Biography
In 1989, partners Faith Kates and Joel Wilkenfeld started Next modelling agency which they have subsequently grown aggressively. Kates started at Wilhemina models in the 1980s and supervised the women’s division before leaving to launch her own agency.
The agency quickly expanded into key markets, including London, Paris, Milan, Los Angeles and Miami. Next is known within the industry for working with top new faces as well as established fashion models with global recognition. Credited with spotting top models such as Arizona Muse , Abbey Lee Kershaw, Zuzanna Bijoch and Suvi Koponen, Next oversees the careers of some of the most internationally recognisable faces on runways and in editorials. In October 2017, it was announced that Next would open a men's division in New York.
The agency has also become known as having an innate eye for helping their talent build dynamic and long lasting careers — models such a Molly Sims, Cody Horn, Joy Bryant and Jaime King have made the transition from fashion to film while being guided by Next.
The Next Branding team has agents that specialise in special bookings for top celebrities and talent globally. They represent people such as Alexa Chung , Alice Dellal, Edgar Ramirez, Ellie Goulding, Harley Viera-Newton, Jessica Alba, Lana del Rey, Lou Doillon, Rita Ora, Suki Waterhouse and many others. Sixteen-year-old rising singer Billie Eilish was signed to Next in October 2018.
In 2011, Next acquired the leading agency representing chefs, TwoTwelve Management. Rounding out the dynamic roster of talent now are household names including Tom Colicchio, Geoffrey Zakarian, David Burke and Michael Symon.