In this episode of The Business of Modelling, Tessa sits down with Greg Chan, a veteran model agent whose 25-year career has helped shape the talent landscape. From his early days scouting on the streets of California to leading divisions at top New York agencies, Greg shares how he built careers for some of the industry’s most recognisable male models, and why the future of fashion representation looks very different.

 

He reflects on the evolution of agencies, the oversaturation of talent, and the hard truths models face today in a rapidly shifting market. Now the founder of Ask a Model Agent and The Supermodel Project, Greg offers real-world advice for emerging talent: how to talk to your agent, why digital portfolios often miss the mark, and what emotional resilience looks like in an era of direct bookings and social media hype.

 

Essential listening for aspiring models, agents, and anyone who wants to understand what it takes to succeed behind the scenes.

 

Greg Chan doesn’t just represent models, he’s spent decades helping shape what representation means in the fashion industry. With over 25 years of experience at agencies like DNA, IMG, Wilhelmina and Next, and now as the founder of Ask a Model Agent and The Supermodel Project, Greg’s story is one of reinvention, resilience, and radical transparency.

 

I sat down with him in New York for The Business of Modelling to talk about the highs and lows of his career, what agents get wrong, and how today’s models can take control of their futures.

 

Greg’s journey began in Northern California, far from the glossy surfaces of fashion capitals. He didn’t enter the business through art school or elite connections – instead, it started with a crush at a concert and a chance encounter with an LA agent.

 

“I didn’t even know what scouting was,” he told me. “But I was hungry to be part of something bigger.” That hunger took him to DNA in New York, where he worked in the men’s division just as the ‘heroin chic’ look was exploding. “I didn’t want to go home. So I stayed and figured it out.”

 

From there, his career rocketed – building divisions, signing talent, and eventually running Wilhelmina’s men’s board during its most iconic years. But behind the rapid success were hard lessons about burnout, image control, and the importance of learning to manage, not just place, talent.

 

When I asked Greg what separates average agents from great ones, he didn’t hesitate. “A great agent understands emotional needs. They protect the model. They know how to stretch every dollar and every decision to move a career forward intentionally.”

 

He talked about the fine line between building a model’s image and knowing when to push back or scrap an idea entirely. “If they don’t feel powerful in how they look, you’ve failed them.”

 

Greg’s biggest revelation? That agents often have bigger egos than models. “We need to check ourselves. We’ve got the power – now how do we use it to lift someone up?”

 

The pandemic marked a turning point. “I lost the most important person in my life,” he said. “Suddenly, all the career wins didn’t matter. I had to ask: What am I actually doing here?”

 

In lockdown, he put out a call on Instagram inviting models around the world to email him their struggles. The response was overwhelming, over 850 models reached out and Greg spoke to every one of them pro bono. “That was the beginning of Ask a Model Agent.”

 

Since then, he’s created The Supermodel Project, a nonprofit that pairs mentoring with community activism – from feeding programs to beach cleanups. “If you can teach young models they have worth beyond their face, you change how they handle rejection.”

 

Greg is honest about the state of the industry. “There are too many models and not enough support. Everyone’s replaceable. That makes it harder to build stars – or protect them.”

 

He’s also critical of self-booking platforms. “Models think they’re getting ahead. They’re not. They’re underpaid, unprotected, and they’re scaring off the major brands who care about quality.”

 

We talked about AI models too. While he respects the tech, he’s clear: “You can’t replace energy. Presence. That human moment in a room. That’s still what makes someone unforgettable.”

 

Greg ended our conversation with advice every model – and agent – needs to hear. “Don’t just say, ‘Why haven’t I booked?’ Say, ‘How can I be better? What am I missing? Teach me.’ That’s powerful.”

 

His approach blends compassion with candour, and his message is clear: if the industry is going to evolve, agents and models alike need to pivot and do the inner work.

 

Whether you’re a model, parent, agent or simply fascinated by fashion, Greg’s story is a timely reminder that the industry is built not just on beauty, but on bravery, belief, and a willingness to change.

 

We’re proud to share his journey.