What do models Kirsty Hume, Abbey Clancy, and Agyness Deyn have in common? Well, apart from being stunning, they all hail from the wet and wild north of the UK. For any aspiring model who, like the luxury fashion house Chanel, isn’t afraid of pairing fashion with a bit of rain, Manchester modelling agencies are a great place to start your career.
Modelling agencies hold many of the cards when it comes to the world of fashion. Their contacts, clients, and know-how can help you build and manage your modelling career.
So, where to begin? Check out our list of the best modelling agencies in Manchester and how to apply.
Founded in 1988, Boss is one of the oldest modelling agencies in Manchester. Over the years, its place in the field has grown, making it a bit of a one-stop shop. It also represents hair stylists, makeup artists, and fashion stylists—and it has its own studio space.
Boss is probably best known for being the mother agency of model and musician Karen Elson. Karen’s signature red hair was seen on all the major runways in the late 1990s.
Big names on its books today are models like Lauren A, who has shot for Guess, and Imogen Cunliffe, who was a favourite of the FW24 catwalks.
A good fit? You’ll like this agency if you’re interested in editorial, commercial, or family modelling. If you think you’re the ideal candidate for Boss, apply here.
Set up by former Boss booker Martha Poole in 2000, Industry is one of the top modelling agencies in the north, with offices in Manchester and Leeds.
Industry also represents makeup artists and fashion stylists, which gives newcomer models an immediate network in the world of fashion.
Big names on its books include Megan Rutherford, who’s appeared as the face of Charlotte Tilbury; Declan Birtchet Sharpe, who has strutted across the catwalks of Paris; and the influencer Maggie White.
A good fit? You'll like this agency if you’re interested in influencer work and commercial opportunities for household-name brands, as well as high fashion and catwalk.
Apply here or tag your Instagram photos using #scoutmeindustry.
How to Build a Modelling Portfolio
IMM has its roots in London, but the sheer quantity of talent in the north pushed them to open a Manchester agency too.
The agency represents a range of models, including nonbinary and curvy models, as well as hand and feet specialists.
Ones to watch on the Manchester board are Archie Summerhayes, a regular feature in the Paris shows, and Ethan Murphy, who has walked for Saint Laurent.
A good fit? You'll like this agency if you're interested in fast fashion, editorial, commercial, TV, campaign, or ecommerce modelling.
Apply here or follow them on TikTok for open-call castings.
J’adore represents not only models, but also a wealth of creatives, including photographers, stylists, and makeup artists.
J’adore stands out in the Manchester modelling agency scene for being upfront, punchy, and original. As a pioneer of inclusivity, J’adore represents younger models (which the agency calls Next Gen), older models (Classic), larger models (Curvy), and nonbinary models.
J’adore also holds an office in London, offering early career models a foot in the door to the vast opportunities in the Big Smoke.
One to watch on its books is Kristel van de Kamp, who’s been racking up credits in fashion magazines and on the runways in Paris.
A good fit? You’ll like J’adore if you're looking for an agency with a bit more of an edge and you're interested in high fashion, commercial, and social.
Apply here or tag them on Instagram @scoutmejadore or #JadoreFam.
If you are under the age of 16, you are required by law to have a parent or legal guardian with you at casting calls and on jobs.
Please be aware there are people falsely claiming to be representatives or scouts of official modelling agencies. If you are contacted by anyone claiming to be a representative of any of the agencies listed in this article, do not respond without first verifying their identity and calling one of their offices to cross-check. A legitimate agency will never conduct virtual interviews, never request photos in the nude or lingerie, and never require payment.
