What Models.com does

Models.com is a New York-based, privately held fashion industry platform founded around 2000 that operates as the leading interactive database and editorial property for the global modeling and creative-talent ecosystem. The platform combines a structured talent directory (ProSearch) covering 90+ professional role categories, a model rankings system (Top 50, Money List, Hot List, Legends, Industry Icons, Runway, Social), and a credit-attribution system for advertising campaigns, magazine covers, editorials, runway shows, social media, lookbooks, and polaroids, alongside proprietary editorial output including news, interviews, fashion week coverage, and the MDX (Industry Access) video series. It serves five primary segments — models, creative talent (photographers, stylists, MUAs, hair stylists, casting directors, set designers, art directors, creative directors, producers), modeling and creative agencies, fashion brands and luxury houses, and publications — with named-brand visibility including Marc Jacobs, Jacquemus, Celine, Louis Vuitton, Dior Men, Saint Laurent, Chanel, Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Vanity Fair, Elite New York, and Women Management New York.

The underlying platform is a web-based database and content management system with invitation-only profile creation, OAuth login via Google and Facebook, and curated credit-approval workflows rather than open self-service uploads. Scale metrics cited by the company include 30,000+ accredited models and creatives, 800+ modeling/creative/production agencies, 3,000+ brand and magazine professionals, 3,800+ agencies/brands/publications in the database, 10,000+ vetted contributors, 1.1M+ monthly website visitors, and 2M+ social followers, with no public API or mobile app.

The business model is a freemium SaaS structure: a free Starter tier with up to 20 talent pages per month, a Pro membership at $20/month or $200/year unlocking unlimited ProSearch, People Tab, statistics, and notifications, and a Pro Team tier at $15/user/month (annual billing, 5+ users) for agencies, brands, and publications managing multiple profiles. GTM is primarily product-led and community-led — direct self-serve signup through models.com — supplemented by sales outreach for Team accounts, with content marketing (rankings, fashion week coverage, newsletters, social) functioning as the top-of-funnel acquisition channel. The company is led by Co-Founder/CEO & Editor-in-Chief Stephan Moskovic, Vice President Betty Sze, and a small editorial and technical team of under 50 people, with no disclosed external venture or private-equity backing.

Name

Models.com

Legal name

MODELS.com, Inc.

Website

https://models.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Models.com is a New York-based fashion industry database and editorial platform founded in 2000 that serves models, creative talent, agencies, brands, and publications with talent discovery (ProSearch), credit attribution, model rankings, and fashion week/news coverage via freemium and paid Pro subscriptions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Pro Membership Subscription: Monthly subscription at $20/month providing unlimited access to talent pages, ProSearch, People Tab features, statistics, and notifications. Annual billing available at $200/year.
2. Pro Team Membership Subscription: Volume subscription at $15/user/month for teams of 5+ users, billed annually. Provides same features as Pro plus team management dashboard and discounted rate for agencies, brands, or publications.
3. Starter Membership: Free tier providing limited access to editorial content and up to 20 talent pages per month. Serves as lead generation for paid tiers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Models.com operates a fashion industry database and directory platform that connects models, creative talent, modeling agencies, fashion brands, and publications. The platform provides talent discovery through its ProSearch tool, industry rankings (Top 50, Money List, Hot List), and editorial content covering fashion news, interviews, and fashion week coverage. It monetizes via freemium memberships (free Starter, Pro at $20/month, Pro Team at $15/user/month) and serves as a credit attribution system for industry professionals.

Product overview

Models.com is a comprehensive fashion industry platform serving as the leading interactive database connecting models, creative talent (photographers, stylists, makeup artists, hair stylists, casting directors, set designers, art directors, creative directors, producers), magazines, and luxury and commercial brands. The platform operates as a unified ecosystem combining a talent discovery engine (ProSearch), industry rankings system, editorial content (news, interviews, fashion week coverage), and multiple content databases (advertising campaigns, magazine covers, editorials, shows, social media, lookbooks, polaroids). The platform offers three membership tiers: a free Starter tier, a $20/month Pro subscription, and a $15/user/month Pro Team tier for agencies and brands with 5+ users. With over 30,000 accredited models and artists, 800+ agencies, and 3,000+ brands and magazines, the platform processes industry credits and showcases talent through tools like the Rankings system and New Faces feature. The editorial arm includes MDX (Industry Access video series), News, Interviews, and dedicated sections for Models, Creatives, Fashion, and Beauty.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Models.com Platform Leading interactive fashion industry database connecting models, creative talent, magazines, and luxury and commercial brands. The platform serves as an essential tool for attributing credit and sourcing new talent, with editorial content highlighting industry-shaping professionals.
• ProSearch Advanced A-Z directory and talent discovery search tool enabling users to find models, photographers, fashion editors/stylists, makeup artists, hair stylists, casting directors, set designers, art directors, creative directors, producers, and other creative professionals across 90+ role categories.
• Rankings Industry-leading model rankings system featuring Top 50 Models (women and men), Legends, Industry Icons, New Supers, Money List, Hot List, Runway rankings, and Social rankings for both women and men.
• Agency Directory Comprehensive directory of modeling agencies, artist agencies, and production and creative services companies, hosting 800+ modeling, creative, and production agencies.
• NewFaces Showcase of the best new faces in modeling, edited by Rosie Daly, featuring MDC Selects, Model of the Week, and feature articles highlighting emerging talent.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 2 million monthly visits
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature4 records

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• The Business of Fashion: Subscription-based fashion industry intelligence and news platform serving brands, professionals, and creatives. Most direct competitor to Models.com's B2B media + paid membership model.
• WWD (Women's Wear Daily): Long-running fashion industry trade publication covering brands, designers, beauty, and retail. Compares on editorial coverage of fashion industry professionals, campaigns, and runway shows.
• Fashionista: Fashion industry news and career vertical covering designers, models, brands, and industry jobs. Overlaps with Models.com's editorial coverage of models, agencies, and brands.
• NOWFashion: Fashion week runway show database and live coverage platform used by industry professionals and enthusiasts. Directly competes with Models.com's fashion week and runway content offering.
• Model Mayhem: Online community and portfolio platform for models, photographers, makeup artists, and other fashion creatives. Comparable as a discovery and networking tool for the modeling industry.

Broad incumbents

• Highsnobiety: Global fashion, sneaker, and culture media brand with large editorial team and industry coverage. Comparable as a fashion-culture media platform serving both enthusiasts and industry professionals.
• Hypebeast: Digital media company covering fashion, streetwear, and lifestyle with strong industry tracking. Comparable to Models.com as a global fashion content platform with significant audience reach.
• FashionNetwork: Global fashion industry news and business intelligence service covering brands, collections, and industry professionals. Overlaps with Models.com's industry coverage and professional audience.

Emerging players

• SHOWstudio: Fashion film, interview, and digital content studio led by Nick Knight. Overlaps with Models.com's editorial interviews and Industry Access video content for fashion creatives.

Regional players

• Casting Networks: Talent casting platform serving actors and models with submissions, self-tapes, and digital casting tools. Compares on the talent discovery and submission workflow functions targeting agencies and casting directors.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/models
• Facebookfacebook.com/modelsdotcom

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Models.com