An interview with Ian Warren, FBC member and managing partner of Sapphires Model Management. Ian is also a prolific writer and will be the guest FBC Blog editor for the July 29 Edward Enninful/Michael Herz meeting.
How did you come to run your own modeling agency?
I come from an online retail background and my career moves have always been in the fashion industry. I knew Neely Reyes (the founder of Sapphires) from university and we spoke extensively about her idea to open an ethical boutique agency. Our skill sets seemed to uncannily mesh; the areas where Neely would need help were my strengths and vice versa. We decided to put our heads together and Sapphires Model Management was born! Five years on and we’re very proud of the agency. We’ve managed to work with Selfridges, House of Fraser, Umberto Giannini, Uniqlo with FBC board member Daisy de Villeneuve, the Drapers/WGSN Fashion Summit 2009 with FBC member Lauretta Roberts, and Harvey Nichols with FBC member Anne Look. We’ve just opened a London office, which we’ll be celebrating next week at the Sanderson, and we have some exciting projects up our sleeve, so stay tuned for more details.
What did you do before Sapphires?
I was the website manager for a big high street retailer that is no longer with us (although I maintain I had nothing to do with it’s downfall!). Although the work was enjoyable, the job was very restrictive. Saying that though, I learned a lot and at the very least I have a story about the spectacular collapse of a fashion brand that will make a great novel someday!
What is a typical day like for a partner of a modeling agency?
Most of the day is spent meeting clients and models, interpreting briefs and organising castings and bookings. We also spend time planning shoots for our models. We are still very hands on at the agency so we spend a lot of time thinking about PR projects with the lovely Courtney Blackman, Co-Founder & Co-Chairman of FBC who is actually our PR. Finally, we always take the time out to make the occasional tweet or status update!
How does being part of FBC have a positive affect on your business?
FBC is a great networking tool and really has helped to expand our business. An FBC membership is like having the best contact book at your fingertips. We’ve referred some really good work to our fellow members and it’s great to be part of something so highly regarded within the industry!
Say hello to Ian on the 29th of July at Swarovski CRYSTALLIZED™ when FBC member and creative director of Bally, Michael Herz interviews superstar stylist and creative director, Edward Enninful. For details: membership@fashionbusinessclub.net or press@fashionbusinessclub.net
