in case you don't have editorials? I'm not sure about Boston area, but it's not likely that one does smth big and nice without a book. And book is done usually either through main fashion agencies, or on secondary markets.
10% sounds bullsh*t, though if you try to work in a commercial agency without a book, there would be no difference between 10% or 50%! Usually the agencies take 20-25% from your gross.
Serious agencies usually send the girl to do some free tests in order to start with her promotion.
Why don't you try some main fashion agency? They may make you a nice book and you'll decide yourself what to do with it afterwards.

 

[Blunier]

(I reply to various messages following my message #1164 in this thread.)

While it is true that in real life a good eye can assess a girl's potential even if she's coming straight from a party at 06h00 (06:00am), though depending on clothes it can be difficult to get a fair idea about her body, submission pictures are a different story. Sometimes they're even so bad that it's close to impossible to get an idea about how that person looks. Even the best scout can't invent things bad pictures don't show, therefore it's certainly not true that "any" snapshot will do it.

About the "...we feel you're beautiful but...", I was just quoting a verbatim excerpt from LOVE's message (was referring to an e-mail). Replies widely vary. Sometimes an agency staff member can take his/her time to discuss with the girl and give her honest advice, sometimes comments are rude, and sometimes comments are pure hypocrisy just because one hasn't any time to start a discussion. It can be anything, once again, there is no standard answer.

Being able to handle both friendly or rude rejection is a must, at any modeling level.

And anyway, beautiful of not isn't the question, it's about $$$$$$. Agencies are businesses and not the Aspiring Model's Salvation Army. If they see potential for revenues they'll be interested, if not it's "Next please". Potential depends on the girl, the agency and their partners as well as their respective markets, the location etc. It's useless to ask about "the best agency", the question to ask is which agency is the best one for a specific aspiring model today.
Last detail, shooting polaroids, though here I'm mainly referring to digital pictures as aspiring models rarely have a true Polaroid camera to shoot their submission pics, isn't difficult. It requires some time and maybe it would also be a good idea to once read the camera User's Manual. Some don't even wait until autofocus has locked and just stab the shutter release like a vampire slayer (other photography heresies I don't even mention here). And BTW please push grandma's sofa to the side and remember that it's about you, not your stuffed Teddy Bear in the background. Don't blame the camera, in most cases the camera isn't the culprit.

Blunier

 

[*DiamondQueen*]

anyone have any answers?

To be honest answering this question is quite difficult. But I never ever heard anybody talking about 10% that makes me wonder
Good Luck!

 

[Chalice]

local modeling

Question: So there is a well known commercial agency in Boston who I met with yesterday, they said they'd like to sign me -but first they said I need to have some professional photos done for a compcard and to put online, and I'm guessing AFTER I've had the pictures done I'll sign a contract? There wasn't any talk of contracts and such during our meeting, I was only told they would take 10% of what I'd earn. Does this all sound normal?

Some agencies only have contracts with their international/editorial models.

THEY will not be paying for your business materials, you will be. They sometimes front costs for the editorial girls.

 

[millionbcks1]

I was wondering if anyone could give me their opinion on Major Models.

From what I gather they're considered among the top agencies 10 in N.Y right? Anyone know if they rank the same in their Paris and Milan locations?

I have a friend who was offered to be signed w/ them in all 3 cities.

Any advice you can give or any info you know on them would be greatly appreciated.

thanks!

 

[sleb]

I was wondering if anyone could give me their opinion on Major Models.

From what I gather they're considered among the top agencies 10 in N.Y right? Anyone know if they rank the same in their Paris and Milan locations?

I have a friend who was offered to be signed w/ them in all 3 cities.

Any advice you can give or any info you know on them would be greatly appreciated.

thanks!

Major Milan is regarded as a normal commercial agency, not bad. Major Paris is a weak agency. But everything depends on the model's level also: Major Paris is still better than Ego or smth...

Best.

 

[millionbcks1]

Thank you very much Sleb.

another question if someone doesn't mind answering...

how strong is the women's board for Major in N.Y? Going from Models.com list, I gather they're one of the best. Still, would you recommend meeting w. other agencies as well?

 

[Rochas]

^nnnoooo major is not one of the best in new york

Definitely check out other agencies first.

 

[woemwoem]

major's reputation rests solely on Tiuu but it can be argued that she would have hit it big with any agency. None of its other girls have done anything well major. It's sort of like Metropolitan when it had Claudia Schiffer. It was sheer luck it found her but it was never a great agench who could take its girls to the heights of model-dom. I suspect Major is the same. So far take away Tiuu and they don't have much success with its other girls.

 

[sleb]

Totally agree. She should try the other agencies for sure. Actually Major NY is not a main fashion agency, it doesn't do the shows. If she's in main fashion, Major is not for her. Actually the best way to check main fashion agencies is to look at the shows at style.com.
But, again, much depends on her level and on her situation. If you describe here what she did, you'll get more detailed recommendations.

Best.

 

[millionbcks1]

She just started out like 4 months ago in L.A. (She's w/ a known agency there. She doesn't want me to say which one psh! But they're very much commerical based and I would say tend to have a lot of "traditionally beautiful" girls on their board). She did L.A Fashion wk, a couple of commercials, and other jobs here and there, nothing like HUGE. It's definitely all been commercial work. She was told that the only thing she needed work on is her book .

Which leads me to another question (I must be getting annoying by now. But ALL your comments are GREATLY appreciated!).

Do you think top agencies will turn down a girl due to a weak book? Even if they are just starting out? Or if they see the potential, I would think they can look past that.

