"Models are not commodities; the agency's job is to serve the models."
Words by Han Chai. Portrait by Edwin S Freyer.
When discussing model agents in China, Jason Zhang is a name that cannot be overlooked. Jason is the founder of A.MANAGEMENT, a Shanghai-based modelling agency representing well-known, talented models in the industry, including Mao Xiaoxing, Miao Ziyi, Lynn Fan, Tao Ye and Chen Xue.
Hailing from Chongqing, Zhang now resides in Shanghai, where he founded A.MANAGEMENT in 2018. Surprisingly, Zhang did not come from a fashion background but an engineering one; his entry into the industry was driven by his proficiency in English.
After graduating university in 2012, Zhang sought an English-related job in his hometown, however, with limited foreign enterprises in Chongqing at that time, he found few suitable opportunities. Eventually, he joined a foreign band as their agent. In 2018, he moved to Hangzhou, which was emerging as a hub for commercial fashion development. It was there that Zhang gradually became involved in the fashion industry and officially established A.MANAGEMENT.
Unlike most large agencies, Zhang’s goal was not merely to expand the company’s size but to support his small and refined team to the best of his ability, maintaining the agency as a, “a small yet exquisite company—never compromising.“ He prioritized serving the models within the limited time and resources available, rather than measuring the company’s success solely by financial gains. Although expanding the company could potentially bring more profits, Zhang viewed it as a double-edged sword and a temptation. Transforming A.MANAGEMENT into a larger, highly commercialized company could compromise the quality of service for models and diminish his joy and sense of achievement. For Zhang, “Doing what I love without turning it into something I detest is my primary motivation.”
In this youth-driven and rapidly changing industry, Zhang understands that not everyone can make clear and rational judgments when faced with differing interests. Therefore, young models often require the help of agencies like Zhang’s team to discern different opportunities and make reasonable career plans, establishing an acceptable market value rather than succumbing to fleeting trends.
For some large modelling agencies, models are treated like commodities or money-making machines. However, to Zhang, models are his clients and partners, chosen mutually and built on a foundation of deep trust. One of the biggest issues in China’s modelling industry is that contracts are "easy to sign, hard to terminate." He explains that, since its inception, “A.MANAGEMENT has never had a model leave due to contract issues. This highlights the difference between A.MANAGEMENT and other Chinese agencies—the emphasis on models.”
Contrary to popular belief, Zhang explains that the modelling industry is not just for young individuals. Today’s market offers, “more diverse model choices,” catering to different age groups with varying client needs. As a top-notch agency, A.MANAGEMENT can efficiently assist models of different appearances and ages in choosing appropriate clients, making future plans and securing more opportunities.
Since its inception, A.MANAGEMENT has garnered trust and opportunities from both models and clients, allowing Zhang to maintain his initial passion and joy. Even if his future brings changes, Jason Zhang says he would leave the industry without any regrets.
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