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Elite Model Look
Elite Model Look
Elite Model Look
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Elite Model Look
GenreModel search competition
FrequencyAnnually
Inaugurated1983
WebsiteWebsite

Elite Model Look (formerly known as Look of the Year from 1983 to 1995) is a yearly fashion modeling event held by Elite Model Management, an international model management group. It is used to discover and launch female fashion models in the international fashion marketplace, like the similar Ford Models' Supermodel of the World contest. Each year the contest attracts some 350,000 participants from roughly 70 countries in the world, with castings held in over 800 cities.[1] Contestants, between the ages of 14 and 26, compete in local contests for a chance to represent their country in the world final.

Notable past contestants include Laurie Holden, Alessandra Ambrosio, Ana Beatriz Barros, Cindy Crawford, Helena Christensen, Dayana Mendoza, Melania Trump, Olga Kurylenko, Diane Kruger, Esther Cañadas, Fernanda Tavares, Frederique van der Wal, Gisele Bündchen, Inés Rivero, Isabeli Fontana, Kate Dillon Levin, Lara Stone, Juana Burga, Petra Němcová, Stephanie Seymour, Tatjana Patitz, Ujjwala Raut, Manasvi Mamgai, Azra Akin, Miriam Odemba, Andrea Escobar and Rolene Strauss.[2]

Gisele Bündchen competed in the world final of Elite Model Look in 1994, where she made the Top 6 but ultimately did not win.[3]

From 1996 to 1999 the United States finals were recorded to make a television documentary special called The Making of a Supermodel, which aired on E! Entertainment Television.[4][5][6][7] Online, a streaming television documentary titled Elite New Face premiered on Hulu on November 19, 2012.[8] The series reviewed the 2011 contest, and followed the 2012 contest beginning from the regional castings all the way to the world final and the announcement of the winner. A second season following the 2013 event was also created.[9]

The contest

[edit]

The search is open to beginning models, with the contest's mission stated as being "providing the opportunity for young girls to enter the fashion world, become models and go on to have fabulous careers" and "to discover the new talents who will become the next top models."[1]

Contestants between the ages of 14 and 26 years are eligible to compete. Females should meet a minimum height requirement of 1.72 meters, or 5'8". Males should meet a minimum height requirement of 1.88 meters, or 6'2".[10][11] Until 2014, males were only allowed to participate in national finals, with females competing in the world final.[12]

Each country taking part in the contest selects semi-finalists in various cities who compete to become national finalists. The winners of each national contest compete together in the world final. The winners are selected based on their photogenic abilities, personality, natural beauty, and potential to fit into current fashion trends. The world final lasts two weeks, during which the finalists participate in various workshops. These include highlighting natural beauty with make-up and hair professionals, photo shoots, rehearsals for the final show, and individual interviews with members of the jury and Elite's agents.

During the final show fifteen winners are selected by a jury, and are awarded worldwide contracts with Elite Model Management. The top three contestants are offered contracts with a guaranteed remuneration.

