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.

Fresh off of the inspirational words of FBC guest interviewee, Edward Enninful at  Swarovski CRYSTALLIZED™, FBC members Bunty Stokes, UK sales manager of Vente-Privee, Courtney Blackman, FBC co-founder & co-chairman, Neely Reyes, managing partner of Sapphires Model Managment, Rebekeh Roy, fashion stylist & FBC Blog Editor, Sam Fearn, MD of Fearnhurst PR & founder of Fashion Press Week, Frances Card, merchandise manager, Matches, Mark Bage, creative director of Coggles, Victoria Todd, editor of Fashion Monitor and myself all made our way to One Marlyebone to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Drapers Awards.

FBC members Anne Look, Courtney Blackman, Neely Reyes & Rebekah Roy with Joseph Wan

We were greeted in style by waiters and waitresses wearing pink ties and pink and white fedoras. Swirling pink lights ran up and down the surrounding walls and stained glass windows below high-arched ceilings made it the perfect venue to honour one of Britain’s best-loved fashion industry events.

Where there is business, there is FBC, and we mingled and chatted with industry giants. FBC member Bunty Stokes gave a speech on behalf of Vente-Privee, who sponsored the evening, and Neely Reyes got some helpful business tips from Harvey Nichols CEO, Joseph Wan.

The deadline for entries for the Drapers Awards is August 5th. Details can be found on the Drapers website, and the winners will be announced at a ceremony on November 17th.

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!

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

FBC member Neely Reyes Founder and owner of Sapphires Model Management alongside fellow FBC member Lee Lapthorne of ON/Off, are judges for the Internet search engine Ask Jeeves.

They are looking for talent  to create even more wardrobe options for iconic butler, Jeeves.

Jeeves is traditionally known for his suited attire, but in the run up to London Fashion Week Ask Jeeves and Nolcha fashion business services are asking all budding designers to send in their ideas for a new fashion forward look for their brand ambassador.

The winning design will be modelled by Jeeves on the Ask Jeeves homepage and supported by a theme design which will be added to the Ask Jeeves theme gallery.

The judging panel will look at all the entries sent in and select four finalists, with Ask Jeeves users selecting the final winning design.

Neely says: “I‘m excited to be judging the Dress Jeeves competition. The UK is filled with design talent and Jeeves makes the perfect model! I can’t wait to see what the entrants envision for the iconic British character.”

The competition launches on 10th February and runs to the 28th of February. For more information visit at www.uk.ask.com/dressjeeves from 10th February 2010.

Daisy de Villenueve for Uniqlo (top right)

Jil Sander is not the only one making waves at Uniqlo.  FBC’s own board member, Daisy de Villeneuve is causing her own commotion. The designer, illustrator and author is now a face for Uniqlo’s global 2009 Winter Fleece campaign.

The campaign features talented, young creatives from around the world, and Daisy stands (holding one of her iconic illustrations) alongside celebrities from Asia and America including Damian Kulash, the lead singer of L.A.-based indie band, OK Go. Daisy is the only British icon featured in the campaign – a giant coup. “I’ve always been a huge fan of Uniqlo, so was excited to be asked to be in their campaign.”

Daisy in the window of Uniqlo in London

How did Daisy get the job? It was secured by FBC members Ian Warren and Neely Reyes of of emerging London-based agency, Sapphires Model Management. “It was a pleasure working with Daisy,” says Neely. “The job was negotiated between L.A., London, and Tokyo, so there were a few late nights involved! Thankfully Daisy was professional and accommodating; I wish all the people I worked with had Daisy’s work ethic as it would make our lives a lot easier!  We really look forward to working with her again!”

…and they will be. Daisy recently signed to Sapphires Model Management’s ’special bookings’ division, which seeks to sign talented individuals within the creative arts for work beyond traditional modelling campaigns.

That’s one of the best FBC success stories yet.  Congratulations, Daisy, Neely and Ian!

Courtney Blackman Co-Founder & Co-Chairman