In 1990, Elite Models formed a partnership with Model Management Heidi Gross in Hamburg.

The expansion of Elite Models furthered as Elite Models formed partnerships with already established agencies. is the parent company of Elite Model Management (MM). Nicholas Farrae later purchased the agency in 1990. By 1986, Elite Models had twenty offices worldwide. with the formation of Elite Models Chicago, Elite Models Atlanta, Elite Models Los Angeles, Elite Models San Francisco, and Elite Models Miami. The following year, the company expanded its offices in the U.S. By 1983, Elite established the Elite Model Look, which was called The Look of the Year, Competition to rival its competitors Ford's Supermodel of the World Contest. In 1981, Elite Models formed a partnership with Models 1, which lasted until 1989. Models such as Christie Brinkley and Anna Andersen sued Elite after they exited. Even the highest paid black model at the time Beverly Johnson left Elite for Ford, only to return to Elite a week later. Due to the death of Wilhelmina Cooper, models were in a panic bouncing from agency to agency. Until 1977, Ford was affiliated with Elite until Elite opened up offices in New York and began stealing Ford's models. Casablancas alleged that Eileen Ford was out to get him and Ford responded with a $32.5 million suit. Models such as Esmé Marshall left Elite for Ford Models. Despite agencies like Wilhelmina Models taking part in these wars, the primary battle was between Elite Models and Ford Models. During the 1980s, New York endured the model wars. In 1977, Casablancas opened up Elite Models in New York. British and American based chains gave models the financial security they needed. Models often found Parisian and Milanese model agencies holding their pay to coerce them into returning without work visas and work. Īt the time, boutique agencies in Paris and Milan fell out of favor with models due to payment issues. Casablancas founded the model agency with his savings.Įlite Model opened with several high-profile models including Ingmari Lamy Ann Schaufuss, Clive Arrowsmith's girlfriend Barry Lategna's wife, Lynn Kohlman Paula Brenken and Paris Plannings Emanuelle Dano. Casablancas was inspired by his then-wife Jeanette Christiansen, former model and Miss Universe from Denmark, to open a model agency. History 20th century Įlite Model Management was founded in Paris in 1972 by John Casablancas (1942–2013) and Alain Kittler. Although Elite Model Management North America and Elite World Group share the same logo, they have separate ownership and are not part of a business network. Elite MM is a subsidiary of Elite World S.A., whose main shareholder Silvio Scaglia controls his stake through Elite World Group (EWG), a management company where Elite MM is one of brands along with The Society Management, Women Management, Supreme Management, Elite Model Look, and Women 360. In 2004, the agencies in New York City, Miami, Los Angeles, and Toronto separated and formed Elite Model Management North America. Elite Model Management (MM) is a modeling agency that originated in Paris in 1972 and later opened locations in New York City, Los Angeles, Miami, London, and Toronto.

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