Titleholders

[edit]
Held Winner Country Date of birth Age Notable participants Reference
November 19, 1983 Lisa Hollenbeck  United States 1968-1-1 15 Cindy Crawford, Tatjana Patitz, Stephanie Seymour, Hunter Reno, Deborah Falconer, Jacqueline de la Vega, Claudia Ferrabraz, Martha Eugenia Ortíz, Illana Diamant, Gaby Chiarini, Monica Gripman, Ljiljana Tica [1] Archived 2011-11-22 at the Wayback Machine
June 27, 1985 Frederique van der Wal  Netherlands 1967-8-30 17 Laurie Holden - (Canada nationals)[13] [2]
September 15, 1986 Maria Lindkvist  Sweden 1972-1-30[14] 14 Karen Mulder [3]
September 4, 1987 Debbie Chin  United States 1969-8-26 18 Helena Christensen [4]
September 15, 1988 Kelley Browne  United States 1973 15 Philippa Lett, Kate Fischer, Catherine McCord, Michele Chalupka, Cynthia Pinot, Maria Patricia Betita - (Philippines finals)[15] [5]
September 4, 1989 Inés Sastre  Spain 1973-11-21 15 Natasha Henstridge [6] [7]
September 12, 1990 Wendy Veldhuis  Netherlands 1971-8-26 19 Georgina Grenville, Ivana Miličević, Lauren Santo Domingo, Ingrid Vandebosch, Yulia Lemigova - (USSR castings) [8]
September 4, 1991 Ingrid Seynhaeve  Belgium 1973-6-28 18 Jennipher Rodriguez, Kate Dillon Levin, Yvonne Voni Delfos, Tamara Sedmak, Natasha Stefanenko - (USSR finals) [9] [10]
September 15, 1992 Mariann Molski  United States 1976-9-24 15 Ruffa Gutierrez, Diane Heidkrüger, Marta Cecchetto, Oxana Zubakova, Eugenia Silva, Nieves Álvarez, Aline Wermelinger, Amit Machtinger, Lee So-ra, Melania Knauss - (Slovenia finals) [11]
September 11, 1993 Heidi Albertsen  Denmark 1976-9-1 17 Tatiana Zavialova, Inés Rivero, Ashley Scott, Inna Zobova - (Russia finals) [12] [13]
September 4, 1994 Natalia Semanova  Russia 1979-10-1 14 Gisele Bündchen, Esther Cañadas, Kristanna Loken, Sheetal Mallar, Kerry Bohm, Tatiana Nikiforova, Fabiana Saba Elenoire Casalegno, Sandra Maidana. [14]
August 20, 1995 Sandra Wagner  Switzerland 1978-1-1 17 Irina Bondarenko, Emma B, Eihi Shiina, Lee Sun-Jin, Tracy Trinita, Carolina Magalhães, Joseane Oliveira, Isabelle Darras, Zoya Sakr, Tamara Henriksen, Alessandra Ambrosio - (Brazil finals), Caroline Ribeiro - (Brazil finals) [15]
September 7, 1996 Diana Kovalchuk  Ukraine 1982-2-23 14 Ana Beatriz Barros, Isabeli Fontana, Katia Zygouli, Michelle Alves, Nina Morić, Petra Němcová, Ujjwala Raut, Nataša Vojnović, Jill McCormick, Olga Otrokhova, Kristina Rostad, Tarina Young, Lauren Bowles, Olga Kurylenko - (Russia nationals),[16] Anna Azarova - (Russia nationals)[17] [16] Archived 2011-09-06 at the Wayback Machine
September 16, 1997 Yfke Sturm  Netherlands 1981-11-19 15 Franziska Knuppe, Juliana Martins, Viera Schottertova, Sedef Avci, Soraia Chaves, Elizabeth Perfoll [17]
September 17, 1998 Alina Puscau  Romania 1982-4-7 16 Azra Akin, Mara Darmousli, Tatiana Kovylina, Mia Rosing, Linda Nývltová, Sandra Seifert, Ksenia Agafonova, Miranda Slabber - (Netherlands finals).[18] [18]
September 11, 1999 Vika Sementsova  Ukraine 1985-7-2 14 Marie-José Hnein, Helen Lindes, Victoria Lopyreva - (Russia regionals), Karishma Modi, Paloma Moreno, Kate Nauta, Raica Oliveira, Miriam Odemba, Gamze Özçelik, Maria del Mar Rosario, Lara Stone, Kuku Trinidad - (Philippines finals),[19] [19] [20]
September 9, 2000 Linda Vojtová  Czech Republic 1985-6-22 15 Lourdes Arévalos, Alena Martanovicova, Arantxa Santamaria, Renata Klem, Joana Santos, Eszter Tóth, Dinna Olivia, Desirée Pallotta, Valentina Zelyaeva - (Russia nationals). [21]
September 8, 2001 Rianne ten Haken  Netherlands 1986-5-7 15 Dayana Mendoza, Renata Ruiz, Emina Cunmulaj, Tracy Ip, Schynaider Moura, Femke Lakenmann, Bonny Bige Chen, Olga Elnikova, Irina Shadrina, Valentina Zelyaeva - (Russia nationals), Milana Keller - (Russia finals).[16] [22]
September 7, 2002 Ana Mihajlovic  Serbia and Montenegro 1987-5-20 15 Kenza Fourati, Ximena Huilipán, Enikő Mihalik, Ingrid Kelly, Tuğçe Kazaz, Dafne Molina - (Mexico finals). [23]
