Ford Models to host first India casting call in Mumbai this May

MUMBAI: Ford Models, one of the most influential names in the global fashion industry, is making its India debut with an open casting call in Mumbai, offering aspiring models a direct shot at international recognition.

Scheduled for May 16, 2026, at Jio World Drive in Bandra Kurla Complex, the casting marks the agency’s first official scouting initiative in the country. For many, it could be a rare chance to step onto the global fashion stage without leaving home turf.

Founded in 1946 in New York by Eileen Ford, the agency has spent over eight decades discovering and shaping some of the most recognisable faces in fashion. Its expansion into India reflects the growing importance of the country as both a fashion market and a talent hub.

The open call invites applicants aged between 15 and 25 from across India. Eligibility criteria include a minimum height of 170 cm for women and 180 cm for men, with parental consent required for those under 18. Registrations are currently open, with shortlisted candidates getting the opportunity to be evaluated directly by Ford’s global scouting team.

Unlike conventional auditions, this initiative is positioned as a gateway to international exposure. Selected talent could gain access to runway shows, global campaigns and representation across major fashion capitals, placing them firmly on the industry’s radar.

The move also signals a broader shift, with global agencies increasingly looking beyond traditional markets to discover diverse, fresh faces. India, with its expanding fashion ecosystem and rising global influence, is fast becoming a key stop on that scouting map.

For aspiring models, the message is simple: sometimes, all it takes is being in the right place at the right time. This May, Mumbai could be exactly that place.