There are thousands today, but the fashion industry in China is not as well-developed compared with Western countries, and fashion weeks do not hit the spotlight like those in London, Paris and Milan.
Also, small, local agencies' lack of experience and resources has hampered the rise of the Chinese modeling business.
Only the New Silk Road model management agency, established in 1989, has any measure of recognition in the country.
Valenti believes the arrival of international agencies, such as Elite, can help the business grow, as well as promote more Chinese models to the world.
"It is good to enter the market at an early stage to make sure that we start to create business when the market begins to grow," Valenti said.
New Chinese faces and models will be important for international brands that want to get in touch with Chinese customers, she added, and Elite is positioning to ride the wave as the fashion world turns its attention to China.
Elite claims to be one of the first international model agencies to promote the image of Chinese beauty, discovering Sun Feifei and Ming Xi, two of the most in-demand Asian models.
"Now, Chinese models are well placed in the domestic market and are ready to be used by overseas brands," Valenti said.
She is confident that Chinese consumers will be at the forefront of luxury-goods buyers by 2015 at home and abroad, as predicted by consumer analysts. "And, for sure, the fashion system has to provide professional services, and models will be needed," said Valenti.
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