After 36 years at the helm, Faith Kates—the influential founder of Next Model Management—has officially stepped away, leaving both the industry and observers with more questions than answers. Her low-profile departure, especially amid the backdrop of newly-released Jeffrey Epstein files referencing her, is raising eyebrows far beyond the catwalk.
But what’s really at stake here? Let’s unpack the layers and see why Kates’ exit is about more than just a change in agency leadership.
Why This Matters
- Kates shaped the face of modern modeling, launching the careers of icons like Molly Sims, Abbey Lee, and Milla Jovovich.
- Her exit comes at a time when the fashion industry faces unprecedented scrutiny—from transparency demands to #MeToo reverberations and the shadow of power abuse scandals.
- The timing—so soon after Epstein associations were made public—raises new questions about accountability and the need for industry-wide reform.
- Kates’ philanthropic legacy, including raising over $30 million for ovarian cancer research, sets a high bar for leadership giving back to society.
What Most People Miss
- Kates had been contemplating retirement for years, according to close friends. Her exit isn’t necessarily a direct result of controversy—but perception matters.
- Next Model’s shift to digital innovation—from hiring digital artists to embracing AI—has set industry trends that competitors are just now catching up to.
- The silence from Next’s management and industry watchdogs like the Model Alliance could signal either internal recalibration or a deliberate PR strategy to ride out the news cycle.
Key Takeaways
- Leadership transitions in legacy agencies often expose long-standing cultural issues—and the fashion world is watching closely.
- Kates’ philanthropic focus on women’s health and AI-driven diagnostics could inspire a new era of tech-meets-charity leadership in creative industries.
- The lack of official statements is a high-stakes gamble: staying quiet may protect reputations in the short term, but it also risks fueling rumor mills and eroding trust.
Industry Context & Comparisons
- Next Model isn’t the first agency to face leadership change amid controversy. Elite Model Management’s shakeup in the early 2000s and the more recent Vogue staff departures over workplace culture both serve as cautionary tales of transparency—or the lack thereof.
- Over $1B flows through the global modeling industry annually. Reputational risk is now a bottom-line issue, not just a PR headache.
- Kates’ focus on digital and AI innovation is ahead of the curve—many agencies are still grappling with the basics of influencer management.
Action Steps for Industry Insiders
- Agencies: Review crisis communication strategies and prioritize transparency over silence.
- Models: Demand clear codes of conduct and reporting mechanisms for abuse or misconduct.
- Watchdogs: Increase oversight and foster more open industry dialogue, especially as power players change seats.
Pros & Cons Analysis
- Pros: Kates’ legacy is one of innovation, philanthropy, and industry leadership. Her retirement could open doors for new, diverse voices in agency leadership.
- Cons: The silence around her exit and its proximity to negative headlines may cast a shadow on an otherwise storied career.
“36 years after starting [N]ext by accident I have decided it’s the right moment to step back and retire from a job I loved.” — Faith Kates, in her farewell email
The Bottom Line
Faith Kates’ departure from Next Model Management isn’t just an end-of-an-era moment—it’s a critical juncture for an industry under the microscope. Her philanthropic pivot and agency’s digital edge show the right direction, but the cloak of silence surrounding her exit is a cautionary tale. If the fashion world wants to build trust in the post-#MeToo landscape, it must embrace transparency and bold leadership—on and off the runway.