Models.com

- Friday, 20 February 2009

Recently Richard Wheeler, Founder of Emperors News Clothes, sat down with Betty Sze, Director of Editorial Relations, of Models.com.  Both have been in the industry so long they were bound to meet up to discuss the recent trends, the modeling world and how models.com has become the epicenter of everything that is modeling.

Richie: We have used models.com as a first stop for our company to learn about new models, and what's new in the business, alongside many others in this industry. When did you begin with models.com and why do you think it has been so successful?

Betty:  The company itself started in 1999; I started with MODELS.com in 2000. I think it's been successful for many different reasons. One is the unique perspective that each member of the main team brings to the equation. Our creative director and publisher, Stephan Moskovic had the vision and foresight to start a web site dedicated to the modeling industry years before any other blog and most other fashion web sites were even launched, with features like the top model rankings that continue to define the industry to this day. Our editorial director, Wayne Sterling is an extraordinarily gifted writer who not only understands the intricacies of the industry but has an uncanny ability to understand what it needs next. I came as an ex-model agent, so I brought a lot of invaluable experience in terms of the agency's perspective. Another reason for our success, I believe, is that we have kept our standards at the highest level. One of our most popular areas on the website, the Top 50 Models, is a result of tireless research and constant communication with the agencies about their top models and the work that they do. Right now, with the mass amount of information out there, there is a need to have a central gathering place for knowledge about the models and the other major players in the game. We now also have a small but amazing team at our office that make the site what it is everyday.

Richie: How often do you find/feature a new face model with only a few Polaroid's in her book, and a year later see them all over, very successful?

Betty: We work with most of the top agencies around the world. They really are the best at what they do so when they submit them to us, many times their new faces do end up as some of the world's top models. I really couldn't give you exact numbers but I would say it's fairly often. As an example, Doutzen [Kroes] and Agyness [Deyn]were our models of the week when they first started out. Wayne also has great instincts in terms of who will be a star; he saw Doutzen and Karolina Kurkova a long time before their careers took off and knew there was definitely something there.

Richie: If you were to give advice on the best way to become a model, what would you advise to find out if this was a career for them to pursue or not?

Betty: They should find out, first of all, if their physical measurements are what the industry is looking for. The absolute best way is to go to open call at any of the top agencies in any of the major cities around the world. We have a pretty comprehensive list on our featured participating agencies page: http://models.com/agencies/
If it's impossible to go to one of the major cities, you can always email the agencies if they accept email submissions or register for a free account with MODELS.com. The agencies scout regularly the aspiring models who register on our site. We also have a list of top management companies/scouts whose sole job is to find great faces and place them with the top agencies.

Richie: What would be the one most significant pitfall a prospective model should avoid when beginning?

Betty: There are so many but if I had to just name one: many aspiring models want it so badly that they fall prey to the thousands of scams whose sole purpose is to get money from them. The aspiring models actually have it quite lucky nowadays with the advent of the Internet. When I started as an agent 16 years ago, there was no such thing. Now, one can do so much research from the safety of their home.

Richie: Living in NYC, what's you're favorite thing/s about the city?

Betty: I'm actually born and raised in NYC, so it really is my home. Except for a stint at college, I've lived in this wonderful city for most of my 40 years. I thrive on the fast pace of the city; the accessibility of everything for shopping/eating/culture; the realness of the people (how corny is that!)

Richie: Every one knows in such a fast city one's favorite place to eat or drink changes every month! What are your favorites right now!

Betty: As a mother of a toddler, there's not much room for going out for drinks. But in terms of eating, Bedouin Tent on Atlantic Avenue (Brooklyn) is near our home and they have really interesting, very fresh, reasonably priced food; same thing with Sushi D on DeKalb Avenue (Brooklyn). My husband and I are trying to explore more restaurants to give our child a varied palate. Shake Shack in Manhattan in Madison Square Park is always delicious but the lines are quite ridiculous and as an impatient New Yorker, it's a rare day when I will wait a whole hour for a damn burger.

Richie: There is a rumor you are practicing a very interesting sport in your spare time, in fact we hear you are very good! Would you care to share more info on this?

Betty: I've been training in the Korean martial art of Hapkido for 11 years now. It's like the Korean version of Jujitsu and it is practiced by the Korean special forces. There's conditioning, ground work, weapons training, joint locks as well as punching and kicking. It's an extremely versatile martial art (not sport!) and it is very empowering. I'm a 2nd degree black belt and as cliche as it might sound, the practice really has changed my life! I can't even really remember why I started, I think it just sounded sort of cool to maybe kick a little butt :). What I found instead was 1) I quit smoking 2) I lost about 10 pounds 3) I discovered how I could protect myself but most importantly, I found meaning and focus to my life.

Richie: That's amazing! have you ever competed?

Betty: My teacher is not a huge fan of tournaments as he feels that it fosters a false sense of security in one's practice with its rules and time limits. As someone who grew up in the streets and watching friends die in front of him; I think he prefers to keep the martial arts as something very real without the boundaries set in tournament fighting. Having said that though, he does every 3 or 4 years, take the higher ranks to tournaments to test their control and their strength of mind. I have a couple of medals and trophies. I'm most proud that I did well for the school!

Richie: What's the most influential thing in your life right now?

Betty: I would have to say my family first and then my Hapkido teacher is a close second

Richie:  Will you design a t-shirt for us?!

Betty:  I would love to, it would probably something martial arts-y! or maybe girly? Who knows?

Click here to learn more about Hapikido and visit Betty Sze's martial arts school: http://happykicks.com/