For decades, the path into the modeling industry was narrow, opaque, and largely inaccessible. Unless you were scouted on a New York sidewalk or had connections in Paris or Los Angeles, your odds of getting signed by a top agency were slim. Josh Weinstein and Payton Guenter saw a way to change that.
“We built Preview Models to be a game-changer—because waiting to be ‘discovered’ is not a business plan,” said Weinstein.
Founded in 2017, Preview Models set out to dismantle traditional barriers and rethink how aspiring talent connects with the fashion and entertainment industries. Modeled after accelerators like Sundance and Art Basel, it is neither a cattle-call showcase nor a pay-to-play gimmick. Instead, it’s a high-production, invite-only talent incubator designed to fast-track careers.
Preview Models isn’t an agency. It doesn’t take commissions or manage careers. It functions as a gateway—an immersive event that brings emerging talent face-to-face with the people who can change their lives: agents, casting directors, and brand executives from firms like IMG, Wilhelmina, and Elite Model Management.
“Preview Models is structured around one core principle: access matters more than talent if no one knows you exist,” said Payton Guenter.
The traditional model of getting signed—emailing photos, waiting weeks for a reply, and often getting ghosted—doesn’t apply here. Preview Models condenses what could take years into a single high-stakes weekend. Over 25 top agencies attend. One-on-one meetings follow. And real deals are made.
This emphasis on access is only part of what differentiates the platform. There’s also production value and serious industry preparation. Attendees don’t just show up; they’re trained by working professionals in modeling, acting, and digital branding. Portfolio shoots, demo reels, and media coaching are all part of the package.
“The industry isn’t just looking for a face, it’s looking for a business investment,” said Weinstein. “We seek individuals who understand that modeling is a business, not a lottery.”
Marketability, professionalism, and charisma are the core criteria. Not height. Not weight. Not even traditional beauty. The goal is to be undeniable to the right people at the right moment.
This year’s flagship event was themed around cyberpunk fashion—futuristic, bold, and digitally inspired. It featured over 180 new talents, live performances, and runway presentations from celebrity-led brands like Chanel West Coast’s Coasty Swim and Darcey & Stacey Silva’s House of 11.
“The March 29 event is not just a fashion show, it is a cinematic, high-stakes spectacle that blends the future of fashion, entertainment, and digital influence,” said Guenter.
But the real work happens behind the scenes. “The runway show is the stage, but the real business happens behind the scenes,” Weinstein emphasized. “This is a global talent launchpad disguised as an unforgettable fashion experience.”
Panel discussions, industry-led workshops, and direct mentorship sessions fill the days before and after the show. Attendees walk away with not just visibility, but actionable opportunities—whether in runway, commercial, e-commerce, or influencer-driven work.
Talent from Preview Models has signed with top agencies, appeared in global campaigns, and graced the cover of British Vogue. Others have become the faces of major beauty brands like Ulta and Sephora. And many of these successes began with their very first industry introduction at a Preview Models event.
“What makes Preview Models unique is that these aren’t hand-selected talents already on the industry’s radar,” said Weinstein. “These are individuals who walked into our event looking for their first break and walked out with an agent, a manager, or a career-changing opportunity.”
With the modeling world increasingly merging with digital influence and entertainment, Preview Models is evolving to meet that moment. The platform is now working with agencies that specialize in influencer careers, e-commerce modeling, and crossover opportunities in film and television.
“This is no longer just about fashion. It’s about the new face of entertainment,” said Guenter.
As talent discovery shifts away from inboxes and outdated submission portals, Preview Models is staking its claim as the future of the industry—fast, direct, and built on substance over spectacle.