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Margaret Merritt of The Agency Arizona
Since the Supermodel era of the 90′s, I’ve always been intrigued by the glamourous world of modeling. We’ve all heard those stories of some of the world’s most beautiful women being plucked out of a crowd one day, gracing the covers of Vogue and Elle the next. But what’s really being the modeling scene? How are our local girls finding national jobs? To find out, I went to the local modeling / fashion maven, Margaret Merritt, President of The Agency Arizona.
Margaret Merritt, President of The Agency Arizona
Margaret’s history in the local fashion scene is more than impressive. After starting her career in Dallas, Margaret landed glamourous local jobs including the Fashion PR Director for Saks Fifth Avenue, at the legendary Robert Black Agency and as a freelance stylist with Neiman Marcus, even traveling with Ken Downing, NM’s current Director of Style. Now as President of The Agency AZ, Margaret and her team manage the careers of over 200 runway, fashion, male, plus-size, petite and mature models and a select group of actors in the Valley.
A day in the life of Margaret is a busy one! Each day is involved with what she considers “career management” of a model – submitting models for j0b placement, test shoots, advising her models on how they can correctly market themselves through proper pictures and portfolios, sorting through new submissions, booking jobs, visiting her models on job location, and more.
Test shoot for new model
The Agency AZ's sleek office at Safari Drive in Scottsdale
If that wasn’t enough, Margaret coordinates some of the biggest fashion shows here in the Valley. From the runway design, model casting, wardrobe selection, retailers, styling each model, runway rehearsals and more all within the parameters of the client’s theme and expectations.
Margaret deciding wardrobe for charity show at Blossom Boutique in Scottsdale
So how do the local beauty’s from The Agency AZ land those national Abercrombie and Kohl’s campaigns? One aspect of Margaret’s role is to network her models to top NY, LA and Miami agencies for national and international job placement. Models signed with The Agency for work in Arizona, may very well have contracts with popular agencies like Next or Elite to land those lucrative jobs that rarely cast here locally. That way, the model gets the best of both worlds – living and working here in Arizona and traveling the globe for those opportunities that will hopefully launch their careers to super model status! So glamourous!!
PS – I picked up a little “insider” tip from Margaret during our visit. All models should have a “shoe bag” that includes an array of shoes from evening to day wear, in an array of styles and colors. Some shoots and shoes can’t provide shoes, so you must!!
The Agency Arizona is located at 4747 N. Scottsdale Road C-1006, Scottsdale, 480-947-5588, www.theagencyaz.com.
0 comments permalink | 10:34 AM | 5.27.2009 |
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Renee – Model of the Month
The beautiful Renee is a newcomer to the modeling industry. Look at these gorgeous pictures!
Recently, Renee worked the runway at the CityNorth fashion show for White House / Black Market. When she’s not modeling, she is a personal trainer. I asked Renee what her dream campaign would be, she said “either Ralph Lauren or a fitness campaign of some kind”.
Renee is manage by Gail McCauley at MTM Model and Talent Management. 480-213-1419
0 comments permalink | 12:50 PM | 5.13.2009 |
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“Face of Foothills” Model Search
Arizona Foothills is launching a nationwide model search for their first-ever Face of Foothills. The winning model, who encompasses the style, substance and sophistication of the luxury publication, will serve as the FOF through December 31, 2010.
Alongside the honor of being named the 2010 Face of Foothills, our winner will be on the cover of the February 2010 issue of AFM, a fashion shoot and see her face featured on the ArizonaFoothillsMagazine.com and AFM E-Newsletter headers for one full year. She’ll also receive a weekend stay in the Valley with spa treatments and other amazing prizes.
April 15 through July 15, Arizona Foothills will collect submissions via e-mail faceoffoothills@mediathatdeelivers.com. Participants must be at least 18 years of age and between 5‘8 and 6’ tall. Entrants must submit the following:
* A head shot (no makeup, please!), full-length shot
* Contact info including name, phone number and e-mail address
* Measurements including height, size, bust, waist, hips, hair and eye color
Arizona Foothills editors and the Creative Director will choose the top 50 models, who the public can then vote on at ArizonaFoothillsMagazine.com through September 30. A panel of editors, sponsors and judges will then meet the top 10 in person and choose their winner.
Hopefully a fabulous face from Phoenix will win!!!
Click here for the Contest Rules.
2 comments permalink | 10:00 AM | 4.24.2009 |
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