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 Elena Kantariia.
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.
Hailing from Russia, Ms. Elena Kantariia has garnered an impressive reputation and following as a fashion model who has worked for prestigious clients internationally. In demonstration of her extraordinary acclaim, Ms. Kantariia has appeared on magazine covers and in editorials for prominent publications such as ELLE Mexico, Harper’s Bazaar Beauty, Cosmopolitan, Vogue Italia, L’Oficielle, Style Watch, ZBBZ, Icon Magazine and Inside Weddings. In addition to her editorial work, Ms. Kantariia has gained massive exposure from her appearance for major brand Sephora.
Of particular note, Managing Partner Michael Wildes, has served as a featured panelist for a fashion law symposium at Cardozo Law School titled “International Fashion Trends: The Business of International Fashion Law”.
In order to qualify for an O-1 visa which allows individuals of extraordinary ability in the arts, sciences, athletics, education or business to live and work in the United States, a foreign national must provide adequate documentation to demonstrate that he/she has sustained national or international acclaim in their field.
In addition, the individual must provide substantial evidence to prove that he/she meets 3 of the 6 evidence categories defined by statute, as well as a written advisory opinion from a labor union or relevant peer group. The O-1 visa applicant must also show that he/she has an offer of employment in the United States to work in his/her field of expertise (or several offers of employment from multiple sources, along with a third-party Agent to petition on the individual’s behalf and connect him/her to the multiple employers).
For more than fifty six years, the firm of Wildes & Weinberg has concentrated its practice in all aspects of U.S. immigration and nationality law, servicing the immigration requirements of prominent American and International individuals and corporations, banks, industrial, financial and manufacturing concerns, and law firms in connection with the personnel 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, musicians, and literary agents.
For more information on the O-1 visa category, which 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 Michael Wildes at michael@wildeslaw.com.