Zoli Agency

Zoli Agency
IndustryModeling agency
Founded1971 (1971)
FounderZoltan "Zoli" Rendessy
Headquarters
New York City
,
U.S.

The Zoli Agency was a modeling agency based in New York City, particularly notable in the 1970s and 1980s.[1] In 1981, the documentary filmmaker Frederick Wiseman released the film Model, which was filmed in part at the Zoli Agency. It was screened on PBS.[2]

History

The agency was established by a Budapest-born Hungarian designer named Zoltan "Zoli" Rendessy in 1971, as Zoli Management Inc.[3][4] It was originally more geared towards male models, and was known as one of the elite male modeling agencies in the 1970s.[1][5][6] The agency quickly made a name for itself as specializing in "fresh new faces, especially the freaky, funky, far-out varieties," as an article in People magazine put it.[4]

The agency had a considerable number of celebrities on their books, including Jay Johnson,[7] Veruschka (signed 1975),[1] Geena Davis (signed 1979),[8] Andy Warhol (signed in 1981),[9] Louise Robey, Vanity, and Dolph Lundgren (signed 1983), although his modeling for the company was short-lived as he was described as "a bit too tall and muscular for a model's size 40".[10]

In 1982, Rendessy died of lymphoma, having willed the agency to a group of senior employees,[11] including Barbara Lantz, Victoria Pribble, who were majority shareholders, and Tom Laspina. In 1983, Laspina sued Lantz and Pribble over share of ownership and left the company.[12] Later that year the agency opened an office in Hollywood to represent their clients in the movie industry. This effort was not successful and was ended in 1985.[11]

In 1989, the modeling agency expanded to Miami Beach for the launch of Zoli South.[13]

Zoli Management Inc. was dissolved on December 31, 2001.[14]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "New York Magazine". New York. New York Media, LLC: 87. November 3, 1975. ISSN 0028-7369. Retrieved August 2, 2011.
  2. ^ Model at Zipporah Films Archived January 22, 2018, at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ "CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION - ZOLI MANAGEMENT INC". NY State Dept. of State. NYS Department of State Division of Corporations. November 12, 1970. Retrieved March 9, 2026.
  4. ^ a b Wohlfert, Lee (September 1, 1975). "In the Mad, Mod World of Models, Zoli's Zoo Has Cornered the Crazies". People. Vol. 4, no. 9. Retrieved August 2, 2011.
  5. ^ Richardson, Donald Charles; Falocco, John (October 13, 1992). Men of Style: The Zoli Guide for the Total Man. Villard Books. ISBN 978-0-679-41211-3. Retrieved August 2, 2011.
  6. ^ Luce, Henry Robinson (1979). Fortune. Time Inc. p. 60. Retrieved August 2, 2011.
  7. ^ "The Return of Jay". Andy Warhol's Interview. 5 (1): 38. January 1975.
  8. ^ Current Biography Yearbook. H. W. Wilson Co. 1992. p. 176. Retrieved August 2, 2011.
  9. ^ "Warhol to Enter Model Wars". New York Magazine. 14 (20): 16. May 18, 1981.
  10. ^ "Biography". Dolph Lundgren.com (Official website). Retrieved August 2, 2011.
  11. ^ a b Delaney, Joan (March–April 1990). "Where there's a will, there's a way: bequeathed a modeling agency, two booking agents are increasing revenues by 20% a year". The Executive Female. 13 (2). National Association for Female Executives, Inc.: 70+.
  12. ^ "Fashion Notes from All Over". Vol. 16, no. 47. New York Media, LLC. New York. November 28, 1983. p. 16.
  13. ^ "Zoli Models New York". Latitude Talent. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
  14. ^ "ZOLI MANAGEMENT INC.- CERTIFICATE OF DISSOLUTION". NY State, Dept. of State. NY State Department of State Division of Corporations. December 31, 2001. Retrieved March 9, 2026.
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