In recent years, the fashion industry has seen a growing number of alternative modelling agencies breaking the norm and challenging traditional beauty standards. These agencies represent a diverse range of models, including those that may not fit the typical industry mould.

From plus-size and older models to those with disabilities and unique, refreshing looks, these 15 alternative agencies are changing the face of fashion. They align with our values at Contact, empowering models from all walks of life.

So here’s a roundup of the edgy, trailblazer agencies in the UK and on the Contact platform.

Tattoos, body modifications, all kinds of body shapes, disabilities and atypical face features are all welcome at Gee Small Faces. Founded by Gee Small, who’s also a model on Contact, the agency looks for people with strong personalities.

In the words of Gee Small: “I want to give a platform to people who shine because of who they are and what they look like."

ZEBEDEE is a revolutionary modelling agency championing disabled, visibly different, non-binary, and trans models in the UK.

Created by co-founders Laura Winson & Zoe Proctor in 2017, Zebedee is now the world's leading inclusive talent agency, helping brands create groundbreaking campaigns and drive positive change in the fashion industry.

LUCY HOWELL represents ordinary people with extraordinary personalities. Lucy Howell models look like your friend, mom, grandma, neighbour and colleague. It’s a refreshing, wonderfully mundane roaster that people can actually relate to.

Revolt Model Agency is a new-generation model agency founded in late 2017 by London-born sisters and industry experts Sophia and Miriam. They focus on hand-selecting eclectic models with unique personalities, styles and talents. Their books boast a diverse range of creatives, from musicians to fashion stylists, dancers to actors, connecting high fashion brands with progressive individuals. To learn more about their ethos, read our interview with Revolt's founder Sophia Maslin.

Utopia boasts an impressive roster of diverse models and influencers who've worked for brands and designers like Nike, Ray Chu and Adidas.

Founded by fashion photographer Sara Carpentieri, Liquid promotes unconventional models that cater to a vast range of needs for brands, designers and artists.

TOPEX is a mother agency directed by Tabatha López Palmby, based between London and Bristol. TOPEX welcomes models with rare and interesting looks, like Kofi Amoah.

Founded by photographer Zoey Sclare, Agency 7 is a unique modelling agency - perhaps the only one doing what it does in the modelling world - acting as a platform for young creatives and students who need models for projects. Students can collaborate with new faces for free, and the models can then build a professional portfolio and use it to get picked up by a bigger agency.

Agency 7 scouts people who bring something different to the table with how they look and present themselves. Height and weight don’t matter here, because Zoey doesn't believe they define whether someone should be able to model or not.

Learn more about Agency 7 in our interview with Zoey.

Founded by Blue Kizozo, Blue Agency is a statement against the conventional beauty paradigm in the industry. Blue was tired of seeing the same faces on the runway and in brand campaigns. So she created Blue Agency to champion grunge, punk, raw, androgynous, and ethnic models. As she told in an interview for ASBO magazine, “I didn’t want to go out and scout waist sizes, I wanted to go out and find identities.”

Mami Management is a London-based mother agency representing selective and emerging ethnic faces in fashion. They work with their models on a personal level to help them grow their careers and prioritise the importance of mental health in the industry.

Tide is a London-based global casting agency. They create award-winning content through their curated casting, connecting models with the world’s leading fashion brands, publications, and media groups. Tide Casting provides a wide variety of models for runways, look-books, editorials, campaigns and films.

Founded by Casting Director and former IMG-represented model Autumn Jensen, this diverse model agency represents both models and international athletes. They’ve worked for Nike, Chanel, Vogue, Lacoste and many more world-class brands.

Gully Talent is a new alternative modelling agency with atypical models, opening new pathways in the industry.

Lucy-Isobel Bonner is a stylist and casting director with extensive experience in the fashion industry. She hand-picks diverse, talented multidisciplinary models for brands and designers.

WIMP is an LGBTQ modelling agency that represents TRANS+ multifaceted models and creatives, giving a safe, kind and inclusive platform for those who live beyond the boxes of social norms.

Are you an agency representing diverse models? We'd love to work with you. Let's meet.