Yet another nasty catfight between rival modeling agencies: Wilhelmina Models has slapped a lawsuit against IMG Models for hiring men’s- model agent Kevin Apana to launch its men’s division.
Wilhelmina filed a complaint against IMG — which boasts a roster of top female faces, including Karlie Kloss, Kate Upton, Joan Smalls and Gisele Bundchen — Thursday in New York State Supreme Court. IMG Senior Vice President/Managing Director Ivan Bart and Apana are also named in the suit.
Last week, IMG, which closed its men’s division in 2005, announced it will relaunch its men’s board with Apana and former Wilhelmina agent Greg Chan. According to reports, both men worked at Wilhelmina until February.
But according to the complaint, Apana was in the middle of a two-year contract with Wilhelmina to work as a senior model agent, earning $155,000 annually, when he resigned. The suit claims Apana, who lives in Brooklyn, was in breach of contract when he accepted the role at IMG.
“Despite the fact that Apana’s contract with Wilhelmina is still in effect, IMG believes it can simply ‘muscle’ its way back into the men’s modeling business by hiring Apana and taking advantage of Apana’s significant experience, knowledge and contacts with other agencies, Wilhelmina’s male models and its clients,” said the suit.
A rep for Wilhelmina had no comment on the complaint. An IMG Models spokesman had no comment.
The suit against Apana comes after former Wilhelmina President Sean Patterson sued the agency and its CEO, Mark Schwarz, for $2 million after he left in February.
Patterson claimed in his suit that Schwarz asked Patterson and others to facilitate a meeting with Black Eyed Peas lead singer Fergie at Schwarz’s home in Aspen “because Schwarz wanted to take Fergie out to hot clubs.” Patterson denied his request.
An IMG rep had no comment.