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Chris Gay

Co-CEO, Elite Model Management

A leading talent manager, he has worked with some of the biggest names in modelling including Kendall Jenner, Liu Wen and Willow Smith.

Biography

One of the longtime leaders in the modelling industry, Chris Gay is the co-chief executive officer of Elite Model Management and president of The Society Management in New York City. Over the past two decades, Gay has overseen or directly managed the careers of some of the industry's most prominent fashion talents, ranging from established models such as Adriana Lima, Kendall Jenner , Liu Wen , Malgosia Bela, Isabeli Fontana, Willow Smith and Josephine Skriver, to directing The Society’s development of new stars Adesuwa, Adut Akech , Nathan Westling and  Vittoria Ceretti .   

Though his original ambitions were to become a sports agent, Gay chose a different path and started working in the modelling business while in college. After graduation, Gay moved to New York City, where Malgosia Bela became the first talent he began working with. Over his 20 year career in NYC, Gay has served as an officer at DNA, Women, and Marilyn Model management and was eventually tapped to be the first president of The Society Management, the New York arm of Elite World.

At The Society Management, he and his team pioneered the careers of a new generation of talents who not only captivated the industry, but also the mainstream public. Notable names such as Jenner, Liu Wen, Adut, Josephine and Westling began their career paths from scratch under The Society and Elite World's tutelage, and all have since become cultural phenoms in their own right. During his tenure at Society, Gay has worked with some of the most prestigious, globally recognised fashion houses and managed the careers of iconic and influential individuals, including Kendall Jenner, Liu Wen, Adriana Lima, Karlie Kloss  and Adut Akech.

Vital Statistics

Nationality

United States

Location
United States
Member since
2016

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What is The BoF 500?

The people shaping the global fashion industry, curated by the editors of The Business of Fashion, based on nominations and on-the-ground intelligence from around the world.