History
20th century
Elite
Model Management was founded in Paris in 1972 by John
Casablancas (1942–2013) and Alain Kittler. Casablancas was inspired
by his then-wife Jeanette Christiansen, former model and Miss Universe
from Denmark, to open a model agency. Casablancas founded the model agency
with his savings.
Elite
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.
At
the time, boutique agencies in Paris and Milan fell out of favor with
models due to payment issues. Models often found Parisian and Milanese model
agencies holding their pay to coerce them into returning without work visas and
work. British and American based chains gave models the financial security
they needed. In 1977, Casablancas opened up Elite Models in New York. During
the 1980s, New York endured the model wars. Despite agencies
like Wilhelmina Models taking part in these wars, the primary battle
was between Elite Models and Ford Models. Models such as Esmé
Marshall left Elite for Ford Models. Casablancas alleged that Eileen
Ford was out to get him and Ford responded with a $32.5 million suit.
Until 1977, Ford was affiliated with Elite until Elite opened up offices in New
York and began stealing Ford's models. Due to the death of Wilhelmina
Cooper, models were in a panic bouncing from agency to agency. Even the highest
paid black model at the time Beverly Johnson left Elite for Ford,
only to return to Elite a week later.
Models
such as Christie Brinkley and Anna Andersen sued Elite after they
exited. In 1981, Elite Models formed a partnership with Models 1, which lasted
until 1989. 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. The following year, the company expanded
its offices in the U.S. with the formation of Elite Models Chicago, Elite
Models Atlanta, Elite Models Los Angeles, Elite Models San Francisco, and Elite
Models Miami. By 1986, Elite Models had twenty offices worldwide. In 1988,
Elite opened offices in Milan.
Elite Model Management London: Board of Directors & Global Offices
| Name | Position | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Vittorio Zeviani | CEO | Paris HQ |
| Julia Haart | Former Creative Director (Elite World Group) | New York |
| Ali Kavoussi | Managing Partner (London Office) | London |
| Paolo Barbieri | Board Member | Italy |
| Office Location | Country | Contact Info |
|---|---|---|
| Elite London | United Kingdom | london@elitemodelworld.com |
| Elite Paris | France (HQ) | paris@elitemodelworld.com |
| Elite Milan | Italy | milan@elitemodelworld.com |
| Elite New York | USA | newyork@elitemodelworld.com |
| Elite Barcelona | Spain | barcelona@elitemodelworld.com |
| Elite Amsterdam | Netherlands | amsterdam@elitemodelworld.com |
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