Manchester Fashion Week captured an exclusive interview with Lauren Mellor, Senior Model Booker and Model Scout with Boss Model Management to get the lowdown behind the scenes
How many models are on your books and are they booked internationally?
Boss Models represent approximately 300 models including catwalk, high fashion, advertising, catalogue, body and lifestyle models. Around 30% of these models work internationally, in the supreme fashion capitals of world including Paris, Milan and New York, along with cities further afield such as Tokyo, Sydney, Miami, Capetown, and more recently South Korea. One minute I could be saying ‘Ciao’, the next its ‘Bonjour’, my colleagues laugh when I ask for a cell phone number and I’ve not mastered the lingo yet in the Far East yet, but it will come.
You have spent a long time within the world of fashion what are the highlights of your career?
Eight and half years in the industry sounds like a long time but it has gone so quickly, it’s none stop. Every day I am faced with a different challenge; a new face to develop, a new client to book for or a new market to explore, it’s a fascinating world. The fashion industry is so fast paced, I am certainly kept on my toes and there’s never a dull moment. Every day is a highlight, it’s electrifying. It is hard work that requires a lot of energy and passion, but it’s fulfilling. It’s not as glamorous as people think it is, I go home at the end of the day looking like I’ve fought twelve rounds but I get to travel, meet exciting people, talk fashion, visit shoots and shows.
The ever changing world of fashion transforms at light speed, where do you see the future of fashion over the coming six months?
ASOS is a phenomenon and stemming from this I think the future of fashion this year will be seen more and more online. That’s not to say the shops will be dead, as fashion becomes faster and cheaper, there are more clothes to be had and we’ll all need bigger wardrobes.
What are your thoughts on the size zero debate?
I deem ‘size 0’ as very unhealthy and as for models in the fashion industry that are this size, I think they are few and far between. It is a debate that originates from across the pond and is much more celebrity endorsed than that sanctioned by the modeling industry.
Whats the hardest thing to overcome for aspiring models?
That they are their own commodity. My job is to develop, manage and sell models so to speak, so every day I am thinking about other people and not myself. Whereas for a model, every day is all about them, as an individual and what they look like. If they’re having a bad day they still have to perform and look great. It takes a great strength from the inside to make it as a model, it can be isolating but the rewards are fantastic and it’s a career like no other. Another difficult aspect for a model to conquer is to not compare themselves, as in life, everyone is different. Some days they will win and others they’ll lose, but it’s their attitude that gets them through to the next stage. If they didn’t have the potential, we wouldn’t have signed them – so it’s essential they believe in themselves.
Is there certain food diets a model should stick to become a model?
There is no set ‘model diet’ and I’m not going to start preaching nutrition. Everyone knows what they should be doing to keep fit and healthy and models must maintain this discipline if they want to succeed. Regardless of being blessed by good looks, an all round healthy appearance of vitality is a necessity for a model and this comes from the inside; the foods they eat and what keeps them fit. Shooting a whole host of poses for a full day, remaining upbeat, on your feet in front of the camera and often under hot lights let alone pressure requires stamina. A models body needs to be honed, toned, smooth and hydrated with plenty of water, and ready to be on show at any time.
What are the personal ingredients of a successful model to work with?
Integrity, energy, loyalty, intelligence and tenacity.
Linda Evangelista famously quotes “we dont get out of bed for less than £10000 pounds, are there Divas like this with Boss Models?
No no no because divas don’t get rebooked and we don’t want a bad name, so we knock this out of them from the start, and if somebody looked like a diva we probably wouldn’t scout them! All of our models spend days and weeks with us, in and out of model workshops in the first instance, and one of the main points we stress is for them to be courteous and respectful to others at all times. A pleasant personality is fundamental.
What would you advise a person to do reading this do if they wish to pursue a modeling career?
Submit a handful of clear, natural images taken at home to info@bossmodels.co.uk so we can assess the talent!
www.bossmodelmanagement.co.uk
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