The Business Of Modelling

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 Eur...

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 ro...

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...

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 a...

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 w...

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 T...

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 o...

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 s...

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 ni...

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 representati...

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 ...

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 pro...

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...

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...

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 navigatin...

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 b...

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 scout...

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 person...

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 champ...