November 8, 2003 Denisa Dvončová  Slovakia 1988-4-30 15 May Akerman, Charlott Cordes, Chiara Baschetti, Karina Rivero, Paula Verhoeven, Hanna Verboom, Rojane Fradique, May J - (Japan Finals).[24] [25] Archived 2011-11-07 at the Wayback Machine
December 2, 2004 Sofie Oosterwaal  Netherlands 1990-7-17 14 Carolina Morán, Sofia Bruscoli, Vanessa Ceruti, Danijela Dimitrovska, Michaela Hlaváčková, Michaela Kocianova, Emma Ahlund, Inna Serpukhovitina, Svetlana Sergienko, Ria Bolivar, Jessica Amornkuldilok - (Thailand finals). [26]
November 5, 2005 Charlotte Di Calypso  France 1990-12-9 14 Julia "Juju" Ivanyuk, Johanna Jonsson, Alba Riquelme, Hoàng Khánh Ngọc, Malena Costa Sjögren - (Spain finals), Helen Nicolette Henson - (Philippines finals). [27]
February 10, 2007 Denisa Dvořáková  Czech Republic 1989-5-28 17 Constance Jablonski, Mirka Michlíková, Ronja Furrer, Ioana Boitor, Manasvi Mamgai, Sigrid Agren, Zivanna Letisha Siregar, Arlenis Sosa - (Dominican Republic finals), Natasha Domínguez - (Venezuela nationals)], María José Gallego. [28]
April 21, 2008 Jennifer Messelier  France 1991-4-23 16 Rolene Strauss, Tamar Shedania, Adama Diallo, Dorothea Barth Jorgensen, Hana Jiříčková, Juana Burga Cervera, Noelia López, Ymre Stiekema, Edsa Ramírez, Kristy Agapiou, Sofia Rudieva - (Russia nationals). [29]
November 1, 2008 Louise Maselis  Belgium 1993-3-28 15 Fei Fei Sun, Cora Emmanuel, Josefina Cisternas, Cynthia de la Vega, Jessica Duarte, Angela Ruiz - (Venezuela finals). [30]
October 18, 2009 Julia Saner  Switzerland 1992-2-19 17 Caterina Ravaglia, Emily Smith, Ming Xi, Nyasha Matonhodze, Simona Andrejic, Caterina Ravaglia - (Italy finals), Livia Rangel - (Mexico finals) [31] Archived 2016-03-26 at the Wayback Machine [32] Archived 2012-01-04 at the Wayback Machine
October 10, 2010 Karolina Tolkachova  Ukraine 1992-2-18 18 Erjona Ala, Hou Meng Die, Lucette van Beek, Roberta Narciso, Maria Borges - (Angola finals), Camille Cerf - (France nationals),[20] Dulcita Lieggi - (Dominican Republic finals). [33]
December 6, 2011 Julia Schneider  Sweden 1996-1-1 15 Lenka Hanakova, Lieve Dannau, Amra Cerkezovic, Lera Kvasovka, Joséphine Le Tutour, Li Xiao Xing, Pauline Hoarau, Lieke van Houten, Nguyễn Thị Tuyết Lan, Dhio Moreno - (Dominican Republic finals) [34]
December 1, 2012 Marilhéa Léa Peillard  France 1994-11-16 18 Trinidad de la Noi, Manuela Frey, Ysaunny Brito, Alecia Morais, Diana Croce, Cassandra Chery, Daniela Álvarez - (Mexico finals), Vittoria Ceretti - (Italy finals) [35]
November 27, 2013 Eva Klímková  Czech Republic 1997-10-12 16 Amilna Estêvão, Estelle Chen, Anita Zet, Viktoria Machajdik, Sunniva Halkjelsvik, Barbora Kolarikova, May Bell, Cassandra Chery, Eden Bristowe, Luba Hryniv, Anastasia Kostenko - (Russia castings) [36]
December 2, 2014[21][22] Barbora Podzimková ♀  Czech Republic 1999-9-9 15 Laura Strantz, Alexandra Micu, Selma Hadziosmanovic, Greta Varlese, María Romina Trotto Morales, Awa Sanoko, Vijaya Sharma, Đặng Thị Lệ Hằng, Irina Đuranović, Mayowa Nicholas, Alena Lyashenko, Yasmin Wijnaldum [37]
James Richard Parker ♂ Italy 1995-12-6 18 Serge Rigvava, Raphael Hatt, Jeong Woo Kim, Josef Utekal, Eduard Michalko, Aitor Andueza [38]
November 23, 2015 Anouk Thijssen ♀ Netherlands 2000-7-4 15 Chiara Leone, Aneta Měšťanová, Charlotte Corn, Matilde Rastelli, Annabella Bihari, Léia Matagne, María Almenta [39] Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine
Tristan Tymen ♂ France 1995-8-21 20 Kristian Černík, Hsu Chen, Angelo Amirante, Benjamin Aston [40]
Elite Model Look International 2016November 23, 2016 Jana Tvrdikova ♀ Czech Republic 2000-12-20 15 Katya Bybina, Cosima Lagae, Zara Bicha, Alina Dementieva, Amanda Denis, Holly Magson
Davidson Obennebo ♂ Nigeria 1996-3-17 20 Etienne Robert, Gideon Yendell [41]
November 29, 2017 Valeria Chenskaya ♀ Russia 2002-9-6 15 Mona Tougaard
Antonio Freitas ♂ Brazil Unknown 17

