Hailey Clauson on Her Mission to Make Modeling More Inclusive and Sustainable

Hailey Clauson.Ivan Apfel/Getty Images

The walls of Hailey Clauson’s childhood bedroom were plastered in magazine clippings. Her room was the canvas for an early fascination with photography and models. Even in those formative years, she recognized modeling as an art form. It wasn't long before she persuaded her father to accompany her to an open casting call at Ford Models in Los Angeles.

Clauson signed with the agency that day. Now, after 15 years and numerous assignments, her dedication to her craft remains unwavering. But with years of experience has come a greater understanding of the business side, too. Today, in addition to her continued modeling commitments, Clauson is the creative director and co-owner of Margaux the Agency.

Creative direction wasn’t always on her radar, but when the right opportunity came around, she knew she had to take it, as much for herself as for younger talent facing challenges she knew intimately.

Margaux the Agency was created in 2015 with the intention of shaking up established industry norms, a mission that Clauson strongly believes in. When she was asked to join the team about two years ago, Clauson didn’t hesitate. She saw it as an opportunity to effect change from within, to use her own experience as fodder for leading the agency in the direction that she believes the industry itself should trend.

Clauson took the chance to talk to our team about her modeling background, her commitment to Margaux the Agency and her goals and hopes for its future.

On her personal growth over the past 15 years

“The industry, in general, has changed a lot, and I've grown up a lot. Being on set as a young teenager compared to being on set as an adult is such a different experience.

I’m way more mature and way more comfortable in my own skin, which makes a difference for me personally and for working with the clients, as well.”

On her arrival at creative direction

“I never thought I would be a creative director—especially at a modeling agency—or an owner. I always thought I would do something else [creative] in the industry. I just didn’t really know what it was. But I would say that from pretty early on in my career, I’ve been pretty vocal about changes that I’ve wanted to see in the industry. And when this opportunity came to me to become a partner at the agency, it felt like the best way to start making those changes that I want to see.”

On the problems she has observed in the industry

“It’s been 15 years in the industry and there are a lot of things that I didn’t like, [such as] how models were being treated or spoken to. And I think models just weren’t properly being educated that this is their business and given the right tools [to succeed].

I just want to create something that I wish I had as a young model.”

On how the Margaux the Agency approach differs

“We take our time getting to know every single person we bring on and finding a specific path for their careers. I don’t like to put anybody in a box. I think everybody’s different and is going to go in a different direction. I’ve noticed in the past a lot of agencies have the same formula for everybody, and if it doesn’t work, it doesn’t work. I don’t think that’s a very modern way to manage somebody.”

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On Margaux’s mission

“We have many missions. But to create success stories with our talent is super important, whether it’s somebody becoming a supermodel or a mogul. It’s amazing to be a part of somebody’s growth and to help guide them to be the best versions of themselves.”

On how her own experience has informed her role at the agency

“Being able to be in the models’ shoes in the first place is super helpful for them. I know what it’s like to be in these positions—going on set and having all of these people stare at you. It’s really intimidating, especially at the beginning. So it’s really helpful to explain step-by-step what it’s going to be like and also give them helpful tools that I wish I had throughout my career.”

On the kinds of talent that Margaux seeks out

“We like to find unique and unexpected talent who don’t fit your traditional beauty standards. We like really interesting people with something more to offer than just their looks. And we’re a family at Margaux, so we like to get to know everybody we work with.

We represent people we find inspiring. Do they have some cool creative talent? Do they have really cool style? Are they doing other things outside of the industry that we can help brand them off of? For us, it’s exciting to have somebody that’s new and unique and that the industry hasn’t seen before, and that is not limited by their gender or their body types.”

On Margaux’s approach to mentorship

“Development is one of the most important parts of a model’s career. Some models need a while to build up their confidence and learn all the skills and tools to have success in the industry. We don’t want to send somebody out there if they don’t feel that they’re ready or we don’t feel that they’re ready. Sometimes it could take a few months [to feel ready], sometimes it can take a few years depending on the talent.”

On how they help talent build their confidence

“One of the members of the Margaux team and I do workshops with some of our newer models and work with them on being in front of the camera and pushing them outside of their comfort zone. Whether it’s making silly faces or just trying new things, I think that’s really helpful. We also put our talent in acting classes, which helps them build that confidence.”

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On body positivity and not publishing their model’s measurements

“We really felt like it wasn’t necessary to have people’s measurements up for public view. Their measurements aren’t important—we don’t bring on models based on measurements or height. We felt like it was a choice that aligned with what we believe in.

When I started modeling, every model had to be the same size—sample size—and there was really no body inclusivity at all at the time. I had many experiences of being measured every time I’d go up to the agency, and I was never, quote unquote, ‘the perfect measurements.’ That really did make me feel horrible. I never want a model to feel that we’re judging them based on what their measurements are or expect them to fit a certain mold.”

On Margaux being women-owned and operated

“We’ve really been seeing women taking back their power more and more [in recent years]. Being a leading force for women in the fashion, beauty and entertainment industry, like Sports Illustrated Swimsuit has been doing—we want to do the same thing. The women who are operating Margaux are a really powerful group of women with different skill sets to offer—the women on our team are mothers, creatives and business women.

Especially having some of the women [who are moms] on the team [creates] a very nurturing, caring environment, which I think makes our models feel very safe and comfortable.”

On the changes that she hopes to see in the industry

“I think the industry has come super far since I first started modeling. But I definitely feel like there’s still work to be done. I think a lot of the inclusivity is very performative and not very authentic.

In addition to that, I think models being paid on time [is a change that needs to take place]. It starts with the clients and the agencies both being held accountable. [Currently], it takes a really long time for models to get paid, and models are waiting paycheck by paycheck to pay their bills.

I would [hope to see] more models being properly educated on their business, from contracts and statements or usages of their images. I think that a lot of models don’t receive the right tools to really understand the logistics of [their work].

For [Margaux], we are very straightforward from the beginning about every detail along those lines and really encourage our talent to ask us questions about things that they don’t understand. We want our models to know that this is their business and they need to know every single detail.”

On the future of Margaux and its outstanding goals

“The end goal is to make the changes in the industry that are long overdue, particularly models being paid faster as well as [increased] inclusivity. If we become one of the top agencies in the world, we can really set that standard.

Also, [we intend to] continue to grow strong, long-lasting careers for our talent and help them to find other avenues outside of the traditional modeling path.”

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In her own words, Clauson’s career has “been a journey”—and it’s not over yet. Having just broken into creative direction, her goals and intentions for her own career, and for the industry as a whole, are just beginning to come to fruition. But, if one thing is certain, her role in Margaux’s direction and effecting industry change is indispensable.

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