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!

If you are an aspiring model who lives in close proximity to New York, you can go in person to some modeling agencies. ”Open calls” take place at a set time each week, and during a 1 or 2 hour window, you can show up and wait your turn for a quick (usually) perusal of your photos. Some agencies have age and height limitations—you may have to be under 21 and over 5’8″ or 5’9″ (for women; men have  more flexibility in age range and generally should be over 5’11″ and under 6’3″).

Model Cara Delevingne’s striking features can turn heads in a top market like NY

Tips for Model Submissions and Agency Open-Calls

If you don’t live in the New York area, it’s wise to submit photos via e-mail first and see if you get a response. Showing up in person may slightly increase your odds of being signed, but the odds of getting representation in New York are always tiny. It’s a highly competitive market. Don’t drop $1,000 on a trip to New York unless you are eager to see the Empire State Building anyway and don’t have expectations of becoming a supermodel within the month!

If you do attend open calls, apply minimal makeup (but enough to downplay flaws and play up your best features), wear form-fitting clothing but be tasteful, show a sense of style and your unique personality! Girls, if you are under 5’10″, wear heels. You will live in them if you are lucky enough to be sent out on go-sees.

Open-Call Times (double-check on the agencies’ websites for changes/updates):

New York Model Management – Women on Thursdays from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at 596 Broadway, 7th floor   Tel. (212) 539-1700

Men, submit online (women can as well): Newyorkmodels.com

New York Model Management

Next – Wednesdays from 10:30 to 11 (women only) at 15 Watts St., 6th floor   Tel. (212) 925-5100

Submit online

Red – Men only on Wednesdays from 3 to 5 p.m. at 302 West 37th St, 3rd floor   Tel. (212) 785-1999

Submit online

Request Model Management – Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to noon at 156 Fifth Avenue, suite 1134   Tel. (212) 529-4130

Submit online

Wilhelmina – Click link for open call calendar.  300 Park Ave. South, 2nd floor  Tel. (212) 473-0700

Submit online

Wilhelmina Curve Division

Enter the Modeling Mentor Model Search—a great way to be seen by the top agents who receive my monthly Modeling Newsletter showcasing the finalists!

I’ve written about modeling scams before, but the questions about dubious modeling services, agencies, and scouts keep coming. As long as there are modeling scams (which there will be for as long as there are aspiring models), I’ll keep issuing warnings!

How to Spot a Modeling Scam

Often you can tell a legit website with photos of successful models from one with sub-par models featured on the home page.

IMG London: A Legit Model Agency Site

That’s one tip that could help this reader, as well as a reminder that alarm bells should go off if a company asks for money up front (in this case, even before meeting the aspiring model).

Her Question:

“I recently put up a pic and applied to a website in London (I am from Ireland); I received a text message saying they saw my application and would like me to ring them on a number he had sent me in the text. I did and he said they would like to see me in three weeks as my pic shows modeling potential. They sent me an email and would like to see me to assess me. They need 50 pounds deposit and I will get it back if I show up.”

My Answer:

Stay tuned for a blog post on model agency open call times, coming next week.

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

Subscribe to my free monthly Modeling Newsletter and be first to see the finalists, plus stay up to date on modeling tips and news!

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!