The Business Of Modelling

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 evolution of the German market, the shift from traditional campaigns to digital-first storytelling, and the enduring importance of personal management in an age of AI and virtual models. He shares his perspective on the future...

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 from rock musician to animal trainer, exploring the parallels between performance and animal behaviour. He shares the unseen preparation behind on-set perfection, how animal welfare and evolved over four decades, and the role...

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 from rock and roll journalist to one of fashion’s most respected voices. He shares the moment photographer Richard Avedon inspired him to write his groundbreaking book, his candid thoughts on Eileen For...

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 creating her own organic facial oils, and how practices like yoga, meditation and facial massage shape her work. She also reflects on the changes she’s seen in the beauty industry, from diversity to the growing demand for ethical products and why...

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 major productions, leading teams on set, and working with brands at the highest level. She also reflects on why diversity, sustainability and authenticity matter more than ever in her work.

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 her - resilience, confidence, and how to take rejection in your stride - as well as the challenges of starting over, raising grounded kids, and creating a life that reflects y...

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 shares his views on ownership, transparency and ethics, as well as the opportunities and risks AI brings to both brands and models. From sustainability and representation to digital twins and the future of work, he offers a candid l...

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 Beauty. From there, Cameron went on to found The Diigitals, the first all-digital model agency, collaborating with global names such as Balmain, Louis Vuitton, Samsung and Mercedes. 

In this episode, Camer...

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 a performer, from the excitement of live theatre to the realities of working on film and television sets. He also opens up about the incident that led to his w...

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, navigating the pressures of the European market, and why she values the diversity and opportunity she’s found in Dubai. She also shares the importance of financial education, the lessons she learned during Covid...

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 Angeles, where she played a key role in launching the careers of future stars like Cameron Diaz. 

In this episode, Francine shares how she co-founded Champagne Tro...

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 discusses how the influencer space has evolved, why authenticity always wins, and the common pitfalls brands face when entering the Middle Eastern market. 

Natasha and Polly share what’s shaped them as leaders, the highs...

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, Tessa sits down with Peter to talk about the real work of storytelling through design - what makes a brand timeless, how to lead teams across 60+ countries, and why...

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 had to call in at payphone and when she worked with Princess Diana, and how discipline, politeness and showing up prepared, still matters. 

She re...

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 Business of Modelling, Malissa joins Tessa to discuss her unconventional path from pageant contestant to agency owner, the wild west of 90s modelling, and her philosophy of championing diversity and real people i...

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 global celebrities, and the growing overlap between beauty and wellness. 

Now based in Dubai, Alexandra runs Genie & Co., a consultancy offering content creation and copywriting, and is the co-founder of  Beautilist, a new e...

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. We explore her evolution from struggling with industry expectations at 15 to becoming the mentor she needed herself - discussing the importance of trusted guidance, the art of saying no to protect your well-being, and why the most sustainable c...

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’s, her philosophy that being nice is the best career advice, and why the most authentic creative journeys are rarely linear. Tamsyn proves that passion and persistence can turn any challenge into opportunity. 

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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 understanding to talent representation. We discuss her challenges of building trust in this competitive market and why financial stability, genuine care and authentic relationships are the foundation of her agency.

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In this episode of The Business of Modelling, Tessa is joined by Alex Babahmadi, Head of PR & Brand Partnerships at Freedom Models LA, about how talent is changing in today’s fashion landscape – and why authenticity, kindness and long-term thinking are helping reshape the industry. 

With a career working for Elite, Premier & Amanda Wakeley and more. He brings a global perspective to talent management, from catwalks of London to brand campaigns in LA and the Middle East. We trace his journey from diplomatic dreams to fashion PR, discussing launching models in the spotlight and exploring why the m...

Producers With Purpose: Rewriting the Rules of Sustainable Production

In this episode of The Business of Modelling, Tessa Dewing sits down with Camilla Sørenson, co-founder of Perma Collective, to talk about redefining production through a sustainability lens.

With over 15 years of industry experience, Camilla has produced global campaigns for brands like Google, Harley-Davidson, and KPMG. Now, she's part of a new wave of producers bringing low-impact, high-ethics thinking into every aspect of creative production. We discuss her journey from ad agency receptionist to B Corp-certified business owner, and what it takes to r...

Late Nights, Big Sets, and Even Bigger Vision: What It Really Takes to Run a 300-Person Shoot.

In this episode of The Business of Modelling, host Tessa Dewing travels to Dubai to meet Ishani Pawar, Managing Partner of Magnet Connect — one of the UAE’s leading production companies. From her early days modelling in India to becoming a powerhouse producer and female CEO in a traditionally male-dominated environment, Ishani shares a story of reinvention, resilience, and creative leadership.