[23]

August 30, 2018 Wen Di ♀ China Unknown 17
Maksim Krintser ♂ Russia Unknown 17

[24]

November 18, 2019 Yireh Fernanda Carrasco ♀ Dominican Republic Unknown 16
Laetitia Ky ♀ Côte d'Ivoire 1996 23
Andrej Chamula ♂ Slovakia Unknown 19

[25]

January 31, 2021 Mika Reins ♀ Philippines Unknown 21
Lola Pierré ♀ France Unknown 16
Jack Jerry ♂ USA 1997-2-12 23
Salvatore Corallo ♂ Italy Unknown 16

[26]

August 30, 2022 Majda John Peter ♀ South Sudan Unknown 17 Sara Caballero, Ali Dansky [27]
Sergi Shan ♂ Spain Unknown 19
June 15, 2024 Micklate Macobola ♀ Mozambique Unknown 20 [28]
Imade Darouache ♂ Italy Unknown 21
  • No event was held in 1984, 2006 or 2023.

Participating nations and regions

[edit]

The following is a list of countries or regions that have participated in the Elite Model Look contest[29][30][31]

North America

Central America

Caribbean

South America

Europe

Africa

Asia

Oceania

Hosts

[edit]
Year Hosts
1988 George Hamilton
1993 Ingrid Seynhaeve
1996 Ines Rivero
1998 Valeria Mazza
1999 Ingrid Seynhaeve
2001 Chantal Bolivar
2003 Ashley Scott
2007 Chantal Bolivar
2011 Nikki Reed

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Elite Model Look

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Elite Model Look is an annual international modeling competition organized by Elite Model Management, designed to scout and launch promising new faces in the fashion industry worldwide. Founded in 1983 by John Casablancas, the creator of Elite Model Management, the contest was originally launched as "The Look of the Year" and served as a pioneering global talent search that revolutionized model discovery by attracting thousands of applicants from diverse countries each year. Renamed Elite Model Look in 1996, it has continued uninterrupted as one of the longest-running model searches of its kind, evolving in 2010 to include both male and female participants while maintaining its focus on identifying unique potential in aspiring models aged 14 and older. The competition operates through a multi-stage process, beginning with open castings and online applications in over 30 countries, followed by national finals that select representatives to compete in the World Final, where winners receive contracts with and opportunities to work with leading fashion brands, photographers, and publications. Held in prestigious locations such as for the 40th edition in 2024, the event emphasizes diversity, charisma, and marketability, with the 2025 cycle featuring ongoing national castings across regions like , , and the as of November 2025. Over its four decades, Elite Model Look has launched the careers of numerous supermodels and influencers, including Cindy Crawford, a runner-up in 1983; Gisele Bündchen, a finalist in 1994; Lara Stone; Tatjana Patitz; Stephanie Seymour; and Fei Fei Sun, among others who have graced covers of Vogue, walked for designers like and , and shaped global fashion trends. This legacy underscores its role as a cornerstone of the modeling world, having discovered talents that collectively represent billions in industry influence and continuing to adapt to modern standards of inclusivity and digital scouting.

