Ford Models

Business

First Modeling Agency Devoted to Girls of All Sizes Sets Up Shop in NYC

A modeling agency that represents women of all sizes? In an industry that likes to categorize women--as "straight size" (0-2) or "plus size" (12-16)--it's a revolutionary concept. But that's just what former Ford agents Gary Dakin and Jaclyn Sarka, both of whom co-directed Ford's plus board for many years, have done in setting up their new agency JAG. "We are the first agency in New York that’s dedicated solely to women of all sizes," Dakin said.

Business

Kaela Humphries Makes Her Ford Modeling Debut

A little over a month ago, we broke the news that Ford had signed Kaela Humphries, Kris' little sister, to their plus-size modeling division. Not surprisingly, it hasn't taken long for the agency to find her work--and her first gig is a pretty big coup. Kaela stars in the latest campaign for The Limited's plus-sized line, Eloquii.

Business

The CFDA's Steven Kolb Is 'Disappointed' That Ford Is Still Using Underage Models

While waiting for the Alexander Wang show to start, I went over and introduced myself to the CEO of the CFDA, Steven Kolb. A truly gracious and nice guy, he thankfully had no hard feelings about us turning him into Kermit the Frog. With that behind us, I asked him about the issue du jour, underage models walking in New York fashion week, and the CFDA's latest stance. Last week in the wake of a New York Times article, Ford Models went on the record saying that they used underaged models on a "case-by-case basis alongside a prospective model’s parents." Here's what Kolb had to say about Ford's decision:

Fashion Week

Model Baseball Cards: Take a Look Through All the Fall/Winter 2012 Show Packages

Show Packages: think of them as baseball cards for the fashion set. For casting directors, they're pertinent to their jobs in the days leading up to Fashion Week, but for the rest of us... well, they're another excuse to ogle pretty faces, and take a look at who will be gracing the runways during the upcoming week. The biggest agencies are rolling out their strongest lineups this season...and while some present rather basic packages featuring simple photos of their models, there are a few that take creative license in the best way.

Business

Meet the Ford Model Who Looks Like Justin Bieber

Corinna Ingenleuf is a fresh face out of Hamburg, Germany and new to the Ford Models board but she's already got a Fashion Spot thread devoted to her--which generally bodes well for a model's future success (so does the fact that she did Pringle of Scotland's resort look book). One commenter noted that Ingenleuf's got "Bieber hair" but we think she's got Bieber face, too. So does Australia's The Vine, who first noticed that this new model was a dead ringer for the Biebs. They suggest ditching the Lesbians Who Look Like Justin Bieber meme for the playing models who look like Justin Bieber game during fashion month. Hey, we're game.

Business

Meet the New Stars of Ford's Plus Size Model Board

Ford+, the plus size division of Ford models, just put out a new promotional book featuring some of their top models. What's striking about Ford's latest promotional push is that it's simply comprised of beautiful high-fashiony images of models who happen to not be straight size (that means they are not a 0 and can be anywhere from a size 8 to 18). It seems to be (and hopefully is) part of trend of incorporating models who aren't 0s and 2s--not just Crystal Renn--into the high fashion world, beyond catalogues. Gary Dakin, the head of Ford's plus board, has been with the modeling agency for the last 13 years. In that time span, he says the market has changed dramatically for plus size models. "There are better clients, jobs, photographers, rates, etc.," he says. "The girls have evolved too...they are challenged now more than ever to be better and they challenge the industry right back." Dakin pinpoints the moment the industry began shifting to embrace plus to around 10 years ago.

Business

DNA Sues Ford Over Maryna Linchuk

Former Miss Dior Cherie, Maryna Linchuk, is a top model and a top money maker, so it's no wonder DNA was sad to see her part ways for Ford. Linchuk has been signed with DNA since 2006, and in those five years DNA says they have "invested heavily in promoting, marketing and managing Linchuk's career and professional image, preparing her for and helping her choose modeling assignments, shoots, etc., As a direct result of DNA's efforts, Linchuk has become a successful and sought after model," Reuters is reporting. All was well in DNA's house until April 15 of this year, when Linchuk suddenly announced her desire to leave the agency.

Business

Crystal Renn is Not a Size Two Despite What Her Ford Model Card Says

Last Friday Jezebel ran a post headlined, "Crystal Renn's Agency Says She's A Size 2." Which is weird because Renn's agency, Ford, has always been very forthcoming about her size, and the last time we checked in with them about Renn, she was an eight. The piece goes on to cite an interview Renn did for Plus Model Radio radio in which she said, "Because of my size currently, I straddle this line between the two worlds--I guess you could say I'm a plus size straight size model. I am four inches smaller than a plus size model and four inches bigger than a straight size model." So we checked in with Renn's agent at Ford who confirmed that though she has dropped weight over the last year after picking up hiking and exercising again after recovering from her eating disorder, she's a six/eight, not a two. "There was an error in the initial printing and it is being rectified," Gary Dakin, Renn's agent told us. "She maintains a 37-38 hip."

Business

You Better Work

Or should we say werq as so many of our fashion boys prefer. Either way, if you are harboring some serious supermodel fantasies you're looking to test