Fashion Business Club

Sammy & Marcelo at Sapphires Model Management

FBC members and managing partners of Sapphires Model Management, Ian Warren and Neely Reyes are holding a London Fashion Week model scouting competition. Have you ever fancied being a scout for a day?

Model scouts are some of the most important people in fashion and are always on the hunt for the next big face to grace the catwalk and magazines. For a model scout even a trip to the supermarket can turn into a successful days work and many of the biggest names in the modeling industry have been spotted simply shopping or wandering down the street!

To be a good model scout you need to be chatty and confident with a good sense for fashion and an eye for timeless beauty.  As you can imagine, you will be approaching gorgeous boys and girls with what might sound like a strange request so it’s important that you are friendly and well presented!

To enter the Sapphires Model Management Scouting Competition, in 250 words, tell Sapphires Model Management what makes you the perfect budding model scout. The most creative answers will be posted on the Sapphires website and the winner will get to spend a day during London Fashion Week learning what it takes with the Sapphires team.

Entries should be sent in to: contact@sapphiresmodel.com

Good Luck!

FBC members were invited to an afternoon tea and vintage shopping event by FBC member Rachael Sardelich, fashion and beauty director of the Sanderson and St. Martins Lane hotels. Sapphires’ Neely Reyes, Fiona of Morgans Hotels, FBC co-founder Courtney Blackman and Ian Warren of  Sapphires Model Management.

Emma, Rachel & Estella from Mathew Williamson (CEO Joseph Velosa is an FBC member).

Rachael Sardelich with stylist and FBC Blog editor Rebekah Roy enjoying the handbags!

Also in attendance were FBC members Anne Look, fashion stylist and Amishi Dhanuka of Amishi/Blue Lotus.

Never let it be said that FBC isn’t ultra-glam – as FBC members walked into Swarovski CRYSTALLIZED™ for the Edward Enninful meeting, they were confronted by a large group of paparazzi!  We later learned that they were there to snap a certain supermodel tipped to be in the audience…

Meeting supermodels was certainly not on the agenda.  We were without question in attendance to hear the talented Edward Enninful take his turn in the FBC hot seat.

Michael Herz & Edward Enninful

FBC’s very own Magnús Magnússon for the afternoon was longtime Fashion Business Club member and creative director of womenswear at Bally, Michael Herz, who conducted the interview as the duo talked about Edward’s road to international success.

FBC co-founders Alison Whelan & Courtney Blackman with Edward Enninful & Michael Herz

Starting out from humble beginnings in west London, Edward has gone from a working as a teenage model for Pepe Jeans (!), to one of the world’s most in demand stylists. He’s styled countless commercials and catwalk shows, editorials with Italian, British and American Vogue and not to mention – of course – his role as the longest ever creative director of iconic fashion magazine i-D.

The path wasn’t easy for Edward.  His father had plans for his son to study law, so the news that Edward had decided to become a stylist wasn’t exactly met with open arms.  Luckily for Edward though, fortune came in the form of Terry Jones of i-D fame, who saw the spark of creative brilliance in the young 18-year-old and handed him the title of fashion editor at the magazine.  For the young lad from Ladbroke Grove it was certainly a culture shock; one minute he was styling shoots with his friends for fun and the next minute he found himself on a train bound for Paris to write the new season collection reports!

Success, of course, has its downside and Edward does confess that being away from home so many months a year and living in hotels can get him down, not to mention that being a stylist can be quite a lonely job.  Then again, he balances these downsides with the enviable fact that through his work he can “realise whatever’s on his mind,” something very few people in the world have the creative freedom to do.  For Edward, who has now “made it” in every sense, he is in the enviable position of being able to work exclusively with clients who inspire him, not to mention his soft spot for styling shows. “I always have a lot of fun at shows!”

For all budding stylists out there – and pretty much anyone in the creative industries for that matter -  hoping to one day attain the same success, Edward’s advice is simply, “Don’t give up.  It may take you ten years to make any money…but if you’re only in it to make money then you’re in the wrong career.”  As for developing one’s talents the answer is to, “Keep testing, testing, testing!  The more you style the better you get!”

Surprisingly for a man who has made his living styling pages of magazines, Edward is also a big advocate of the Internet.  “Everybody can be a star now,” he enthused quoting Andy Warhol. “The Internet allows more and more people to express their individuality.”  When quizzed whether or not he was happy about the Internet’s potential to replace magazines, he answered that, “everything that moves fashion on is great.” Wise words indeed!