History

Founding and Early Years

The Elite Model Look contest originated in 1983, when and Alain Kittler, founders of , launched "The Look of the Year" as a scouting initiative to identify emerging modeling talent during the rise of the supermodel phenomenon. This competition was designed to rival established events like Ford Models' , emphasizing fresh faces with global appeal amid the fashion industry's expanding demand for diverse, high-profile representatives. The inaugural event in 1983 featured national castings in key fashion centers including New York and , drawing participants from more than 45 countries and focusing exclusively on female models aged 15 to 19. The world final crowned 15-year-old Lisa Hollenbeck from , USA, as the winner, awarding her a $200,000 two-year contract with in New York. No world final occurred in 1984 due to logistical challenges following the debut's rapid expansion. By 1985, the contest had solidified its role in talent discovery, with Dutch contestant , aged 17, taking the title and securing an immediate contract with Elite. Van der Wal quickly rose to prominence, signing campaigns and appearing in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, exemplifying how early winners transitioned into major modeling careers. Throughout the late 1980s, "The Look of the Year" evolved from a modest scouting effort into a prominent international competition, expanding its reach and incorporating high-profile elements such as celebrity hosts, including actor George Hamilton for the 1988 edition broadcast on ABC. This period marked the contest's foundational growth, establishing it as a launchpad for supermodels in an era defined by icons like and , who were notable early finalists.

Renaming and Expansion

In 1996, the contest was renamed Elite Model Look to better align with the global branding of and to move away from the implication of an annual "year" focus in its original title. This rebranding coincided with a period of rapid expansion, as the event grew from participation in approximately 20 countries during the to over 50 countries by the early , with castings expanding to more than 800 cities worldwide by the 2010s. A notable milestone influencing the contest's trajectory occurred in 1994, when placed in the top six in the world final, highlighting the event's potential to launch international careers and contributing to its appeal in emerging markets like . The 2000s saw further format enhancements, including the addition of structured workshops and photo shoots during national rounds to better prepare contestants, alongside targeted growth into regions such as and additional expansion in . However, internal restructuring at led to the cancellation of the 2006 world final, marking a temporary pause in the annual cycle. By the , the contest resumed annual events (with the exception of no world final in 2023), attracting around 350,000 applicants globally by 2017, solidifying its status as a premier international modeling search.

Contest Format

Eligibility and Requirements

The Elite Model Look contest is open to aspiring models aged 14 years and older, with no specified upper age limit, though historical iterations emphasized discovering talent among teens and young adults up to old. Applicants under 18 must provide written consent from a parent or guardian to participate. No prior professional modeling experience is required, as the competition is designed to identify and launch in the industry. For the 2025-2026 cycle, applications are accepted from October 1, 2024, to November 30, 2025 (GMT). Originally focused exclusively on female participants since its inception in 1983, the contest expanded gender inclusion in 2014 by welcoming male models to the world finals for the first time, marking a shift toward greater diversity in the search for talent. By 2023, eligibility explicitly extended to non-binary applicants alongside women and men, reflecting ongoing efforts to broaden representation. Height requirements have evolved significantly over the contest's history. Prior to 2014, standards were more flexible, with no strict international minimums enforced, though female participants typically aligned with industry norms around 170 cm (5'7"). Starting in 2014, coinciding with the inclusion of males, minimum heights were introduced: 172 cm (5'8") for females and approximately 183-188 cm (6'0"-6'2") for males, applied during national and international selections to ensure compatibility with high-fashion standards. These criteria persisted through the 2010s and early 2020s but were eliminated in late 2024, removing both minimum and maximum height restrictions to promote inclusivity across diverse body types. Entry is accessible to unsigned individuals from participating countries through online applications or local castings organized by affiliates, requiring submission of three recent photographs (full-body, , and waist-up) without heavy makeup or alterations to showcase a natural appearance. The process prioritizes those without existing agency representation to avoid conflicts, focusing on raw potential and a distinctive, authentic look over conventional beauty ideals. Participants must be available for potential travel to national and world events if selected.

