Talk about a fashion faux pas!
Insiders tell Page Six there’s been a “bloodbath” at Wilhelmina as top-level agents have fled — and there could be more to exit under the leadership of director Cory Bautista and the firm’s CFO/COO Guarav Pahwa.
Two top execs who’ve parted ways with the famed modeling agency in recent months include Matt Trust and Gene Kogan. The duo were hired prior to the COVID-19 pandemic to “right the ship” of the agency’s men’s division after the controversial tenure of former agency CEO and onetime Condé Nast vet Bill Wackermann.
“It’s like they’re back at square one. They’ve decimated their entire men’s team,” a fashion source told us of the recent developments.
Ironically after leaving, Trust and Kogan have moved over to Bautista and Pahwa’s former firm, NY Model Management, with ex-Wilhelmina agent Jessica Rosenberg following along.
We’re now told that several Wilhelmina models — including three of their biggest male clients — are desperately trying to get out of their contracts at the storied firm.
“The management has lost all credibility, and no one feels protected,” a source sniffed.
Wilhelmina suffered a similar situation back in 2019 when several employees walked out on Wackermann, we reported at the time.
Insiders likened the turnover to an episode of HBO’s hit at the time, “Game of Thrones.” It seems like it’s back to the future at the firm, with the “remaining 50 percent of staff in the men’s division resigning,” our source alleged. “It’s like a bloodbath, and it’s likely going to reverberate on the women’s [division],” they added.
A spokesperson for the modeling agency told us when we reached out for comment that the company parted ways with Trust and Kogan because they “were not the right fit for our organization.”
The rep added: “At Wilhelmina, we hold our agents and leadership to the highest standards and are committed to building a team that reflects our core values — professionalism, integrity, and a clear vision for long-term growth.”
The spokesperson also added, “While we can’t comment on specific model contracts or former personnel speculation, we remain focused on strengthening all divisions and ensuring continued success for our talent and partners.”
With offices in NYC, London, LA and Miami, the company was founded in 1967 when Ford model Wilhelmina Cooper famously started her own rival agency.
Its celebrity clients have included: Nicki Minaj, Niall Horan, Demi Lovato, Nick Jonas, Machine Gun Kelly, Billie Eilish and more.
