Edward Carls chats with the director of Mint Management NY where he shares his professional moments during his 10 years in the fashion industry!

I am a southern gentleman, raised in Virginia. My parents are african american and welsh. My passions are fashion, travel, palladian, federal, rocco and mid-century architecture, painting, photography, furniture design, art history, war stratagems and my annual Christmas Toy Drive for Mother Hale House. I was working as a host, at restaurant, where, the vice president of Metropolitan NY, would often come for lunch. He took notice that, I knew quite a few models, with whom, during my off time, I would collaborate with, as a stylist for test shoots. He said, " You know fashion, models, make-up artists and photographers, did you every think of becoming an agent? " I answered, " I had not thought about it. " So, I was invited to come into the agency to meet with the owners. I had that meeting, quit my restaurant job, took a cut in pay, and starting working as the agency's receptionist. So, I learned the in and outs of the workings of a modeling agency. By the by, I was still styling on the side, for photo shoots + TV commercials.

One day, one of the agency's models, who, also happened to be a friend, was leaving the agency in tears; as no one at the Booking Table would give her the time day, nor develop her. She stopped by desk, and to comfort her, I offered to help with her portfolio, by styling and getting her test shoots. She brought those photos into the agency, and I sent her to the president's office. He asked her, " Where did you get these tests done? " She told him,, " Nigel set up and styled the test shoots. " He took the photos to the Booking Table and asked, " Why had someone from the Booking Table not done this for the model? " Well, during this verbal exchange, someone said, " He is just the receptionist, he is not an agent! " At that, I walked to the Booking Area, and announced, " Yes, I am gunning for a Booking Agent position, so, watch out! " A few weeks later, the New Faces / Runway booker was let go, and I become a Model Agent. And, I have been an Agent for well over 10 years. And, now, I am an Owner / Director. I do not know, if I choose this career path, or it choose me. Yet, being a Model Agent and Owner, allows me to utilize all of my skills and interests

IN and OUTS in the Fashion World

I love the Fashion world, though, I think we need to support and promote our young design talent more! And, we need MORE DIVERSE representation of male and female Models in Publications, Advertising and Runway. Glamour is HARD WORK!. It is a tough market. As a new face, you need to be on your game, day + night. I mean by that, as model, there are appropriate and advantageous events to attend, where, you meet and mingle.

IN

ETHNIC Male and Female Models ( Are ALWAYS IN !!! )
Haider Ackermann
Santiago Calatrava
FIT and HEALTHY bodies
Band of Horses
Fleet Fox
Classic tailoring with unique and innovative fabrications
Rick Owens
Articulation
Knowing history of some kind
Accessories
Graciousness

OUT

Clone models
No Diversity on the runways, nor in magazines and print campaigns
Baggy jeans on guys
Skin and bones

The key of the success: Upside and Downside of a modeling career

The key to success is knowledge, punctuality, dedication, patience, being focused, graciousness and listening to your Agent!

Upside: Travel, money, working with the world's most creative people and the opportunity to facilitate one's own entrepreneurial dreams

Downside: Not listening to your Agent

Success = Dedication, Punctuality, Patience, Graciousness, Knowledge, a GOOD AGENT and BEING TRUE TO WHO YOU ARE!

The impact of World Economic Crisis on the Fashion Business

Quite a few people think of the Fashion/ Modeling business as frivolous; yet, those same people do not understand, the economic engine that is Fashion / Modeling business. Department stores need clothes for consumers to buy; those clothes are manufactured my workers; those workers use fabric and yarns, produced by even more workers and farmers. Those clothes need to be modeled by models, hence, modeling agencies; photographed by photographers ( who rent studios and hire assistants and staff ), styled by stylists; model faces need to made up, by make-up artists; nails done by manicurists and hair done by hairstylists. And, all the aforementioned use products and tools, that are produced and developed by, yet, another group of manufacturers, technicians and scientists. Those clothes need advertising campaigns, which, need to be cast and produced, thus, casting directors and advertising firms; campaign shoot production, there for, production companies. The magazines, where those campaigns will appear, need to be printed and produced, thus, printing facilities and magazine staffs. The Fashion / Modeling business is a vast, and adaptive industry.

The tips for a guy/girl instered to become a model

When you go to your castings, dress like you want the job and BE ON TIME!!! And, BE TRUE TO WHO YOU ARE!!!. Be engaging. Know the client you are meeting and some of their history. Know the industry is cyclical. There are new opportunities every minute, hour, day, week. month, season ( Fall/Winter or Spring Summer) and year

The cool and very special moments

PAST: Being in Paris, during the World Cup, Men's Runway Shows, Paris Gay Pride, + Paris Music Festival, and watching the sunrise from a taxi, after dancing all night at Queen Discoteque

PRESENT: Starting MINT Managment

FUTURE: long term success

Places Nigel goes for fun: Brazil, Tennis Court, Paris, my paint brushes, colour pencils, water colours, ink, sketch pad and books

In his IPOD Nigel hears.....

I can not pick just one favourite singer or type of music, as, it depends on my mood. For instance, just now, I am listening to Astrud Gilberto / " Manhã De Carnaval, " to transport me to balmy Rio nights, from the chilly, rain soaked autumnal Manhattan day. Yesterday, it was The Orb - " Beautiful Day ", Primal Scream - " Higher Than The Sea, " + Frou Frou - " Suzuki. " And, the day before that, Joaquin Rodrigo - " Il Adagio / Concierto de Aranjuez, " Vivaldi - " Autumn, " Albinoni - " Adagio in G Minor, " and Handel - " Arrival of The Queen of Sheba. " Other singers and musicians I listen to: Dean and Brita, Sarah Vaughn, Dinah Washington, Foal, Band of Horses, Nat King Cole, Serge Gainsbourg, Grace Jones, Sade, Beyonce, Madonna, Journey, Bebel Gilberto, The Smiths, ABC. I could on and on. Music is an integral and inspiring part of my day and life!

Main motto: ONWARDS and UPWARDS!

Info contact:
MINT Management
http://www.mintmanagement.us/
211 Madison Avenue, Suite No. 12A
NY,NY, 10016
T: 646 - 964 - 6472, ext. 701