Thailand’s Apple Model Management broke boundaries last year by becoming the first agency in the world to have a dedicated Transgender models division, in addition to its existing stable of cisgender male and female models. Now the forward-thinking agency has announced plans to open a Los Angeles branch focusing exclusively on the representation of transgender models.
Cecilio Asuncion, director of last year’s acclaimed documentary about trans women, What’s the T?, will serve as Apple Model Management L.A.’s agency director. “We see trans individuals as beautiful,” Asuncion told The Advocate. “Our strong commitment to developing them as successful models is never about quantifying or qualifying their gender. It’s never a question of if they are women or men, it’s about their passion and commitment to being the best possible models they can be.”
Apple Model Management L.A. opens this summer and already has six trans women on its books, but Asuncion is keen to expand its roster. The agency is now welcoming applications from trans women of 5’8 and taller and trans men of 6′ and taller at cecilio@applemodels.com.