The March Issue // Modeling // Ugly Models
SUPER UGLY
How one modeling agency flipped the meaning of “marketable”
At the London-based modeling agency “Ugly Models,” there is absolutely no room for traditional beauty. Uh-uh. At Ugly, it’s the most unusual, eccentric and intriguing faces that get the gig. In fact, the one-of-a-kind agency’s unabashedly inclusive mission statement tells the whole story. Simply put, Ugly Models is about “celebrating everyone's unique beauty.” With major clients like Calvin Klein, Levi's, and Ed Hardy, owner Marc French (dubbed The Don/The Daddy/I AM Mister Ugly) proves that ugly is really quite beautiful.
— Joicelyn Dingle
tyra.com: Why are you so proud of your agency?
Marc French: Ugly Models is a celebration of diversity, allowing any kind of look to live the model dream. It is no longer the sole domain of the perfect-featured waif. Beauty is not just in the eye of the beholder—beauty is being unique, and more importantly, being comfortable in one's own skin. Ugly's incredible diversity allows everyone to have a crack at the model dream, regardless of ethnicity, body shape or size.
tyra.com: What is the criteria for an Ugly Model?
Marc French: The criteria for an Ugly model is someone who is comfortable in their own skin, a unique character, a leader as opposed to a follower of fashion, and not the stereotypical model of perfection portrayed by the media. Ugly models are positively oozing with character and uniqueness.
tyra.com: How long have you been around?
Marc French: Ugly was born in 1969. From the day we opened our doors we never needed to advertise. We have over 1,000 models on our books of all ages, shapes and sizes. Our popularity has led to an in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at the agency featuring some of our most unique models. The documentary also features scouting in New York and LA.
tyra.com: Who really wants Ugly models? Who are some of your more well-known clients?
Marc French: We have a complete client list online, but Calvin Klein, Diesel, Levi, Italian Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Elle, Harpers & Queen, Dove, Renault Cars, and Ford Motors to name a few. We cast everything from pop promos, feature films & newspaper print campaigns. Our clients range from high fashion to independent boutiques.
tyra.com: Which of one your models is booked the most? Would we know his/her face?
Marc French: Probably. One of our models, Del, is the only model in the world to have done three major jeans campaigns: Calvin Klein, Levi & Diesel! We represent everything from sumo wrestlers to body builders, nerds to jocks, tattooed to hippies, from short to tall and large to thin— all of whom work. There are no particular shapes or styles that work more than any other. Ugly has it all.
wow! impressive! i love this! but i have to admit, i'm not a big fan of it being called ugly...unless they are intending to give it a whole new meaning. 'ugly' has such a negative connotation (sp??). But if they are givi ... morewow! impressive! i love this! but i have to admit, i'm not a big fan of it being called ugly...unless they are intending to give it a whole new meaning. 'ugly' has such a negative connotation (sp??). But if they are giving a whole new meaning, it's time ugly had a new meaning!!! we, as a society, need it!
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wow very different..but i like it.
What they're doing is amazing. Calling it ugly... not so much.
The word ugly shouldn't be used so loosely. or actually at all. Looking at these pictures just irritates me that they are given the title "ugly". They are Beautiful people. People are just so afraid of things that are di ... moreThe word ugly shouldn't be used so loosely. or actually at all. Looking at these pictures just irritates me that they are given the title "ugly". They are Beautiful people. People are just so afraid of things that are different. "flaws" are actually beauty, they are what makes a person stand out. People just take it the wrong way and don't know how to react to anything different than what they see everywhere else.
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In my opinion, I think the fact they are getting people to embrace their unique Beauty is great! To turn around and call it ugly though.., I dont like so much.
cool beans
we need this in America!
Oh my god that tattoo girl is so beautiful! I love seeing everybody's unique looks, and I love seeing them represented in mainstream media!
I think it's beautifu of this agency is giving people with their own uniqness a chance to model and be as feirce as any model (: theirfore everyone has a chance to fufill a dream.
i try so hard to be on antm i tryed 11 12 13 14 n i am going totry 4 cycle 15 im knot giving up i have psuedo sezuires but i claim thos a way i havent had 1 in a whil i want to be on antm i cry every night knowing thats ... morei try so hard to be on antm i tryed 11 12 13 14 n i am going totry 4 cycle 15 im knot giving up i have psuedo sezuires but i claim thos a way i havent had 1 in a whil i want to be on antm i cry every night knowing thats my passion n knowing its my dream n im waiting for my turn i made a song its on my page i have a baby voice n i want the world to kno that voices scars skinny big boned short tall dnt make a diffrence its ur personality n i wnna be on antm 15 i think its my tyme to shine how about u tyra u wrote me on twitter in dm sayn gurl ur realy smizing my topmodel girls kould learn frm u
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I just love it!!!
I think the idea of encouraging people to be unique is great! :D
If "they" can do it. everyone can do it Lol
Something for everyone..its a good idea.
ugly models attract the public..they are very unique.
i think tht is just plain rude. if u like acting like yourself and u wont try to change urself for other ppl is not ugly. and just cuz ur comfotable in ur own skin doesnt make u ugly. god made us in his image and we shou ... morei think tht is just plain rude. if u like acting like yourself and u wont try to change urself for other ppl is not ugly. and just cuz ur comfotable in ur own skin doesnt make u ugly. god made us in his image and we should be proud of it and not try to change ourselves if we r not gonna b happy and always depressed. you have no rite to jusge ppl and catagorize them. there are ppl who die because they get catagorized as ugly and it hurts them.
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yea i dont see ugly at all but as differences which is not a hinderence but a indulgence or a light to other people and fascinating
I think it is a good idea actually, but when looking from another angle is it possibly another way to make fun of ugly people? some may make it but if asked which agency i was with i would not want to say 'ugly'.
I think I need to go to London. LOL. I'm plus sized and short but, ugly I'm not.
they have flaws...that is what makes them unique.....their uniqueness stands out among the others