THIRTY YEARS OF MODE MODELS
Founder Kelly Streit recalls his start
Alberta has had its fair share of modelling success stories.
Heather Marks, Tricia Helfer, Kim Noseworthy, Paul Greene, Kim Renneberg, Chad White, 2017’s Canadian Model of the Year Meghan Collison and The Young and the Restless star Jason Thompson are just a few of the faces who have made a splash in the international fashion scene over the years.
They may not have done so had it not been for the keen eye of Kelly Streit, founder and president of Mode Models.
“I don’t think there’s another agent in Canada with the passion, drive and knowledge that Kelly has,” says Heather Marks, a Calgary-born model who has appeared on the cover of Vogue and as part of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.
“Kelly taught me everything I needed to know about the industry. He taught me how to be comfortable in my own skin and how to be confident. I would never have become the model I am today if it wasn’t for Kelly always believing in me.”
Streit’s passion will be recognized on Friday, when PARKSHOW 2017 kicks off its annual fashion event with a special runway show in celebration of Mode Models’ 30th anniversary.
Streit’s story began in a smalltown in Alberta,
“I don’t really know how I got interested in fashion,” says Streit, who was raised in Innisfail.
“But I just loved it. Every month, I used to post different photos on a cork wall board when the new GQ magazine came out. I also put
I don’t think there’s another agent in Canada with the passion, drive and knowledge that Kelly has.
together portfolios of my favourite models of the ’80s.”
Streit tried his hand at modelling but soon realized it wasn’t for him. Instead, he started taking photos of people on the street whom he considered attractive, and at 20, opened the first Mode Models agency in Red Deer.
He brought some of his pictures to a modelling convention in Calgary, including one of Renneberg that caught the attention of Ford Models in New York.
“I was invited to meet with Eileen Ford, who at the time was grand dame of the modelling industry,” Streit says.
“She asked to see my portfolio of models and I replied by saying, ‘Actually, I’m here to see if I want to work with you.’ This should have gotten me thrown out, but it actually got me the job. She was pretty taken aback by what I said, but the only reason I said it was because I didn’t have any more models. How’s that’s for chutzpah?
“I was like, ‘If you give me time to find some more models, they’re yours.’”
After four years of working with Ford, Streit parted ways with the agency and put all his energy into his own fast-growing company.
For the next 15 years, Streit continued to help build the careers of not only hundreds of models, but also local photographers, designers and other fashion professionals such as makeup artist, Hung Vanngo.
“I reached out to Kelly and he pushed me towards photo shoots, magazines, and campaigns in Calgary,” says Vanngo, who now works with the likes of Selena Gomez, Julianne Moore, Gisele Bundchen, and Jennifer Aniston to name a few.
“He helped me out when I was in Toronto and Montreal and finally New York. Kelly saw talent in me and encouraged me to get out of Canada. I have said this before, but if I have anyone to thank for beginning my career, it would be him.”
By 2008, Streit felt he needed to take a step back to deal with his father’s death and to be more present in his young daughter’s life.
But when depression set in, Streit’s four-month sabbatical turned into six years of self-isolation while Michael Meneghetti took over the day-to-day dealings of Mode.
“I basically spent most of my time in the basement,” he recalls. “I didn’t return any phone calls. I thought everyone hated me.”
It was only after a chance meeting with a former client in December 2015 that Streit started to climb out his depression.
“I talked to her for three hours,” he says. “Then I went on Facebook for the first time in six years and saw all these messages of support and I was crying for a day. Right then I realized I’m meant to be doing this.”
Streit says the agency is back on track and he’s excited about his roster.
“I still represent my first supermodels on the same contract they signed 28 years ago,” Streit says. “That is unheard of in this industry, so I guess we must be doing something right as a company. I’ve changed many lives forever and that to me is an accomplishment. My reward is seeing them succeed and I plan on launching many more stars.”