Edward Enninful with FBC member and founder of Style News, Charlene Campbell

Edward has built a reputation for himself across the world as graceful and softly spoken with the ability to bring an air of elegance to anything he touches.  Listening to him speak it, becomes clear that his reputation is well deserved as he fielded questions from Michael and the audience.  He wasn’t even phased when FBC co-founder Alison Whelan, tongue firmly in cheek, asked him what his day rate was! “Ask my agent,” was his reply!

FBC board member Daisy de Villeneuve with stylist and fashion writer Marian Kihogo

So what of the man who has travelled across continents for photo shoots and worked in all of the world’s fashion capitals?  Isn’t he ever tempted to throw in the towel and leave our fair, albeit overcast, isle for the bright lights of the USA or the rolling sun drenched fields of Italy?  “London will always be home,” he confessed, “the things we learn about fashion in London can’t be learnt anywhere else, fashion is a real form of self-expression here.” Scanning a room full of FBC members, I’m inclined to say I agree!

Photos by: Venetia van Hoorn Alkema

Neely Reyes (centre) and Ian Warren (far right) with models and staff

FBC‘ers turned out in their fashion finery on Wednesday night as fellow members and managing partners of Sapphires Model Management hosted their London launch party in the Billiard Room of the Sanderson.

The event was packed thick with with the industry’s finest from Sapphires’ Neely Reyes and Ian Warren to models, fashion stylists and editors, film directors, designers and artists.

Daisy de Villeneve & Neely Reyes

Amongst the guests were FBC members: Rita Nazareno, FBC membership director & special projects manager of S.C. Vizcarra; Daisy de Villeneuve, FBC board member, illustrator, designer & writer; Courtney Blackman, FBC co-chair and MD of Forward PR; Giovanna Velasquez, founder & creative director of Magenta 8; Rebekah Roy, FBC blog edior, fashion stylist & creative director; Daniella Steadman, FBCtv’s new producer and executive producer of fashion & beauty at Love; Frances Card, merchandise manager at Matches & Drapers blogger; Sam Fearn, MD of Fearnhurst PR & founder of Fashion Press Week; Martyn Roberts & John Walford of Vauxhall Fashion Scout; myself, Anne Look, fashion stylist and blogger; and Rachael Sardelich, head of fashion & beauty at Morgans Hotels.

Rebekah Roy & John Walford

The two-hour event, commemorating the opening of Sapphires’ Soho office, spilled over into nearly five hours as guests chatted to background music mixed by internationally renowned DJ, Jeffrey Louis-Reed and sipped cocktails made from Aussie Spirits’ Vodka O & Kinky Rum, and Jameson Irish Whiskey.

Guests countered the cocktails with Mojito, chocolate-banana and coconut-lime cupcakes from Sweetie Darling’s (the Mojito cupcake was possibly the best). The VIP gift bags were overflowing with beauty products, drinks, sumptuous vouchers, a lovely handwritten scroll from Neely and Ian, and even clothes!

DJ Jeffrey Louis-Reed with Anne Look & Rachael Sardelich

Neely and Ian were delighted at the overwhelming turnout. “We’re very grateful to have the support of so many leading industry figures,” says Neely, “Sapphires’ move to Soho is a big step for the company and we can’t wait to see where this new adventure takes us.”

Congratulations, Neely & Ian!

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

When you’re hiring a model for shoot are you ever thinking about the ethics of the model agency you’re using?

A new proposal aimed at protecting talent in the modeling industry has been approved by the House of Lords and is steadily making its way towards becoming passed as a law.

The draft regulation will put a complete ban on charging up-front fees and will also extend the number of cooling-off days to 30 as opposed to 7 days. The modeling industry has been hit hard by a number of unscrupulous companies taking advantages of people on the street and charging them up-front fees and then not delivering employment opportunities.

This new regulation is welcomed by legitimate and reputable modeling agencies such as Sapphires Model Management.

Ian Warren,  FBC member and managing partner of Sapphires Model Management says, “Although it’s great news that we are now one step closer to seeing an outright ban on unscrupulous agencies charging models to join, there are still several tricks that people will try to pull to take money from impressionable would-be models. Sapphires’ advice is that no matter what anyone tells you, you do not need to spend any money before applying to an agency. A model agency is able to ascertain if you have potential from clear snapshots taken on a personal camera; you certainly do not need to shell out hundreds of pounds for a ‘modeling portfolio’. “

The regulations which will amend the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations of 2003, will be put before the House of Commons to be made law.

Ian adds, “Do your research on an agency before applying and with a little common sense it’s quite easy to judge which agencies are scams and which ones are respectable and sound.”

FBC members are invited to attend Indian Premier London Fashion Week from Monday the 10^th to Wednesday the 12^th of May.

FBC members Ian Warren and Neely Reyes, owners of Sapphires Model Management are providing 40 models for the event exclusively, and referred fellow FBC members Martyn Roberts and John Walford, directors of Vauxhall Fashion Scout for the production.

