Fashion is not necessarily the most stable industry; it thrives on constant change, challenging both brands and models. Fashion houses cling to everything they find "fresh," and this dynamic directly affects modeling—both models and the work of model agencies.
Since 2015, when Raf Simons left Dior for Calvin Klein and was replaced by Maria Grazia Chiuri at Valentino in 2016, it seemed that every chief designer of major fashion houses was changing positions. This constant turnover not only makes headlines in the media but also influences the career paths of many models walking the runways of these brands. Model agencies closely monitor such changes, as new designers often have different ideas about the use and selection of their models.
In 2017, Clare Waight Keller took over Givenchy after Riccardo Tisci's departure. Tisci, in turn, replaced Christopher Bailey at Burberry after announcing his exit from the brand. At Céline, Phoebe Philo officially left in 2018 and was replaced by Hedi Slimane. In menswear, Virgil Abloh replaced Kim Jones at Louis Vuitton in 2018, while Jones in turn took over Dior Homme. Such changes demonstrate how closely designers, brands, and model agencies are intertwined.
These constant changes are not always easy to follow. While some decisions appear strategic, others may seem contradictory at first glance. For models, this means they must be flexible and often adapt their schedules and portfolios to the visions of new designers. Model agencies play a crucial role here by representing, coaching, and preparing models for shifting demands.
Designers like Raf Simons and Alexander Wang have repeatedly emphasized how fast-paced the fashion industry is and how difficult it is to fully develop creative ideas when shows and collections constantly change. This affects not only designers but also models, who must adapt to new collections, runways, and photo shoots. Agencies need to coordinate these processes to optimally position their models.
Although creative differences and exhaustion are often reasons for designers leaving, these decisions impact the entire fashion world, including models and model agencies. Brands try to renew themselves, stay culturally relevant, and maintain industry attention. This creates opportunities for models to present new collections and advance their careers, while model agencies serve as the bridge between talent and brands.
Fashion observers in 2018 could see how these changes influenced the industry. Even if some collections seemed lackluster, designer changes, new brand strategies, and collaborations with different models brought fresh energy and new dynamics into the fashion world—a process shaping models, agencies, and the entire industry alike.
