The Business Of Modelling

Sophie Hughes is a curve model and content creator whose work spans commercial fashion, beauty, lifestyle and e-commerce. Her online presence is built on honesty - from showing her real body and scars to speaking openly about her surgery, recovery and the physical changes that followed. She discusses building a sustainable modelling career, navigating sizing pressures, and the day-to-day realities...

Hollie Lacayo is a London-based fashion stylist and writer whose work spans editorial, commercial, music and red-carpet styling. Her portfolio includes campaigns for Hackett, AllSaints and M&S, along with features in Vogue and 1883 Magazine. In this episode, she talks about what the job actually involves, the pace of freelance life and the parts of styling people rarely see. As Chair of BECTU’...

Steven Michael-O’Hara is the Founder and CEO of Genesis Model Management, an editorial agency built around professionalism, trust and a clear understanding of what talent and clients need.  He speaks about why he launched the agency, how the name Genesis reflects a fresh start and a new way of working, and the standards he believes the industry should be holding itself to. Steven al...

Based in Sheffield, Zoe Proctor and Laura Winson are the co-founders and directors of ZBD Talent, one of the UK's most forward-thinking model and talent agencies. Representing people with disabilities, visual differences and neurodivergence. They also work with global brands including Nike, Vogue & Gucci. They discuss how they started up the agency together and the shift from tokenism to true...

Based in Berlin, Nina Houwer is co-founder and casting director of Troeber Casting, one of Germany’s most respected agencies. With a job list spanning campaigns for Zalando, Hugo Boss, Adidas and Mercedes-Benz, Nina works closely with global brands and creative teams to find talent who bring authenticity and individuality to screen.  In this episode, Nina discusses what ma...

Bree Colter is a fashion and beauty model represented by Freedom Models LA. She has worked with brands including Fenty Beauty, Urban Decay, NYX, Maybelline and Nike, and walked for LaQuan Smith and VFiles at New York Fashion Week.  In this episode, Bree talks about developing confidence through experience, navigating social media, and the importance of professionalism and communication on set...

Ingo Nolden, founder of Iconic Management in Berlin, has built one of Europe's most internationally renowned model agencies, representing global talent and refining the image of modern modelling in Germany. Starting out with early catalogue roots so its rise as an e-commerce and creative powerhouse, Ingo has been at the centre of an industry in constant transformation. Ingo reflects on the evoluti...

Gerry Cott, founder of A-Z Animals and former guitarist with the chart-topping band The Boomtown Rats, has forged a career that bridges creativity, discipline and compassion. After years performing on global tours, he turned his focus to training animals for film, TV and advertising and building one of the UK's most respected animal talent agencies. In this episode, Gerry reflects on his journey f...

Michael Gross is a renowned journalist and bestselling author whose storytelling has transformed how the world views the modelling industry. Known to us for his landmark book Model: The Ugly Business of Beautiful Women, he revealed the real stories behind the rise of the supermodel, the power, the glamour, and the hidden truths beneath it all.  In this episode, Michael reflects on his journey...

With over 18 years' experience, Poppy France has worked across fashion, advertising, TV and celebrity campaigns, building her reputation for her clean, conscious approach to makeup. Assisting photographers in her early days to collaborating with global brands and magazines, she has always championed sustainable and cruelty-free beauty.   Poppy shares her journey and the inspiration behind cre...

Cindi Blair has produced campaigns for some of the biggest names in fashion, from Sports Illustrated and J.Crew to Jimmy Choo and Brooks Brothers. Based in New York with projects that take her across the world, she's known for turning ambitious ideas into reality and managing every detail of large-scale shoots. In this episode, Cindi talks about the pressures and problem-solving that comes with ma...

From the runways of Milan, Paris, LA and New York to building businesses in fashion design and real estate, Keni Silva has lived a career full of change and reinvention. She started modelling as a teenager, worked with top creatives, and later turned her focus to design, property, and charity work helping children with cancer.  In this episode, Keni opens up about the lessons modelling taught...

In this second part of the conversation, Cameron-James Wilson explores how artificial intelligence is transforming the creative industries. Building on his experience creating Shudu, the first digital supermodel, and founding his agency, The Diigitals, he discusses the rise of AI-generated models, the difference between 3D and AI, and what these tools mean for fashion, e-commerce and beyond. ...