Neely says, “Sapphires are very excited to be providing models exclusively for this event and even more thrilled that Fashion Scout were secured to produce the event. India is a rapidly emerging fashion market and we are very glad to be part of such an important event to the country, and what will soon be the rest of the world. Fashion Scout is London’s biggest producer and we absolutely love working with John and Martyn.”

India’s top fashion designers will partake in 18 catwalk shows and 25 designer exhibitions over the 3 days. This is the first of what is planned to be a twice yearly event going forward.

FBC’s Martyn Roberts comments, “Fashion Scout is pleased to be producing Indian Premier London Fashion Week’s event. We are looking forward to seeing a selection of top Indian designers as modelled on fellow FBC members’ Sapphires Model Management.”

Elle India and Asian Woman magazine are media partners, MAC is supplying the kits and the makeup is being done by the London School of Media Makeup.

Monday 10 – Wednesday 12 May
Bloomsbury Ballroom
37 Bloomsbury Square, London WC1B 4DA

If you would like to attend, RSVP to Raksha:  raksha@iplfashionweek.com

FBC members, Neely Reyes and Ian Warren of  Sapphires Model Management’s have opened a new office in Soho just opposite Shaftesbury Avenue’s Gielgud Theatre on Rupert Street.

Sapphires Model Management has worked with and provided models for some of the biggest names in the industry: Selfridges, House of Fraser, Uniqlo, Fashion Summit 2009, a project with Harvey Nichols, Dougray Scott, Billy Boyd, and Adam Garcia, and a selection of large publication houses.

Sapphires focuses on new concept of modeling agency, highlighting ethical business practices and high-level customer service.

Says Neely:”Sapphires decision to move to London is in line with the business’ current growth and the perfect way to promote expansion.  Although we have had a presence in London for about a year, we feel now is the right time to make the move in full and we’re really excited about the new opportunities that being in the fashion capital of the world will bring!”

For more information visit http://www.sapphiresmodel.com

Models at Sapphires: Thea, Yulia & Beatrix

FBC members Neely Reyes and Ian Warren of Sapphires Model Management have been invited to the House of Commons in praise of their business success; they were the selected model agency for a catwalk show and celebrity portrait auction with Harvey Nichols; they’ve worked exclusively with Selfridges and the Fashion Summit 2009; they landed a global Uniqlo account placing one their high-profile models, FBC board member, Daisy de Villeneuve; and Neely was recently asked to judge a fashion design competition over London Fashion Week.

Neely Reyes & Ian Warren

Well, they are at it again and have been invited to be guest speakers in the Expert Studio at the Fashion Fusion Expo 2010. Ian says,”We’re really excited to explain to people how an ethical modelling agency works and how the fashion industry as a whole can benefit from an agency like Sapphires.”

They will be talking about how to become a model, ethics in the industry, what to avoid and watch out for when signing to an agency, and health and wellbeing of models. Neely adds, “We’re really pleased to be speaking in the Expert Studio at the Fashion Fusion Expo. As an ethical modelling agency we’re looking forward to talking to people about the reality of working in the industry, health and wellbeing, and how to avoid scams.”

Ian and Neely’s presentation is at 4:00pm on Friday the 12th of March at the Old Truman Brewery.

Tickets to the event are £10 and can be purchased through: www.fashionfusionexpo.co.uk

For details about Sapphires or to book models, please contact: 0844 844 5404 or contact@sapphiresmodels.com

Board member Daisy de Villeneuve’s books and notebooks are now on sale at the Ultralounge in Selfridges! Published by Pocko, Daisy’s hugely popular He Said, She Said features her cool and stylish felt-tip drawings coupled with typewritten, humourous observations about friendship and love.

Daisy studied fashion and fine art in New York and Paris, and received a B.F.A from Parsons School of Design. Referred to as London’s ‘Queen of Cool,’ Daisy’s art has featured in numerous fashion magazines, galleries, unique exhibitions, Topshop shoeboxes, clothing, housewares, Oyster cardholders in conjunction with the British Fashion Council, and most recently she has appeared in advertising campaigns for Gap Europe and for Uniqlo – a project that was secured by fellow FBC members Neely Reyes and Ian Warren of Sapphires Model Management.

Daisy in ads for Gap Europe and Uniqlo

Daisy will be at the next FBC meeting and is happy to sign FBC members’ copies of her books.

25 March, 3:00 – 4:30pm

Swarovski Crystallized Concept Store & Café

Harrods‘ fashion and beauty director Marigay McKee will be interviewed by FBC board member and editor of Vogue.com, Dolly Jones.

Membership enquiries: membership@fashionbusinessclub.net