Top 10 Modeling Agencies in New York – Women’s Division

Teen girls through young women looking for representation by reputable modeling agencies in NYC—the biggest modeling hub of the U.S.—this is the list for you! Agencies go in and out of vogue as fast as models do, so it’s key to have up-to-date info on the who’s who of the booking world. You also have to look out for all the modeling scams out there; plenty of slimeballs are ready to take advantage of your modeling dreams and turn them into a nightmare. The modeling agencies on this list are not going to ask for money to see them or sign with them. They are the real deal and they are very busy, so rather than pestering them by phone, refer to the info and their website links below to find out how to submit your photos or attend an open call [What to Wear to an Open Call]. You also can submit to my model search to be seen by top agents: Enter the Modeling Mentor Model Search 

If you are looking for an agency for your child, refer to this post: Top Kids Modeling Agencies in NYC

If you are looking for a top modeling agency for men, look for a blog post on that topic coming soon!

DNA

Models on DNA’s main board

DNA Models

T. 212-226-0080
555 West 25th Street, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10001

Elite

Elite Models “Elite” Division

Open Call: Tuesdays at 5 pm
(Must be at least 5’7″ and 15 years old)
Empower Me/Submissions: Elite
245 5th Avenue, 24th Floor
New York, New York 10016

Ford Models

Models on Ford’s Women’s Board

Get Scouted: Ford Models

T. 212-219-6500
11 East 26th Street, 14th Floor
New York, NY 10010

IMG

Models from IMG’s Women’s Division

Get Scouted: IMG Models

T. 212-253-8884
304 Park Avenue South, 12th Floor
New York, NY 10010

New York Model Management

Models in the Women’s Division at New York Models

Open Call: Thursdays, 10:30 to 11:30 am
(Age 13+, 5’9″ to 6′)
Become a Model: New York Models

T. 212-539-1700
71 West 23rd Street, Suite 301
New York, NY
10010 United States

Next

Models from Next’s Women’s Division

The Industry Model Management

Models from Industry’s New Gen board, including Modeling Mentor Model of the Year Alexa Kissling

Some of the models on Industry’s Management board

How to be Discovered by: The Industry

infoNY@theindustrymodelmgmt.com
T. 212-660-8800
Pier 59 Studios
59 Chelsea Piers, LEVEL 3
NY, NY 10011

The Lions

Models in the The Lions Women’s Division

About: The Lions

T. 212 226 7360
Email: bediscovered@thelionsny.com
286 5th Avenue, 12th FL
New York, NY 10012

The Society

Models in Society’s Women’s Division

The Society
Submissions: Scouting@thesocietymanagement.com
212 377-5025
156 5th Avenue, 8th Floor
New York, NY 10010

Women Management

Models on the main board at Women Management

Become a Model: Women
T. 212 334 7480
199 Lafayette Street, 7th Floor
New York, NY 10012

ENTER THE MODELING MENTOR MODEL SEARCH AND BE DISCOVERED!

Models on Bicoastal’s Fit Board

Tell us about your agency:

Bicoastal Fitting Models was created in 2009 while I was pregnant with my second child.  Initially, my thought was only to find my replacement fit model but instead of finding my twin body to carry on while I grew a 9 pound baby, I found myself with referrals and booked both Petite and Plus models with our initial clients.  Now, we book models of all sizes for fit, including children, with clients and models based in NYC, LA, Boston, and Hong Kong.  In 2012, we created a print board and have delighted in seeing our models and talent get called into great castings every week!  We have also been excited to book runway shows with a number of brands, and continue to add models to our Fashion Board to be ready for the next season’s shows!

Bicoastal Founder Malissa Young

What sets Bicoastal apart from other agencies?

There are a few things that we believe set us apart from other model management companies.  For one, as a former model myself, and with our head booker Nikki Gomez as another former model and fashion photographer, we care about our models and can relate to them!  We love it when we hear that we are one of the nicest agencies and believe it is part of why we grow.  We also can advise our models based on our direct experience of what clients are looking for from posture to poise, photos and even casting/booking etiquette.

Who are some of your clients?

Bicoastal Models aka Bicoastal Fitting Models specializes in finding fit models for brands that range from the hip and trendy boutique brands to the missy department store brands.  As the owner/founder, I always feel excited about new castings and seeing us expand and work with brands I personally covet for my closet!  Currently, DVF, Tory Burch, Haute Hippie, Inhabit jump to mind!  I do miss the days I modeled for great brands and had an employee invite to sample sales that were legendary (think $1,200 marked down to $50).

What other divisions besides fit do you have?

Our growth into the Commercial Print and Showroom/Print world has been a fun natural turn of events given the fact that we found ourselves with great talent who didn’t have the perfect measurements for fit  but had a combination of factors that meant we knew we could find them work.  Working in this field is like building a puzzle; I enjoy the challenge as well as seeing people achieve their goals!  It is very rewarding to participate in that. Our Plus division has been expanding with Nikki’s extra attention to it given her expertise in the Plus world.  We are excited to have had models book some great Plus fit accounts as well as catalogs, E-commerce and runway!  This is a hot area in my mind, given the fact that there is a customer base that seems under marketed to.  It has really been amazing to meet so many plus models who have redefined beautiful and sexy (eliminating the skinny bit) which is so much healthier for women and girls who need to embrace their beauty in whatever shape or size it comes in.

Stay tuned for Part 2 from Malissa next week and find out how you may fit into the modeling world, whether you are a size 4 or size 18. Plus learn how much fit models make and more on commercial modeling. Don’t miss it!