Selection Process

The selection process for Elite Model Look is a multi-stage competition designed to identify promising talent from a global pool, progressing from evaluations to an international showdown judged by fashion industry professionals. castings, the stage, occur in numerous cities across dozens of countries, drawing over 100,000 participants annually through online applications or walk-in events, as seen in the 2024 cycle. Applicants submit three photographs—one full-body, one , and one from the waist up—for review, while walk-ins allow scouts to assess potential on-site based on appearance and presence; from these, about 10-20 semifinalists are typically selected per location to advance. In the second stage, these semifinalists compete in national finals held in each participating country (dozens annually). Contestants undergo intensive activities, including training, professional photo shoots, and personal interviews, to demonstrate their skills and suitability for modeling. One or two winners per country are selected to represent their nation at the world final. The third stage prepares the national winners—totaling around 40 finalists, as in the cycle—for the world final through a two-week bootcamp featuring workshops on posing techniques, fitness regimens, media interactions, and other core modeling competencies. Evaluation across all stages is conducted by panels of industry experts, such as executives, photographers, designers, and agents, focusing on walk, photogenic quality, personality, and overall marketability. During the world final, the finalists showcase their abilities in live presentations and challenges, resulting in the selection of winners, typically 2 top overall recipients in recent editions like 2024, who secure premier contracts with , while other finalists receive development opportunities.

World Finals

Venues and Hosts

The Elite Model Look world finals in the 1980s and 1990s were primarily held in and New York, reflecting the agency's strongholds in the global fashion capitals. The inaugural event in 1983 took place in , , marking the contest's launch as a platform to scout new talent amid the agency's expansion from its 1972 founding in . By the early 1990s, finals shifted to high-profile New York locations, such as the , where contestants were hosted during the 1991 edition sponsored by real estate developer , who also served as a judge. Trump continued judging roles in subsequent years, including 1992, contributing to the event's visibility among American elites. As the contest grew internationally in the and , venues rotated to emerging markets to underscore Elite's global reach, with finals hosted in and . Notable locations included for the 2003 international final, for the 2004 and 2005 editions, and , , in 2013 to celebrate the contest's 30th anniversary. Later shifts featured 's Arena in 2011, one of the largest venues to date with performances by artists like , and Milan's fashion district in 2017. Paris hosted the 2019 final, while the 2024 40th edition returned to Prague's O2 universum arena, emphasizing Central Europe's rising influence. Celebrity hosts and judges have elevated the finals' prestige, blending entertainment with industry expertise. Actor George Hamilton hosted the 1988 event alongside models and , infusing Hollywood glamour into the proceedings. Supermodel co-hosted the 1996 televised special, showcasing her influence as an Elite alumna and bridging the gap between contestants and established stars. In 2011, actress emceed the Shanghai final, appealing to a younger audience through her Twilight fame. The world finals typically unfold in luxury venues like arenas, hotels, or during fashion weeks, featuring live runway shows, photo shoots, and workshops attended by over 500 industry professionals, including designers, photographers, and agency directors. These events foster networking and culminate in contract announcements, enhancing the contest's role as a launchpad for careers. Post-2020, amid the , the 2020 edition incorporated virtual elements for selections and announcements, with no physical world final held. No world final occurred in 2023, but the contest resumed in person for , signaling a return to traditional grandeur.

Judging and Prizes

The judging panel at the Elite Model Look World Final typically consists of 10 to 15 members, including and beauty industry insiders, representatives from agencies worldwide, and occasional guest experts such as makeup artists or celebrities. For example, in 2019, served on the alongside Elite directors. Decisions are made through private deliberations, with the panel evaluating finalists based on criteria such as presence, photogenic quality, , and overall market potential. During the final show, approximately 70 finalists participate in a multi-day bootcamp followed by a live event featuring themed runway segments, photo challenges, and personality showcases to demonstrate versatility. Live scoring by the leads to progressive eliminations, narrowing the field to 15 semi-finalists, then 7, and finally the top 3, with announcements made during the culminating . The top 3 winners receive one-year contracts with valued at around $250,000 collectively, encompassing housing in key fashion cities, professional training, and guaranteed bookings to launch their careers. All 15 semi-finalists are awarded development contracts with Elite's global network, providing access to agency representation and initial opportunities. Additional perks for winners include immediate modeling campaigns with brands like and 6 to 12 months of mentorship from Elite agents to guide early career steps. Prior to 2014, the contest focused primarily on a single female winner with corresponding prizes; since the 31st edition in 2014, it has included a male category with separate top prizes, such as contracts valued at up to 150,000 Euros for the overall female winner and 50,000 Euros for the male winner in some years.

