The Business Of Modelling

Recorded with a live audience in the SR offices, Sarah Gabillia is a creator and influencer strategist with experience working both agency and client-side, including leading influencer strategy for global beauty brands. Her career spans large-scale creator campaigns, brand partnerships, performance strategy and navigating the realities of a fast-moving, highly saturated space. In this episode, she breaks down how the creator economy works today, why brands often misunderstand creative freedom, and what creators need to know about value, usage and long-term partnerships. Sarah also shares what defines successful creators heading into 2026, why metrics alone don’t tell the full story, and how consistency and authenticity underpin sustainable careers. www.businessofmodelling.co.uk  

Brandon Andre is an LA-based photographer, model developer and scout whose work has helped hundreds of new faces to build their books, take strong digitals and sign with major agencies. His career spans agency testing, portfolio building on-camera coaching, high-impact social media series and the creation of new scouting formats.In this episode, he discusses the mindset required for a sustainable modelling career, the technical standards that models overlook, and why confidence comes from performance, not perfection. He also shares how social media transformed his business and reshaped how aspiring models are discovered today.www.businessofmodelling.co.ukwww.brandonandrephoto.com

Hollie Lacayo is a London-based fashion stylist and writer whose work spans editorial, commercial, music and red-carpet styling. Her portfolio includes campaigns for Hackett, AllSaints and M&S, along with features in Vogue and 1883 Magazine. In this episode, she talks about what the job actually involves, the pace of freelance life and the parts of styling people rarely see. As Chair of BECTU’s Fashion UK division, she outlines the work being done to support stylists, MUAs, hairdressers and other freelancers behind the camera. She discusses why raising industry standards is overdue, what needs to change and how collective action can protect creatives while improving working conditions for everyone. She explains how she builds trust with clients, how she approaches briefs, and why clear communication and proper processes matter as much as creativity. Hollie also speaks about unrealistic expectations are placed on stylists with long hours, last-minute requests, unpaid favours and the assumption that creatives should absorb costs themselves.www.businessofmodelling.co.ukwww.hollielacayo.co.ukwww.bectufashionuk.com

Steven Michael-O’Hara is the Founder and CEO of Genesis Model Management, an editorial agency built around professionalism, trust and a clear understanding of what talent and clients need. He speaks about why he launched the agency, how the name Genesis reflects a fresh start and a new way of working, and the standards he believes the industry should be holding itself to. Steven also discusses the realities of longevity, representation that goes beyond the surface, and what models today need to know if they want to build a sustainable career. www.businessofmodelling.co.uk www.genesismodelmgmt.co.uk 

Based in Sheffield, Zoe Proctor and Laura Winson are the co-founders and directors of ZBD Talent, one of the UK's most forward-thinking model and talent agencies. Representing people with disabilities, visual differences and neurodivergence. They also work with global brands including Nike, Vogue & Gucci. They discuss how they started up the agency together and the shift from tokenism to true representation, and what meaningful change really looks like within the modelling industry. They also talk about the power of visibility, their work with Ellie Goldstein, and the importance of creating opportunities for talent can often be overlooked by traditional agencies.www.businessofmodelling.co.ukwww.zbdtalent.com

Based in Berlin, Nina Houwer is co-founder and casting director of Troeber Casting, one of Germany’s most respected agencies. With a job list spanning campaigns for Zalando, Hugo Boss, Adidas and Mercedes-Benz, Nina works closely with global brands and creative teams to find talent who bring authenticity and individuality to screen. In this episode, Nina discusses what makes talent stand out in today’s market, how individuality is valued over perfection, and how digital and self-tape castings have transformed the process. She also shares insights into Berlin’s creative scene, working with international clients, and the growing influence of AI and technology in casting. From discovering new faces to managing high-profile productions, Nina offers a grounded look at what it really takes to get booked. www.businessofmodelling.co.uk www.troeber-casting.de 

Bree Colter is a fashion and beauty model represented by Freedom Models LA. She has worked with brands including Fenty Beauty, Urban Decay, NYX, Maybelline and Nike, and walked for LaQuan Smith and VFiles at New York Fashion Week. In this episode, Bree talks about developing confidence through experience, navigating social media, and the importance of professionalism and communication on set. She also discusses managing finances, setting boundaries, and treating modelling as a business from the start. Bree is the author of Strike a Pose, a guide for new models entering the industry, and the host of the Role Models podcast. www.businessofmodelling.co.uk www.breecult.com  www.freedommodels.com  

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 of authenticity, creativity and connection in an increasingly automated world and why he believes the human element will always remain irreplaceable.www.businessofmodelling.co.ukwww.iconicmanagement.com