Models.com, the digital database for all things models, agencies and artists, is more accustomed to being behind the scenes. Yet the company couldn’t let its 25th anniversary pass without acknowledgement, so it threw a dinner on Tuesday — its first — to kick off NYFW and celebrate.
Naturally, the room at Blue Ribbon Sushi Izakaya was brimming with models, including Paloma Elsesser, Grace Elizabeth, Georgia Fowler, Alton Mason, Jill Kortleve and Calum Harper.
“When we launched, the first thing we had was the top 50 ranking,” recalled editor in chief Stephan Moskovic. “I remember the time we got an email from David Bonnouvrier at DNA and he was like ‘Who the f–k are you guys? Where do you get your information?’ And it was like ‘OK we hit a nerve.’ So it was really organic, and the site has involved so much in 25 years.”
Calum Harper and Paloma Elsesser
Lexie Moreland/WWD
Moskovic pointed to 2008 as the biggest change point, when they expanded to the public.
“We were looking at the rankings, and the way we calculated the rankings was based on covers, editorials, shows and campaigns, and we built a whole database. But then we made it open to the public so that people who work in the industry could have their own page and get their credits for the work they do,” he said. “Today, professionals who work in the industry have their Instagram, and their models.com page. And the models.com page gives you the authority and the credibility.”
Betty Sze, Stephan Moskovic and Irene Ojo-Felix.
Lexie Moreland/WWD
