Take 2 Model ManagementTake 2 model management is globally acknowledged to be one of the top three or four model agencies in Britain. As one of the UK's leading model agencies, established for 25 years, Take 2 prides on finding and developing some of the most exciting models in fashion, and some of its big names include topmodels Esther Canadas, Jacquetta Wheeler, Jasmine Guinness, Lisa Cant, Hye Park and Eugenia Volodina. Their large array of clients includes Vogue and world famous fashion brands such as Gucci and Topshop.Gabriella Palmano describes her tenure as the agency owner and director. Author: Jonathan.L - owner Models Observer August 2007 | |
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* Gabriella, please tell me about your background. How did you decide to found Take 2 model management back then in 1982?
Gabriella Palmano: Long story! I left school at 17 with a burning ambition to get into the fashion industry so took as my first job receptionist at a model agency called Peter Benison. It was past it's 1970's hay day by then - the only big model they had was Kelly Le Brock. I worked my way up the ranks, found I loved being a model agent and a couple of years later was running the mens division single - handledy and through my street and club contacts opened a small "youth culture" division within the agency, representing, amongst others, Boy George and Marilyn before they were stars. Shortly after Melissa Richardson joined the business on the womens board our boss went on holiday to Australia and still hadn't returned 6 months later. We realised things were going seriously wrong when the LEB came to turn the electricity off and the agency accountant informed us that the bank account had been frozen. Neither us or the models were being paid - it was time to move on. With the bravado of youth (19 & 26 respectively) we decided to open our own model agency and were very kindly loaned £ 30,000 by Melissa's father - Sir Michael Richardson To do so. I guess we'd always planned on having our own agency one day but didn't anticipate that circumstances would force the decision on us so soon. * Define, in general terms, the strategy of your business. |
 Gabriella Palmano.  Spanish supermodel Esther Canadas, Take 2 diamond. |
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Gabriella Palmano: Our business strategy is to provide the most efficient and
friendly service possible to our clients. And to maximise the
potential of all our models, both in terms of their careers and
their personal development as people. To make as much money for the
our models and the business as possible without compromising our
morals or ethics.
* How were the early days of your agency? Gabriella Palmano: Retrosepctively I am surprised by how quickly and relatively easily the agency took off. That very first week of opening we had prospective models knocking on the door wanting to join. We achieved bookings for Harpers and Queen and Vogue fairly early on. Yes, we worked hard, but we were very green and learnt as we went along. I don't think it would be possible to open an agency successfully today knowing as little as we did then. * What are Take 2 model management greatest strengths today? Gabriella Palmano: The development and management of our models. Our extensive client list and enthusiastic and energetic booking team. The fact that we are still here after 25 years when so many other agencies have been and gone ! * Describe a typical day at your job. Gabriella Palmano: There is no such thing as a typical day. But here are some of examples of what my job entails ( in no particular order ) : Interviewing the shortlisted best of the prospective models that come through our door every morning. Calling who are holding options on our models, to see if the job is confirmed or released. If the job is confirmed, putting all the information in the computer and sending the client for signature a contract specifying exact fees and usage. Dealing with calls or e mails from clients who have jobs coming us soon and need suggestions of models who could be available then. Finding out the brief to best fit the cleints requirements and either sending cards or arranging a casting. Communicating with models as to their lives and careers. Liasing with our lawyers when negotiating a particularly big contract. Advising the booking team if necessary on the options and jobs they are working on. Delegating to my asistant general management of our building. Meeting with my fellow directors and our accountant to discuss our monthly figures / bad debts if any / models accounts. Meetings with my fellow directors and booking team to discuss general agency policy / particular problems with individual models. * Scouting a new model and developing her is a risky process with the amount of investment required, as not every one is a success story as Esther Canadas. How do you handle the uncertainty involved? Gabriella Palmano: There is no sure way to ensure that the agency's investments on new faces will be fruitful. Naturally whenever we take a girl on we do so with the expectation that she could do well but often it doesn't turn out that way. Sometimes clients just don't pick up on her as we anticipated. There are also so many other factors that can go wrong and lead to her giving up; homesickness, a jealous boyfriend; finding out that modelling is not the experience she was expecting.... Obviously we watch expenditure like a hawk and try to learn by our mistakes but I don't think it's possible to make hard and fast rules - every individual and each situation is different. When it doesn't work out on someone all one can do is move on - disappointment is as much of our daily diet as great excitement. * Which main differences do you find between the modeling industry in the UK and those in France and Italy? Gabriella Palmano: Paris and Milan have a huge advantage in that they have major clients there that the UK just doen't have - there is no equivalent here to say Dior or Gucci. French clients are incredibly loyal to French agencies and generally speaking have a hard and fast rule that they will only book models through their French agent. For example it is a law of the land that models must be booked through their French agency (if they have one) when working for a fashion show - there are even government representatives backstage at the shows doing spot checks ensuring the papers are in order. I only wish that the UK clients were as loyal to all of us english agencies! That said, I think that agents in London are generally speaking much more caring about their girls and less ruthless than their European counterparts. Especially compared to Milan. Probably because there are so few indigenous Italian or French models so by definition most of their models are itinerant and therefore the agent / model have less time or chance of bonding. * Do you have any favorite motto or quotation? Gabriella Palmano: Who Cares Wins. As per the Harland Miller painting in our reception - see our website for the visual. * What challenges do you think that you will face in the future? Gabriella Palmano: The usual - endeavouring to constantly improve upon our business in an increasingly competitive world. | |