Just over 15 years of operation in the fast-paced, high-stakes world of modeling, founder Heinz Holba has built L.A. Models into one of the most powerful and successful agencies in the industry. Since the early 1980s, Holba has worked tirelessly to bring a significant international modeling presence to Los Angeles. Holba’s efforts have paid off: L.A. Models is the largest modeling agency on the West Coast and one of the most respected in the world.
Holba’s well-established New York Model Management in Manhattan is quickly achieving the same notoriety. Providing full service to its clients, New York Model Management maintains a presence in the fashion center of the country as well as booking directly into Europe and other U.S. cities.
As primary promotional partner in the L.A. Looks Model Search Contest, an annual professional model search, L.A. Models provides not only the grand prize and runner-up modeling contracts but also takes a personal interest in the paths to success for these young hopefuls. Unfortunately, there are many people out there looking to make a quick buck by offering expensive photo sessions, makeovers, and other services that aren’t necessary to get started. Someone who is genuine can give these girls and boys advice and direction without it costing a fortune. We can determine pretty quickly if they have what it takes to make it.
Holba and L.A. Models have been instrumental in encouraging new clients worldwide to fully explore California and Arizona locations. Instinctively, Holba knew that models needed to possess more than just beauty to have worldwide appeal. He saw the natural, healthy, and casually elegant style of Southern California as the perfect backdrop to complement their beauty. Holba’s models soon represented that look to the world. Says Holba, “I could see the industry changing here. California locations are quite spectacular, and the range of locales – desert, ocean, and mountains – create moods for the camera. The simplicity of nature made for fabulous shoots, and the results were terrific.”
"Los Angeles has some of the best photographers in the fashion and beauty business. Combined with the entertainment factor, L.A. is an alluring destination for many star models,” says Holba. “There is a growing relationship between modeling and access to acting careers in the entertainment industry.”
After a number of L.A. Models clients expressed interest in exploring careers in film and television, Holba expanded to offer a fully diversified service to his talent with L.A. TALENT,a sister agency. This agency aggressively seeks commercial and theatrical opportunities for its multitalented clients. Like Holba’s other agencies, L.A. Talent has grown to be a major force in talent representation and is renowned for its strength in commercial television.