If Janice Dickinson and Tyra Banks have sullied the view of modeling agencies and models, VNY Model Management is here to ring in some true reality. In fashion, a model has the ability to not just wear clothing, but become the epitome of a brand and VNY has proven this on a grand scale with a relatively small boutique agency.

Founded in 2001 by Lana Winters, VNY began as –and still is—one of New York City’s only successful boutique agencies, but with a different style. Ignoring the “factory approach,” VNY carefully handpicked each model with the certainty of them succeeding. Under the tutelage of Lana Winters, VNY Model Management is responsible for giving fashion many of its top models who have graced the covers of print fashion magazines like Vogue and have become the faces for such high-end companies as Burberry and John Varvatos.

With equally successful men's and women's divisions, VNY represents less than 75 models, but has a firm hand on the pulse of fashion. All this without a weekly reality show.

by Steven Anendale