Option Model Agency
Option Model Agency is a Zurich-based Swiss model management firm founded in 1987, representing models across International, In-Town, Classic, and Special Bookings segments for fashion and advertising clients, and operating the Swiss franchise of the Elite Model Look competition.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1987
- HeadquartersZurich, Switzerland
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Option Model Agency does
Option Model Agency is a Swiss model management firm founded in 1987 in Zurich, operating as a privately held Aktiengesellschaft (AG). The company represents models across four differentiated segments — International, In-Town, Classic, and Special Bookings — serving fashion, advertising, and editorial clients primarily in Switzerland with selective international placements. Its most strategically significant asset is the operation of Elite Model Look Switzerland, the Swiss franchise of the globally recognized model search competition, which functions as a continuous talent discovery and development pipeline.
The agency's revenue model is commission-based, earning a percentage fee on each model booking it facilitates between represented talent and client bookings. Its technology stack centers on Mediaslide, a portfolio management platform used to present model composites, manage bookings, and maintain digital rosters. The agency has also introduced an online application channel enabling aspiring models to submit directly, expanding inbound talent acquisition beyond traditional scouting methods.
Option Model Agency is led by founder and owner Ursula Knecht, with Barbara Eberle serving as CEO. The firm operates with a lean team of approximately 13 employees and maintains industry affiliation through VSM (Verband Schweizerischer Modelagenturen), the Swiss model agency trade association. There is no disclosed funding, no external investors, and no documented AI or machine learning capabilities; the business is a traditional, relationship-driven boutique talent agency with an emphasis on long-standing industry positioning.
Option Model Agency firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Option Model Agency
- Legal name
- Option Model Agency AG
- Website
- https://option-model.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1987
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Option Model Agency is a Zurich-based Swiss model management firm founded in 1987, representing models across International, In-Town, Classic, and Special Bookings segments for fashion and advertising clients, and operating the Swiss franchise of the Elite Model Look competition.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Option Model Agency industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Model Management Services
- NAICS
- Agents and Managers for Artists, Athletes, Entertainers, and Other Public Figures (71141), Agents and Managers for Artists, Athletes, Entertainers, and Other Public Figures (711410)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Talent Agency & Representation Services (HSACAHAK)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Celebrity & Influencer Talent Booking (HSACAHAE)
Keywords
Where Option Model Agency is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Zurich
- HQ country
- Switzerland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Option Model Agency business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Model Representation and Commission: The agency represents models in the fashion industry and earns commissions from bookings and modeling contracts facilitated through their agency.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
Option Model Agency product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Option Model Agency represents fashion models across international, in-town, classic, and special bookings segments, providing booking coordination, portfolio management, and career development. The agency also operates the Elite Model Look Switzerland competition and recruits new talent through an online application system collecting physical measurements and photos.
Product overview
Option Model Agency is a single, unified model management service rather than a modular platform. The agency offers comprehensive representation across five distinct model categories: International Models (for global fashion markets), In-Town Models (for Swiss domestic work, including new faces divisions), Classic Models (for established talent), and Special Bookings (for niche assignments). The Elite Model Look Switzerland competition operates as a key talent discovery sub-brand. Aspiring models can apply through the online Model Application Platform. The agency was founded in 1987 in Zurich and is led by Ursula Knecht and Barbara Eberle Fuchs.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- International Model Representation Representation of male and female models for international fashion markets and global brand campaigns.
- In-Town Model Representation Local model representation for domestic Swiss market assignments, including dedicated new faces divisions for boys and girls.
- Classic Model Representation Representation of established models with proven industry experience for fashion and commercial work.
- Special Bookings Specialized model talent for niche, editorial, and premium commercial assignments.
- Elite Model Look Switzerland Annual model competition organized by Option Model Agency, serving as a premier talent discovery platform and gateway to the international modeling industry.
- Online Model Application Online submission system allowing aspiring models to apply with photos and physical measurements for consideration.
Companies that use Option Model Agency
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Option Model Agency technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Option Model Agency partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Elite Model LookcoreExclusive Swiss organizer of the Elite Model Look competition, one of the world's most prestigious model competitions. The competition has launched careers of global supermodels including Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista, Gisele Bündchen, and Swiss talents like Julia Saner (2009 World Final winner) and Manuela Frey.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves1 record
Expansion highlights3 records
Option Model Agency competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Option Model Agency social profiles
Digital presenceOption Model Agency financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Option Model Agency leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Option Model Agency funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Option Model Agency M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Option Model Agency
What does Option Model Agency do?
Option Model Agency represents fashion models across international, in-town, classic, and special bookings segments, providing booking coordination, portfolio management, and career development. The agency also operates the Elite Model Look Switzerland competition and recruits new talent through an online application system collecting physical measurements and photos.
Is Option Model Agency a public or private company?
Option Model Agency is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Option Model Agency founded?
Option Model Agency was founded in 1987. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Option Model Agency based?
Option Model Agency is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, in the Europe region.
How does Option Model Agency make money?
One revenue line is on record: model Representation and Commission.
Does Option Model Agency have an API?
No public API is recorded for Option Model Agency.
What industry is Option Model Agency in?
Option Model Agency's product category is Model Management Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HSACAHAK, Talent Agency & Representation Services, with a secondary code of HSACAHAE, Celebrity & Influencer Talent Booking. Its NAICS code is 71141.