She does want to get into fashion. She's about 5'11 (maybe a bit under), real skinny around a size 2-4, carmel complexion. Not to be biased, but she does have a beautiful face. I know one of the top agencies in Miami was interested in taking her on (I think there's only like 2 anyway..), so she's got that kind of look, if that helps at all.

I'm not sure it neccesarily fits in w/ the look of high fashion now-a-days, but w/ the right management, I do think she could do well- even if just commercially. But at the end of the day, it's about paying the bills, ya know?

After reading everyone opinions here, I'll advise her to meet w/ other agencies as well, and hopefully Major won't be the only offer! She's spoken w/ her mother agency, but it's always good to get outside resources as well.

thanks a BUNCH everyone : )

 

[sleb]

In case she's got a mother agent she wants to be with for future she should ask him/her to organize an appointment in NY agencies. Usually that's the best way if her mother agency has got a good reputation.
I told earlier answering to some other question that the books are easily done either through main fashion agencies or on the secondary markets. It's not a big problem for a strong agency and every new face is coming with the snapshots only so... They never say "good-bye" just because you don't have a book.

Well, for more detailed advices you're welcome to contact me in private.

Best.

 

[Blunier]

As you can't post nor mention her stats here (it's not allowed for some good reasons) it's impossible to give you a really useful answer. Describing potential using words doesn't work, even polaroids don't necessarily tell the whole story. It really all depends on her; no one can assess her potential reading text messages. She should determine the best option for her and don't wait, it's never too early, one can still come back later if too young, but often too late. I'd like to help you more but I can't; maybe one advice: She shouldn't invest in online portfolios, agencies rely primarily on their own scouting network. Open calls are a good option too but not all agencies have open calls. Submitting pictures is like a lottery, though open calls can be similar, it depends a lot on how experienced the agency staff member(s) is/are. On a good day it can be the head of scouting, on a bad day an inexperienced intern....

You wrote:
"Do you think top agencies will turn down a girl due to a weak book? Even if they are just starting out? Or if they see the potential, I would think they can look past that?"

Once again it's impossible to answer, it depends on her, especially also on her age. I don't remember if you mentioned her age but if she wants to start at 20 she better has something to show, if a girl is 15 it's far less a problem as there's plenty of time for her development and indeed it's not even recommended to invest in a portfolio alone as only the agency will know exactly what is required (most likely she'd end with useless pictures, I mean useless from her future agency's POV). One can start at 20 or even slightly above though it becomes much harder with each additional year and the later you start the more you must show that you aren't a newbie.

(I refer to fashion/editorial, not commercial.)

Blunier

 

[Modelgirlie]

I can't find the thread for Members who are signed models but there is a forum http://www.modelshotel.com/ for them only signed models can join have to be signed with a top fashion agency. It's totally private and tons of members check it out.

Must be with one of the agencies on this list(if you are with a fashion agency and it's missing from the list contact them with the info
http://www.modelshotel.com/index.php?mode=agencyList

ModelsHotel.com has been created exclusively for professional fashion models who work all around the world. Membership to ModelsHotel.com is limited and private. The site is designed to assist models in various areas, catering for their specific requirements and lifestyle. The site offers many benefits to members, including; connecting with other established models, view listings of private events, discuss housing, employment and travel opportunities in the forums.
ModelsHotel.com enables models to stay in touch through a gated community. We allow our guests limited invites if they wish to extend their network. The invites are given upon agreement and the agreement consents that the forwarded invite is to a model, which likewise, is exclusively represented by a well- known established agency.
ModelsHotel.com prides itself as a distinguished community. Our guests range from newly signed to the industry's elite. The site's primary goal is to form a helpful and useful community of trust, respect and privacy. ModelsHotel.com was created by Jesper Lannung in 2006, developed by Jeff Labarbera and designed by Steve Baughman

 

[enVogue]

Does anybody know the agency Figaromodels in Tashkent, Uzbekistan? http://www.figaromodels.com ?
Are they serious and good working?
Need your advice, please!!

 

[sleb]

Does anybody know the agency Figaromodels in Tashkent, Uzbekistan? http://www.figaromodels.com ?
Are they serious and good working?
Need your advice, please!!

From what is written on their website, their management seems to be fine. That is if you're living nearby, it may be a good choice. At least their "castings" page is real and "covers" page also.
Hope that helps.

 

[*DiamondQueen*]

It would be the best to know somebody who has worked with them and can tell you personal experiences!

 

[enVogue]

thanks a lot for your effort sleb!!!
the thing is I'm considering doing direct bookings with them but I don't know if they have good contacts to partner agencies in other countries (Asia etc.) like mentioned on their website. Did anybody ever work together with them? Do you think they have good partner
agencies and it's worth choosing them for sending me abroad? Opinions needed, pleasseeeee....

 

[sleb]

thanks a lot for your effort sleb!!!
the thing is I'm considering doing direct bookings with them but I don't know if they have good contacts to partner agencies in other countries (Asia etc.) like mentioned on their website. Did anybody ever work together with them? Do you think they have good partner
agencies and it's worth choosing them for sending me abroad? Opinions needed, pleasseeeee....

Actually I would suggest that you write me into private and I'll be able to explain to you whether it is good or not. Anyway, it sounds nonsense to wait for Asian directs as the clients are unpredictable there and nobody cares too much about your book or name etc. Re having partners in Pan-Asian region it's not a big thing really.
Best.

 

[enVogue]

thanks a lot for your answers sleb!!!
the thing is i just thought taking them for arrange me working contracts (for 2,3 months) with their partner agencies, but i really don't know if that makes sense...what do you think? that's what i meant with 'direct'...