MODELWERK turns twenty!

One of Germany’s most sought-after fashion modelling agencies is celebrating their 20th anniversary. Claudia Midolo the founder of Modelwerk, was inspired to start her own agency in 1995 after receiving several requests from customers. At that time she was living with her parents and having modeled herself and studied Business Administration, coupled with her experience of choreographing fashion shows she founded Modelwerk when she opened her first office at Rothenbaumchaussee, Hamburg. From then on she grew the agency rather quickly with a focus on representing models with edgy new looks united with classical beauty.

Claudia's strong eye created stars like Franziska Drude, and Sina Studt. Infact, Modelwerk was one of the first German agencies that specialized on finding, and developing German models on the road and hence became a pioneer in the business. 20 years later, Modelwerk is still one of the powerhouse agencies in Germany* and one of the most internationally acknowledged and leading agencies in the world, representing more than 1200 models. With an expertise honed through many years of experience the agency combines an incredible editorial vision and strong commercial bookings with a very talented scouting team that strives to meet the client’s need. Today the agency represents a wide spectrum of models from established high fashion and commercial models to hot new faces from all around the world.

Over the past years Modelwerk has cemented its name for finding and developing new and young talents form all over Germany. The models of Modelwerk run for the most well-known designers and end up on the covers of major magazines with the agency looking not only for commercial or classic beauties, but also for talents with an individual look aspiring to compete in the international top model market. Some of the most famous models including Anna Jagodzinska, Agnete Hegelund, Anja Rubik, Anouck Lepere, Bar Refaeli, Georgina Stojiljkovic, Kasia Struss, Maryna Linchuk, Siri Tollerod, Tao, Ferdi Sibbel and many more have all been represented by the agency.

One of Modelwerks' most renowned breakthrough models is German beauty Toni Garrn. She was discovered by Claudia Midolo at an early age of 14, when she was attending a fashion show during the FIFA World Cup 2006 in her hometown Hamburg. She debuted at the Calvin Klein Spring/Summer 2008 runway show in New York as an international exclusive. She then went on to be featured in the designer's ad campaign. The following season, she again walked exclusively for Calvin Klein. In 2011 she walked her first Victoria's Secret runway show and became a household name overnight. From that time there has been no question that she is one of the most successful German models of all time.

After Garrn, Modelwerk launched other talents with models such as Esther Heesch, Anne Sophie Monrad and Antonia Wesseloh, who took over major fashion capitals and have walked for renowned fashion houses like Chanel, Dior, Valentino and Prada. Wesseloh made her debut as a model on the runway of the Berlin fashion week F/W 11, and landed her first major ad campaign right after, at just 16 years, when she became the campaign face of Prada F/W 11. Heesch for her part was booked a total of twenty slots at Milan and Paris fashion weeks, walking for Prada, Céline, Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, Chloé, Chanel, and Dries Van Noten, and opening for Valentino.

To celebrate and showcase the successful work of Modelwerk over the last twenty years, the team launched a 20th anniversary special digital magazine. Inside you will find an amazing interview with President of Modelwerk Claudia Midolo, the team, an article about Modelwerk's stars and starlets as well an Editorial by Julian Niznik featuring top models Antonia Wesseloh, Charlotte Nolting and Esther Heesch. Head over to Modelwerk's site to check out the magazine.

Happy Birthday Modelwerk. Here's to many more models and successful years ahead!

* In October 2014 due to its lucrative development strategy of new faces, Modelwerk's was rated AAA by MARS the world’s first rating system for modelling agencies.


By
Clinton Gonsalvez