We explore how Dubai’s production industry has evolved, why international brands are flocking to the Mi...

Behind the Bookings: Building Careers, Navigating Chaos, and Championing Change

In this episode, Tessa meets Sophie Tataryn – senior model booker at The Hive and one of the sharpest commercial minds in the modelling industry. With a career spanning top agencies, Sophie knows exactly what it takes to build a model’s career from first test to international campaign.

From negotiating usage rights to handling last-minute no-shows and six-figure bookings, Sophie shares what really goes on behind the scenes of the booking process. She discusses the evolution of diversity, the power of saying no to b...

From Stockbroker to Storyteller: Reclaiming Identity and Redefining Representation

In this episode, Tessa meets Saaj Raja – a former stockbroker turned multi-hyphenate performer, writer and choreographer whose journey spans Bollywood stages, BBC radio, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Known for blending art with identity, Saaj isn’t just chasing roles – he’s reclaiming space as a British South Asian creative.

From navigating cultural expectations to finding his voice on stage, Saaj shares how he left corporate life behind and stepped into storytelling with purpose. He discusses the weight of representation, the value of mentorship, and why...

From Campaigns to Character: Humanising the Industry One Shot at a Time

In this episode, Tessa meets Sane Seven - the award-winning photographer behind some of the most striking portraits in fashion and business. Known for challenging industry norms and reframing representation through photography, Sane isn’t just capturing faces, but telling stories with purpose.

From photographing CEOs and campaign stars to co-authoring a book on leadership, Sane shares how she went from outsider perspectives to insider impact. She discusses the importance of empathy in image-making, how photography can shift power dynamics, and wh...

Redefining Representation: From Top Agent to Model Mentor.

Greg Chan's career is anything but conventional, from top New York agencies to TikTok advice and beach cleanups, in this episode, Tessa meets the former DNA and Wilhelmina agent who helped shape the modern men’s modelling market, and is now using that experience to empower new talent through Ask a Model Agent and The Supermodel Project.

Greg shares his path from scouting in California to leading divisions at some of the most prestigious agencies in the world. He opens up about burnout, ego, and le...

The Power of Influence: How Brands and Creators Connect in the Digital Age

In this insightful episode, Chrissy Mangan - Dublin-born influencer marketing specialist, shares her journey from studying law to leading in one of the fastest-growing sectors in fashion and media.

Chrissy demystifies the influencer landscape, breaking down the differences between nano to mega influencers, and offers practical advice on building personal brands, securing brand deals, and maintaining authenticity online.

She explores the future of digital marketing, from AI influencers to unfiltered content, and explains why trust and storytelling...

From Model to Agency Leader: Championing Diversity and Changing the Face of Modelling

In this interesting conversation, Anna Shillinglaw, former model and founder of Milk Management, shares her journey from the catwalk to launching one of the UK’s most progressive modelling agencies. She opens up about navigating the industry's rigid beauty standards, her experience as a curve model in the ‘90s, and the early challenges of championing diversity in fashion.

Anna reflects on growing up between cultures, building Milk from her spare bedroom, and expanding it into a full creative collective. With hone...

From Catwalks to Clinics: Redefining Success, Championing Mental Health and Rewriting the Rules of Beauty

In this week's conversation, Sarah Ann Macklin, international model turned nutritionist and founder of the Be Well Collective, shares her remarkable journey from the runways of Vogue and Burberry to advocating for mental health and wellbeing in the fashion industry.

She opens up about navigating fame at a young age, the pressures of perfection, and the severe health crisis that changed the course of her life. Sarah reflects on the realities behind the glamour, her discovery of being...

Behind The Supermodels: Shaping Fashion, Revolutionising the Model Industry and Defining an Era

In this candid conversation, Carole White, CEO & Founder of Premier Model Management, London, offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at the fashion industry. She shares her journey from an unconventional childhood in Ghana to becoming one of the most influential figures in modelling. Carole recounts the founding of Premier, her role in shaping the careers of supermodels like Naomi Campbell and Claudia Schiffer, and the glamour and chaos of the '90s supermodel era. She also discusses the evolution of London Fashion Week, the...

The Business of Modelling is a podcast that pulls back the curtain on one of the world’s most misunderstood industries. Hosted by Tessa Dewing — Managing Director of leading UK commercial agency Sandra Reynolds — the show explores what really goes on behind the images we see on billboards, in magazines, and across our screens.

In each episode, Tessa sits down with models, creatives, agents, and entrepreneurs to uncover the stories, strategies, and surprising truths behind modelling — from castings and campaigns to brand deals and big decisions.

Whether you’re an industry insider, aspiring model, or...