Participants and Winners

Participating Nations and Regions

The Elite Model Look contest engages participants from approximately 70 countries across five continents, encompassing a diverse global footprint that includes strong representation from (such as and the ), the (including the USA and ), and (notably and ). Launched in 1983, the competition initially concentrated on Western Europe and North America, where early castings were held to scout emerging talent. Over time, it expanded significantly, incorporating Eastern Europe in the post-Cold War 1990s, Latin America during the 2000s with notable entry from Brazil, and further reaching into Africa and the Middle East by the 2010s, alongside a dedicated push into Asia starting in 2003. This growth transformed the event from a regional scouting initiative into a worldwide platform, with annual participation peaking at over 350,000 applicants globally and castings conducted in more than 800 cities. Regional participation varies in scale and structure. In larger markets like the , multiple castings occur across over 10 cities to accommodate high applicant volumes, while smaller regions such as those in often manage combined national efforts through shared or centralized selections. exemplifies robust involvement from the , having produced multiple standout participants including in 1996, and later winners like Antonio Freitas in 2017. has demonstrated consistent strength in since its entry around 1994, yielding high-profile successes such as Valeria Chenskaya's overall win in 2017. Approximately 1,000 contestants advance to national levels each year from the global pool, highlighting the contest's selective yet expansive reach.

Titleholders

The Elite Model Look world finals have produced titleholders since 1983, each receiving a one-year contract with valued at up to $250,000, including professional training and international placement opportunities. These winners are selected from national finalists based on their potential in , , and commercial modeling. No world finals were held in 1984, 2006, or 2023, though national contests continued in the latter year. Prior to 2014, a single overall winner was crowned annually (exclusively female); since then, separate male and female titles have been awarded. The following table lists the titleholders from 1983 onward, focusing on verified world final winners. Ages are included where documented at the time of winning; gender is specified post-2014. Note: The list is incomplete for some years due to limited sourcing; additional winners include (, 1989, F) and others.
YearNameCountryAgeGender
1983Lisa Hollenbeck-Female
1985Frederique van der Wal-Female
1986Maria van der Hoogen-Female
1994Natalia Semanova14Female
1995Sandra Wagner-Female
1996Diana Kovalchuk-Female
2000Linda Vojtová-Female
2005Charlotte Di Calypso15Female
2006No winner---
2008Fei Fei Sun-Female
2012Marilhea Peillard17Female
2014Barbora Podzimková18Female
2014James Richard Parker-Male
2015Anouk Thijssen15Female
2015Tristan Tymen21Male
2016Jana Tvrdiková16Female
2016Davidson Obennebo-Male
2017Valeria Chenskaya18Female
2017Antonio Freitas19Male
2018Wen Di-Female
2018Maksim Krintser-Male
2019No overall single winner (multiple semifinalist contracts)---
2022Sergei Shan-Male
2022Majda John Peter-Female
2023No winner---
2024Micklate Macobola20Female
2024Imade Darouache-Male
Notable early titleholders include Natalia Semanova, the 1994 winner from , who at age 14 debuted on the cover of Russian Vogue shortly after her victory and walked for designers like and within her first year. Marilhea Peillard, the 2012 overall winner from , secured campaigns with Balmain and editorials in Vogue Paris immediately post-contest, establishing her as a runway staple for brands including and Saint Laurent. The introduction of dual categories in 2014 marked a shift toward inclusivity. Barbora Podzimková (Czech Republic, female) debuted for and in her debut season, while James Richard Parker (Italy, male) landed bookings with and soon after. Similarly, the 2017 winners—Valeria Chenskaya (, female) and Antonio Freitas (, male)—both signed with top agencies and appeared in campaigns for and , respectively, within months. Titleholders' post-win trajectories often involve rapid integration into global fashion circuits, with many securing major agency representation and high-profile work. For instance, (2008, ) became the first Asian model on the cover of post-victory, while Davidson Obennebo (2016, ) broke barriers as Africa's first male winner, walking for Balmain and . These achievements underscore the contest's role in launching diverse talents, though outcomes vary based on market demands and personal development.

