A Manhattan agency is suing one of its top models — who has graced the catwalk in Victoria’s Secret and J.Crew — for dumping the company to work for a competitor.
DNA Model Management says in the $2 million suit that it plucked French-born Anais Mali from obscurity in 2013 and made her a seven-figure star, according to the Manhattan Supreme Court filing.
Under DNA’s guidance, Mali became the face of Dolce & Gabbana cosmetics and appeared in magazines from Vogue to Allure, according to court papers.
Even though Mali’s income doubled when she worked with DNA, the 5-foot-9 beauty ditched DNA for competitor Next by e-mail last month, the suit says.
Her exclusive contract runs through February 2016, the suit says.
DNA also is suing Next, claiming it has a “practice” of “poaching” high-earning models who have been groomed by other agencies.
Reps for Next and Mali did not return calls for comment.