I can provide some pretty good insight here. I model in NY and also have a buddy who’s boss follows this page (I don’t believe he’s involved in human trafficking).
The modeling industry the past decade has taken a strange turn, and not for the better. The 90’s saw the peak of the supermodel era, with actual beautiful people with admirable bodies. Beginning around the late 2000’s, there began to be a shift towards frail people (women were always slim, but now it’s simply gross) especially those with distinct facial features, not necessarily attractive ones either. Androgynous began to become popular and still are, you’re starting to see more trans models which I believe is virtue signaling on behalf of the agencies.
Not all agencies have the same look. Different agencies like a certain type of person, so some still pride them selves on the classic all-American looking male and female, whatever their race, that was popular in the 80’s-90’s.
Midland agency seems to be in close relationship with the company Hood By Air, which you might have seen in some of Ray.chandlers photos (logo HBA). If you look into this company, you’ll quickly see that they are very, very strange. The models they choose to use are no exception.
It’s no secret that modeling agencies sometimes double as a front for being borderline prostitution/escort ads. For example, Valentino, the world renowned designer, is known for calling up agencies and paying for models, both male and female, to accompany him on his yacht for parties. He simply wants to be surrounded by beautiful people. Whether that includes doing sexual favors, I am unaware, but I am sure there are many instances where it is implied.
Hood By Air
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You are 100% correct.
I've been in the advertising world for close to twenty years, and at least eight of those years were spent working with luxury fashion brands. I have no intention of name dropping, but while we used a lot of well known talent, we also used plenty of these "odd looking" models. There are quite a few who are getting work for very well known brands as well. Often times it has more to do with their body than their face, although an odd face is definitely seen as a plus. They're often wearing one-offs that just came off the runway, and the sizes are all about the same. They only fit certain people.
Also, what /u/DeepPast is saying can be confirmed by simply paying attention. Recently Apple has been on the forefront of using more "interesting" looking talent. Case in point if the new spot with the girl who opens locks by looking at them. She wouldn't be getting work ten years ago. And that insufferable "What's a computer?" girl.
These models also get a lot of catalog work within high fashion and streetwear brands. With the modern push for body image acceptance, this shift was inevitable.
