So you’re blessed with outstanding beauty, live in Sydney and want to make a living flashing your fabulous Blue Steel across the globe? Lucky you! Your first step is to know Australia’s top modelling agencies, so you can launch your amazing career. StarNow is here to help with our guide to the leading agencies based in the Aussie capital of cool.
Chadwick Models is a big-name agency with a bigname roster of talent to match. This is where Elle McPherson, Travis Fimmel and Rachel Hunter all started. Established in 1976, Chadwick is now Australia’s largest model agency, and seems they know what they’re doing. In just five years, they guided 16 year old Adut Akech from modelling newbie to one of the world’s leading models, who works with brands such as Givenchy, Chanel, Victoria’s Secret, and Estee Lauder.
Chadwick’s powerhouse reps focus on campaign and editorial work, and more recently they’ve moved into managing social media influencers such as Steph Claire Smith, Laura Henshaw, Dan Brown, and Elisha and Renee Herbert. They know how to manage successful careers and have the track record to prove it.
Submission policy: Submit via email to your nearest Chadwick office, including your contact details, measurements, and a couple of recent snapshots (not exceeding 2 MB total). Women must meet the minimum height requirement of 5’8” or 173 cm; males should be 6’0” or 183 cm.
Women (Sydney): women@chadwickmodels.com
Men (Sydney): men@chadwickmodels.com
Sydney was where it all began for Vivien’s Models back in 1967. Now with four offices nationwide and a worldwide reputation, Vivien’s is still going strong. Always on the lookout for top talent, the agency runs regular model searches and are always eager to launch a “virtual unknown into model superstardom.”
Family run and owned, Vivien’s Models has a roster of top talent on their books, including names like Gemma Ward and Jessica Gomes. If you can see a career beyond the catwalk, in your future then Vivien’s may be the perfect fit—they’ve helped lots of their talent transition into the world’s of film, TV, and music. For example, Mad Max: Fury Road star Courtney Eaton is a Vivien’s model.
They also have a busy social media department, so if you fancy yourself an influencer, Vivien’s might be your future home.
Submission policy: Submit via email to your nearest Vivien’s office, including contact details, measurements, and a couple of recent snapshots (not exceeding 2 MB total). Women must meet the minimum height requirement of 5’8” or 173 cm and be between 14 and 20 years old; men should be 6’0” or 183 cm and at least 16 years of age.
You can also visit an office for an in-person assessment (no appointment needed) on weekdays between 10 o’clock to 12 o’clock or between 14 o’clock and 16 o’clock. Wear little-to-no makeup, and bring a couple of recent snapshots of yourself, printed or on a USB drive.
Sydney: sydney@viviensmodels.com.au
Founded in 1992 by Ursula Hufnagl, Chic Management has Aussie offices in Sydney and Brisbane, and is a major player in Australia and globally. Known as the agency that helped launch the careers of big names such as Abbey Lee Kershaw, Miranda Kerr, Montana Cox, Catherine McNeil and Alyssa Sutherland, Chic has a strong rep for great all-around management in modelling and beyond.
Chic Models regularly feature in the world’s leading fashion publications and work for top brands like Dior, Chanel and Gucci. The agency also stresses long term strategy when it comes to modelling careers: they help their models work in areas from brand development to PR, presenting to acting. They offer support and advise on negotiation and contracts, as well providing access to their wide range of contacts in varying creative pursuits.
Chic also reps influencers, directors and producers under their digital creative banner, and Chic offshoot Scoop Management also concentrates on commercial modelling work. All in all, Chic seems to have it covered.
Submission policy: Submit online via Chic’s website here. Alternatively, submit via email to modelsearch@chicmanagement.com.au with your name, date of birth, and contact phone number; measurements (height, bust, waist, and hips); a clear, simple portrait photo (as a JPEG); and a statement of parental approval (if you are under 14 years of age). Chic aims to reply to submissions of interest within seven days.
Fancy being repped by the agency that also has the likes of Fernanda Ly, Julia Nobis and Naomi Campbell on their board? Then it’s time to look at Priscillas Model Management. Based in Sydney and Melbourne, Priscillas was set up in the nineties by Priscilla Leighton Clark (of” Australia’s Next Top Model” fame) and quickly developed an international reputation.
The agency boutique; its smaller size allows for a close knit, nurturing ethos. As Doll Wright, head of booking and scouting, told the Broadsheet website, “A model agency should become an extension of a model’s family…. We are involved in every aspect of our model’s life, professionally and emotionally.”
Models are guided to top flight careers that last, with Priscillas’ quirky beautiful faces often gracing the pages of magazines such as “Vogue,” “Harper’s,” and “Vanity Fair.” Recently, agency stars have booked work with brands such as Miu Miu, Ralph Lauren, and Dior in edgy editorials with worldwide exposure. The agency also partners with Primary Management, offering routes in to work in TV, film, sport and music.
Submission policy: Submit via Priscillas’ online form, which requires your contact details, measurements, at least two photos, and links to any social media profiles.
If Priscillas is small, IMG is an international giant. Established in 1987 by sports über agent Mark McCormack, IMG has offices across the world and represents some of the biggest names in the industry. Gigi Hadid, Chrissy Teigen, Hailey Bieber, Alexandra Agoston, and Nicole Trunfio have all featured on IMG’s model boards.
IMG models, many of whom have achieved global celebrity status, regularly grace the covers of “Vogue,” “Harper’s Bazaar,” and “Elle.” It’s a big agency with a big global board, but not too big to care: IMG has been proactive about addressing mental health within the industry, creating Model Prep, a biannual initiative devoted to the “total well-being” of young models.
As well as outer beauty, the agency also stresses the importance of personality when it comes to successful careers. Expect to be asked about your life away from the catwalk by any potential scout. McCormack believed that models should be managed in a similar way to professional athletes, actors, and entertainers; IMG models have benefitted from that approach. In 2014 the agency was bought by the talent agency William Morris Endeavor, offering even more scope for movement into the entertainment sphere.
Submission policy: Firstly, contact the Sydney office on +61 (2) 9285 8000 or via sydney@imgmodels.com to ask if they are currently taking submissions. These days the main way in for unsigned faces is the agency’s long running Instagram scouting process @weloveyourgenes. All the instructions are in a tab labeled “How to Apply,” and if they like what they see, they’ll get in touch directly (so watch those DMs!).