Ivan Bart, the powerful head of the IMG Models model agency, who changed the face of the catwalks, has died.

For many, he was the revenge of “plus size” models on the catwalks. She believed that women needed realistic role models. Just like men, whose image he believes is still too limited by the image of lean or muscular models. He said that he did not know him. During her thirty-year career with IMG Models, which she joined as an agent before serving as president from 2013 to 2023, she has discovered “unexpected” talent,” her brand. He helped shape the careers of star models including Carolyn Murphy, Stephanie Seymour, Kate Moss, Gisele Bundchen, Joan Smalls, Kate Upton and Tyra Banks.

In recent years, we owe him the appearance of names such as Jill Courtlev, Precious Lee and Paloma Elsesser, three models whose magnificent curves have changed the standards on the catwalks of fashion shows and in advertising campaigns (before that size was fixed at 34). Her death this weekend at the age of 60, six months after she stepped down as president of IMG Models, sent shockwaves through the fashion industry.

“It is with deep sadness and regret that I share the news of the passing of IMG Models longtime president and fashion industry pioneer Ivan Bart,” wrote Mark Shapiro, president and CEO of IMG’s parent company, Endeavor. The models, in a letter to the company’s employees, according to Women’s casual wear. “For three decades at IMG Models, Ivan literally changed the shape and face of the modeling industry from the inside out,” Shapiro continued. “His relentless pursuit of diversity and inclusion challenged fashion’s gatekeepers and created household names whose omnipresence inspired generations.”

Pre-standard

He looked for the faces that make up today’s era on social networks or reality TV shows. Like Gigi Hadid, who joined IMG Models in 2012. “I will never forget your spirit and your hugs, your support and your fight for others,” she wrote on her Instagram page after learning of his death. When Ivan Barth spotted her, she was best known for appearing on the television show alongside her mother, Yolanda Hadid, who was then a star on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. His popularity is well established, but the doors of the fashion world are closed to him. The agent will present it to the field players. Among them is Carine Roitfeld, who will present the American woman on the pages of her magazine. CR Fashion BookIn 2014

That year, he also courted Ashley Graham and other plus-size models who had been rejected by the Ford agency. The bet is received. the American woman becomes the first busty model to appear on the cover of British and American publications. Vogue: In a 2017 Instagram post, she thanked him for being “such a great advocate.” “I’m still digesting the news and I know I will continue to do so in the days, weeks and months to come,” she wrote in her message after learning of his disappearance. “You’ve been one of the most important parts of my career, you’ve moved mountains and broken down so many barriers for me,” he continued. “I can’t thank you enough for the opportunities you’ve created for me, the time you’ve invested in me, and the help you’ve given me to navigate such an unforgiving industry.”

360 degree inclusiveness

The agency boss has expanded this notion of inclusivity by supporting the careers of transgender models such as Harry Neff. “I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been told that no one will want to work with me until someone big decides it’s okay,” the model said. Stunned in 2016. A few months after signing with the IMG agency, she walked for Gucci, became the face of the & Other Stories campaign and appeared in the TV series Transparent. Ivan Barth will also be interested in May Musk, Elon Musk’s mother, who was 68 when she signed on with the agency in 2016. Behind him we will see the face of Ella Emhoff, the beautiful daughter of Vice President Kamala Harris. , who signed with the agency a week after attending the 2021 inauguration of President Biden.