Subscribe to my Free Monthly Modeling Mentor Newsletter

You’ve seen her beautiful face. Now get to know Abryanna Hodges, the high school senior and aspiring model from Florida, who wowed the judges and won Modeling Mentor Model of the Year 2013!

Abryanna Hodges, shot by Chad Heller

JJ: What inspired you to try modeling?

AH: I ‘ve always been photogenic, since I was a little girl. I remember always dressing up and wanting to be in front of the camera. I have a passion for modeling. It is what I love! 

JJ: Who is your favorite model (current and all-time fave)?

AH: This is a tough question for me. I am inspired by many models, but current I would go with Adriana Lima. My all-time favorite is Gisele Bundchen.

(Read my Interview with Adriana Lima.)

JJ: Have you done any modeling?

AH: I have done local fashions shows.

JJ: What would be your dream modeling job?

AH: My Dream modeling job would be to be a signed Victoria’s Secret Angel! This is my ultimate task at hand. I love what the brand represents, I feel it represents me, and I want to show the world that!

JJ: What do you do to stay in shape?

AH: I love eating healthy and taking maximum care of my body. I work out 6 days a week and eat super healthy—I believe health comes from within! I run, jump rope, boxing, anything that requires cardio. 

JJ: What are your hobbies/interests?

AH: I love to be near the water and enjoy meditation, anything that is relaxing. I like going running on the beach, spending time with my family, and enjoying nature.

JJ: What are your plans after you graduate from high school this spring?

AH: I plan to go to New York and meet with agencies! I hope to have a choice of agents and to move to New York. I have been working hard to prepare for it, and it’s paying off. This contest has gotten me the opportunity of my dreams. I pray for the best! 

JJ: Who is your favorite designer?

AH: Pascal Mouawad! I love the excellence he brings to his masterpieces.

JJ: What do you think the hardest part of modeling will be?

AH: Traveling. To be at so many locations, but I love it.

JJ: How do you feel about winning Modeling Mentor Model of the Year?

AH: I am honored!

Abryanna is having consultations with Page Parkes and New York Model Management, as part of her prize package. Wish her good luck!

Stay tuned for details on the 2014 Model Search. Feel free to submit your photos now!

The Best Modeling Agencies in New York

Click  (Women, Men, Plus, Fitting & Showroom)

Click Models

DNA  (Women, Men)

DNA Models

Elite  (Women, Showroom & Fittings)

Elite Models

Ford  (Women, Men, Plus, Artists)

Fusion  (Women, Men)

IMG  (Women, Men)

Major  (Women, Men)

Marilyn  (Women, Celebrities)

New York Models  (Women, Men, Children)

Next  (Women, Talent, Musicians, Chefs, Artists)

One Management  (Women, Men, Celebrities)

Red  (Men)

Request  (Men, Women)

Root  (Men)

Soul Artist Management  (Men, Women)

Supreme  (Women)

The Society   (Women)

Trump  (Women)

VNY  (Men, Women)

Wilhelmina  (Women, Men, Artists, Creative, Kids & Teens)

Women  (Women)

Don’t forget to enter the Modeling Mentor Model Search!

And subscribe to my free monthly Modeling Newsletter to be first to see the finalists!

This is a cross-over zone between modeling and acting. Many modeling agencies work with commercial agencies, who will rep their models and send them out for commercials (assuming they can read a script, memorize lines when needed—basically have some rudimentary acting skills, but not necessarily formal training).

Dakota Fanning’s Big Break: A National Tide Commercial

J, my 9-year-old, is with Shirley Grant, a management company—which is similar to an agency (see Generation), but a manager gets castings for print and commercial jobs through various agencies (those agencies get a cut) as well as acting auditions. When I was modeling  with New York Models, I was also represented by Abrams Artists for commercials (and other gigs like pushing a gigantic fan onto the stage on Letterman and blowing feathers all over some random guy brought in from the street). J’s focus is acting, so we often skip the print castings (for standard modeling jobs, like catalogs and magazines), but we do try to go to commercial auditions. Commercials can pay well, especially the nationals, and they are good acting practice. Often J has to memorize “sides” (lines)—sometimes a paragraph, sometimes a page or two and several versions. Generally we get a day’s notice for castings, so he’ll have one evening and a train ride to prepare. Luckily he’s a quick study. You don’t know until you are in the audition room which scene or part of a scene you’ll be asked to act out. The only thing you can be fairly sure of is that you will be asked to “slate,” which means saying your name and agency at the beginning of a video casting (and sometimes your age).

Young Ben Affleck in a Burger King Commercial

Last week, J had a casting for a toaster strudel commercial, which involved attempting to master a German accent for the role of “Hans Strudel.” J can roll his “r’s” (“Das Strrrrrrruudel”) a lot better than I can, but probably not as good as the native German speaker at the casting. Perhaps that kid will advise the writers that it’s not “das” strudel; it’s der strudel. (Thanks German neighbor and accent coach

You just never know what you may learn preparing for an audition. What I can tell you is that it’s rare to have an open casting for a commercial. In other words, your kid/you need an agent. Often agents are given set times by the casting agent and can only send a select number of people (those who are given times often are requested by the casting agent based on talent headshots and skills, if applicable).

I also can tell you that at a national Kraft Mac n Cheese commercial casting, for example, you will find a waiting room chock full of kids with memorable faces (which does not necessarily equal conventionally cute). See this blog post on Kid Modeling for the other qualities your little actor will need to succeed!

Subscribe for my free monthly Modeling Newsletter and Enter the Modeling Mentor Model Search!