Managing Partner Michael Wildes is proud to announce the approval of the petition filed on behalf of APM Model Management to secure O-1 classification for international fashion model Anastasiia Sapozhnikova.
APM Models is a boutique model management firm representing international and local models alike in New York City. Established in 1996 in Manhattan’s historic Union Square neighborhood, the agency has become a celebrated name in the New York fashion world. APM represents models in the highly competitive and influential fashion and advertising industries with the goal of securing significant and profitable editorial and advertising assignments with leading U.S. and international clients. APM’s distinguished approach speaks for itself in that they have provided fashion models for such world renowned clients as L’Oreal, Marc Jacobs, Vogue, Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Armani, Saint Laurent, Adidas, and Diane Von Furstenberg, among many notable others. Furthermore, APM models have shot with famed photographers such as Thierry LeGoues, Jason Kibbler, and Matthew Priestly to name a few.
Beginning her career in her home country of Russia, Ms. Sapozhnikova was discovered by the prominent Russian agency Andy Fiord Models, whose models have appeared for top clients such as L’Officiel, Ming Magazine, BLVD Magazine, and Unconditional Magazine. After modeling in fashion shows for Russian designers, the Andy Fiord agency placed Ms. Sapozhnikova with several agencies abroad where she amassed international experience and recognition. In these international markets, she has been represented by Mission Models Hong Kong, Wizard Models Tokyo, Elite Model Management Bangkok, Upfront Models Singapore, Major Models Milan, and MP Model Management Paris.
In demonstration of her exceptional talent, Ms. Sapozhnikova has appeared for prestigious publications such as Vogue Taiwan, Elle Magazine, Style Magazine, Harper’s Bazaar, Milk Magazine, and Snip Style Magazine (Japan). In these editorials, Ms. Sapozhnikova has showcased designs of prestigious brands such as Saint Laurent, Chanel, Comme des Garcons, Tommy Hilfiger, Coach, Tory Burch, Michael Kors, Kate Spade, Louis Vuitton, Vivienne Westwood, Prada, and Miu Miu, among others.
In addition, Ms. Sapozhnikova has modeled in catalogs for major designers such as Tsumori Chisato, Vivienne Westwood Red Label, Selected, and Vero Moda, among others. She also appeared in a look book for Made In Heaven brand in Tokyo. Ms. Sapozhnikova has done extensive runway work, modeling for a long list of internationally renowned designers to include Chanel, DKNY, Pandora, Max Mara, Laura Biagiotti, and Manish Arora.
Due to her high demand and extraordinary talent, APM Models has signed an exclusive contract with Ms. Sapozhnikova to manage her modeling career in the United States.
The O-1 nonimmigrant visa is available to an individual who possesses extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics, or one who has a demonstrated record of extraordinary achievement in the motion picture or television industry. The individual must be able to demonstrate sustained acclaim in their field, as one who has garnered national or international recognition for his/her achievements. Ms. Sapozhnikova’s modeling portfolio provided a solid foundation in support of her qualification for the O-1 visa.
For fashion models, the O-1 requirements may be met by submitting evidence such as: magazine tear sheets, ad campaign work, runway photos, press articles, awards, and/or examples of high rates of compensation. It is also helpful to demonstrate that the model has worked with distinguished model agencies abroad and to provide testimonial letters from prominent individuals in the fashion industry who can confirm the model’s distinctive reputation and work history. The model must have a U.S. employer or agent to sponsor the visa petition and an itinerary of upcoming work in the U.S.
For more than 5 decades, the firm of Wildes & Weinberg has concentrated its practice in all aspects of U.S. immigration and nationality law, servicing the immigration eeds of prominent American and International firms, banks, industrial, financial and manufacturing concerns and law firms in connection with the needs of their foreign national employees. In addition, the firm has a distinguished clientele and has done substantial immigration work for investors, scientists, physicians, bankers, performing artists, directors, writers, models, actors, athletes, fine artists, art dealers, curators, and literary agents.
The Wildes & Weinberg firm has a wealth of experience handling O-1 petitions for fashion models as well as many other extraordinary individuals across various industries and areas of expertise. Our team of O-1 experts is available to evaluate an individual’s qualifications and to guide applicants through each step of the process.
For more information on the O-1 visa category, allows individuals of extraordinary ability in the arts, sciences, athletics, education and business to live and work in the United States, please visit our Immigration 101 page or contact Managing Partner Michael Wildes at michael@wildeslaw.com.