The model makers
WITH Ireland’s girl of the moment, Georgia Salpa, currently looking abroad to further her career, the hunt is on for the Irish ‘It’ model of 2012.
But it takes more than just good looks to become the next Georgia or Gisele, according to industry experts.
“When I started out 14 years ago, there weren’t that many models here,” says former model Andrea Roche, who runs her own modelling agency in Dublin. “Nowadays, everybody wants to be a model — and with TV shows like Britain and Ireland’s Next Top Model and The Model Scouts, there’s never been a better time to be spotted. I’m always on the lookout for new and interesting faces.”
“However, while it’s important to look good, it’s more important to have an attractive personality,” she says. “Relatively speaking, the modelling industry in Ireland is still very small — and there’s no such thing as a Kate Moss who’s going to get booked irrespective of what she does in her private life.”
“A model is only as good as their last job — so my advice is to turn up on time and smile.”
Still think you could be Ireland’s next top model? Meet the top model makers you’ll have to impress first...
“We’ve chased girls down the road to sign them”
Trish Fallon, 1st Option Model Agency: “In the 15 years since 1st Option was founded, the modelling industry has changed so much. Social networking has created a new way of finding talent — or it finding us. Nowadays, so many girls want to become models — and sometimes you have to deliver a few harsh home truths. Some girls are born to be models. Look at Rosie Huntington-Whitely — she has a classic beauty, oozes sex appeal and clothes hang amazingly on her. Unfortunately, others, though gorgeous, don’t have what it takes to be a model. It’s hard to describe this ‘X factor’ — but when you see it, it sends shivers down your spine. We’ve been known to chase girls down the road to sign them up! The first thing our bookers notice is height, as we’re looking for editorial girls who can work internationally. Three of our most in-demand models are Naoise Tan, Maria Boardman and Rochelle McIntyre, who are attracting huge interest from London, Paris and New York. As a booker, it’s my responsibility to make sure our models get noticed by clients. The rest is up to them.”
“Models don’t get paid for their opinion”
Lili Forberg, fashion photographer: “Modelling is all about confidence. A girl can have the most amazing body, but if she’s not comfortable in her own skin it shows on film.
In this industry, being a poser is a good thing. Recently, I shot a gorgeous girl with huge potential — but who felt silly posing. As a photographer, it was incredibly frustrating — if only she had the confidence to ‘work it’, the shots would have been spectacular.
Conversely, when I shot newcomer Siobhan McManus a few weeks ago, she instinctively knew how to move even though it was her first shoot.
That’s the key. The greatest models never look like they’re modelling — even though it’s hard work looking natural! Thalia Heffernan and Danielle Winckworth at Morgan The Agency are my other ‘ones to watch’ for 2012. On America’s Next Top Model, there are always tears and tantrums — but if an Irish model acted like that, she wouldn’t last very long. Models don’t get paid for their opinion — it’s irrelevant whether she likes the clothes, hair or make-up. Fashion editors, stylists and photographers gossip among themselves. All we talk about is models and who to book — or not to book — next. If I could photograph anyone on the planet it would be Rosie Huntington-Whitely or Abbey Lee Kershaw.”
Roxanne Parker, Social & Personal Fashion Editor and Stylist (below): “Bleach-blonde hair, a sparkly dress and fake tan might turn heads in a nightclub — but it’s not fashion. Unfortunately, in Ireland, a lot of agencies have a very clichéd view of what is beautiful — signing hundreds of pretty girls who’ll never do anything more than hand out fliers in a bikini instead of searching for real talent. Some of the best models in the world wouldn’t even get a second glance from men on the street. But when you put them in front of a camera with their hair and make-up done, they come alive. It’s that chameleon gene that makes a supermodel — Linda Evangelista and [Irish model] Grace Connell have it. As a stylist, I need to look at a girl’s face and feel inspired to build a story around her through fashion. More importantly, she has to have a good attitude. I’ve worked with Irish models who had the potential to go global, but were an absolute nightmare on set. There have been times when I’ve had to step in to stop the photographer from throttling the model. If I have a bad experience with a model, I simply don’t book her again — and trust me, word quickly gets around if someone is a diva. On the other hand, when the next big thing emerges, it’s really exciting to be involved in her career from the beginning. Recently, a 16-year-old Assets model called Siobhán McManus walked into my office and I booked her on the spot.”
’Bikini’ Georgia could make €1,500
Supermodel Linda Evangelista once declared that she wouldn’t get out of bed for less than $10,000 – so how much are Ireland’s top models willing to wake up for?
Greek goddess Georgia Salpa will set you back a pretty penny, according to one PR mole.
“Last year we booked Georgia for a job and it was €300,” says our source. “Now that she has an agent in the UK, you’re looking at €600 for a one-hour photocall in clothes or €1,500 in a bikini — and even more to attend a launch. A top model could technically do a few of those gigs a day.”
“A regular press call girl gets between €150-€250 per hour,” adds another fashion insider. “But someone like Rosanna Davison or Sarah Morrissey gets more than twice that — between €500-€600 per hour. For a full-day magazine shoot, the rate is anywhere between €200-€500 depending on the model. And the agency typically takes around a 20% cut.”
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