Cameron-James Wilson began his career as a fashion photographer after studying at Arts University Bournemouth, moving to London at just 20 and working with brands including Garrard, Fabergé, and Gossard, as well as models such as Gigi Hadid and Leomie Anderson.  His journey took a turn when he created Shudu, the world’s first digital supermodel, which went viral after being reposted by Fenty...

Reece Richards began his career in musical theatre after training at the London Studio Centre, touring in productions such as Hairspray and Motown. His work has since spanned both stage and screen, with roles in Netflix hits Sex Education and You, as well as campaigns for brands including BMW, JD Sports, Cuisinart and Not on the High Street.  In this episode, Reece reflects on his journey as...

Walking the runways of Milan and Paris, shooting TVCs in Thailand, and building a thriving career in Dubai, Paula Rodrigues’ story is one of resilience, adaptability and self-belief. She has worked with global fashion houses and local brands alike, carving out a space in one of the industry’s fastest-growing markets.  In this episode, Paula talks about resilience in the face of rejection, nav...

Francine Champagne is President of Vision Los Angeles and a leading force in modern model management. Her career began in New Orleans as a model, but it wasn’t long before she discovered her true passion behind the scenes - scouting talent, developing careers, and shaping the future of the industry. After stints as a model in Japan, Paris and New York, she began her career agency-side at Elite Los...

Natasha Hatherall and Polly Williams have created one of the Middle East’s most respected marketing agencies, which is known for their fresh approach to beauty, wellness and lifestyle campaigns. They speak about authentic storytelling, purposeful partnerships and a more thoughtful way of doing influencer marketing.  This week, Tessa talks to the duo about building a female-led business and di...

Peter Yates didn’t grow up dreaming of magazines or photo shoots, but after a move from rural Australia to New York, via Toronto, he found himself shaping the image for some of the world’s most iconic brands. From music packaging and live concert promos to leading worldwide creative at Condé Nast and Hearst, Peter has built a fascinating career behind the scenes.  In this week’s episode, Tess...

Pirjo’s modelling career started in the 1970’s in Sweden, when her sister encouraged her to embrace her height and to apply to a modelling school in Stockholm. She then went on to model in Paris, New York, Tokyo, and finally settled in London.  In this week’s episode, Pirjo joins Tessa to speak about the multiple lessons she has learned from working in the industry for decades. Back when you...

Malissa Young started as a fit model in the 90s, working just 5 hours a week while making more than her friends in full-time jobs. Those early days of knocking on random agency doors in Times Square to building Bicoastal Management from her kitchen table, she's created a powerhouse agency representing talent for Marc Jacobs, Coach, Theory, and Victoria's Secret.  In this episode of The Busine...

Alexandra Venison began her career at a modelling agency in Dubai before moving into fashion journalism. She worked at Emirates Woman and Viva Magazine , later becoming Online Editor at Harper’s Bazaar Arabia and Beauty Editor at Vogue Arabia .  In this episode of The Business of Modelling , Alexandra joins Tessa to talk about her journey through fashion media, her experiences interviewing gl...

In this episode of The Business of Modelling, Tessa is joined by Kirin Dejonckheere, an international model turned certified life coach, about transforming industry pressures into personal power and why mental health, authenticity and self-worth are revolutionising how we define success in modelling.  With a decade-long career, she brings a raw perspective to the realities behind the glamour....

This week, Tessa is joined by Tamsyn Morgans, who started her career in modelling and now is a photographer and stylist. From her start in Manchester's vibrant '90s commercial scene to her current work capturing vintage interiors for magazines like Period Living and Homes & Antiques, Tamsyn's story showcases fearless reinvention.  We explore her journey into a photographer in her early 40...

In this week’s episode, Tessa is joined by Anita Nayyar, Founder & CEO of ANT Management in Dubai. She transformed her personal modelling struggles into an entrepreneurial success and why treating talent like family is an important agency essential in the Middle East.  With experience walking for Christian Siriano, Badgley Mischka and international fashion weeks, she brings firsthand unde...