Impact and Controversies

Influence on the Fashion Industry

The Elite Model Look contest has served as a pivotal launchpad for numerous supermodels, propelling their careers to international prominence within the fashion industry. Established in 1983 as an open scouting vehicle, it identified talents like , who participated as a runner-up in the inaugural 1983 edition and went on to front major campaigns for brands such as , Gap, and while gracing over 130 magazine covers. Similarly, emerged from the 1996 Brazilian finals, securing contracts that led to high-profile work with designers including , , , and as a longtime Angel. These discoveries underscore the contest's role in transitioning unknown faces into global icons, with alumni frequently representing elite brands like , , and . Even non-winners have leveraged the platform for breakthroughs, highlighting its broader scouting value beyond the top prize. , who placed in the top six at the 1994 world finals after succeeding in Brazil's national round, credited the experience with validating her potential and launching her trajectory as a Angel; later estimated her annual earnings at $44 million, positioning her as one of the highest-paid models ever. This pattern extends to other participants, such as and from early editions, who built enduring careers despite not claiming the title, demonstrating how the contest's visibility fosters opportunities across the industry. By attracting thousands of applicants annually from diverse global regions since the , the Elite Model Look democratized access to modeling, shifting the paradigm from exclusive referrals and traditional agency networks to widespread open calls that empowered aspiring talents worldwide. This inclusive approach not only diversified the talent pool—featuring participants from countries like , , and —but also influenced broader industry pushes toward representation in the , aligning with fashion's evolving emphasis on global and cultural variety. Economically, the contest generates substantial scouting value for , which oversees a roster of over 2,000 models; winners typically secure high-value contracts, such as the $150,000 annual deal historically offered, paving the way for multimillion-dollar careers that amplify the agency's influence.

Criticisms and Scandals

The Elite Model Look contest has faced significant criticism for its association with sexual misconduct within the modeling industry, particularly linked to allegations against former Elite Model Management CEO Gérald Marie. In 2020, French prosecutors launched a criminal investigation into Marie following accusations from multiple former models who claimed he raped or sexually assaulted them during the 1980s and 2000s, with some incidents allegedly occurring in connection to Elite events including scouting and contest activities. The probe involved at least 15 complainants, many of whom were young models scouted through programs like Elite Model Look, highlighting a pattern of abuse enabled by power imbalances in the industry. Although the French investigation was closed in 2023 due to the statute of limitations, civil lawsuits have continued, including a 2021 federal suit by former model Carré Otis alleging rape by Marie at age 17 during her time with Elite, which was allowed to proceed in U.S. courts as of November 2024. Early scrutiny of the contest also intensified in the 2020s due to Trump's role as a and host in the 1990s editions of Elite Model Look (then known as Look of the Year), amid #MeToo revelations about the exploitation of teenage participants. Resurfaced footage from shows Trump evaluating models as young as 15, with later accounts from participants describing a predatory environment at these events involving powerful figures. Critics have connected this to broader industry patterns of abuse toward underage models, arguing that the contest's format exposed vulnerable teens to inappropriate interactions without sufficient protections. Exploitation claims have centered on the contest's eligibility starting at age 14, which critics say promotes underage and leaves international finalists vulnerable to financial and living hardships. Industry reports have documented how modeling agencies, including those tied to , often advance costs for travel and housing to young participants, trapping them in where earnings are offset against inflated expenses, sometimes resulting in poor or unsafe accommodations for non-local winners. Organizations advocating for model rights have highlighted cases of international teens facing substandard conditions during contest-related stays, exacerbating risks of exploitation in a deregulated field. The contest experienced pauses amid these controversies, including a cancellation in 2006 attributed to internal disputes at , such as ongoing lawsuits over agency practices and leadership conflicts. No world final was held that year, reflecting broader instability within the company during a period of legal challenges. No world final was held for the 2023 edition, amid ongoing legal challenges facing , including a 2019 class-action suit alleging poaching and contract breaches. National selections continued in 2023, with representatives advancing to the 40th world final held in , , in 2024. In response to these allegations, implemented reforms in the , including enhanced safeguards like mandatory reporting protocols for and for staff to address systemic biases and risks. The agency has also considered adjustments to age minimums amid calls to better protect minors, though eligibility remains at 14 with required; ongoing lawsuits, including those related to historical assaults, continue to shape these efforts as of 2025.

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