Alexandra Venison began her career at a modelling agency in Dubai before moving into fashion journalism. She worked at Emirates Woman and Viva Magazine, later becoming Online Editor at Harper’s Bazaar Arabia and Beauty Editor at Vogue Arabia.

In this episode of The Business of Modelling, Alexandra joins Tessa to talk about her journey through fashion media, her experiences interviewing global celebrities, and the growing overlap between beauty and wellness.

Now based in Dubai, Alexandra runs Genie & Co., a consultancy offering content creation and copywriting, and is the co-founder of Beautilist, a new editorial and community platform focused on beauty, health, and wellbeing.

She discusses how the industry is evolving, why authenticity matters more than ever, and what she looks for when working with models and creative teams.

www.businessofmodelling.co.uk

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In this episode of The Business of Modelling, Tessa is joined by Kirin Dejonckheere, an international model turned certified life coach, about transforming industry pressures into personal power and why mental health, authenticity and self-worth are revolutionising how we define success in modelling.

With a decade-long career, she brings a raw perspective to the realities behind the glamour. We explore her evolution from struggling with industry expectations at 15 to becoming the mentor she needed herself - discussing the importance of trusted guidance, the art of saying no to protect your well-being, and why the most sustainable careers are built on substance, not just surface.

Now combining mindset, fitness and nutrition coaching, Kirin is redefining what it means to thrive in fashion while staying true to yourself.

www.kirind.com

www.businessofmodelling.co.uk

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This week, Tessa is joined by Tamsyn Morgans, who started her career in modelling and now is a photographer and stylist. From her start in Manchester's vibrant '90s commercial scene to her current work capturing vintage interiors for magazines like Period Living and Homes & Antiques, Tamsyn's story showcases fearless reinvention.

We explore her journey into a photographer in her early 40’s, her philosophy that being nice is the best career advice, and why the most authentic creative journeys are rarely linear. Tamsyn proves that passion and persistence can turn any challenge into opportunity.

www.tamsynmorgans.com

www.businessofmodelling.co.uk

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In this week’s episode, Tessa is joined by Anita Nayyar, Founder & CEO of ANT Management in Dubai. She transformed her personal modelling struggles into an entrepreneurial success and why treating talent like family is an important agency essential in the Middle East.

With experience walking for Christian Siriano, Badgley Mischka and international fashion weeks, she brings firsthand understanding to talent representation. We discuss her challenges of building trust in this competitive market and why financial stability, genuine care and authentic relationships are the foundation of her agency.

https://www.antmgmt.com/

www.businessofmodelling.co.uk

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In this episode of The Business of Modelling, Tessa is joined by Alex Babahmadi, Head of PR & Brand Partnerships at Freedom Models LA, about how talent is changing in today’s fashion landscape – and why authenticity, kindness and long-term thinking are helping reshape the industry.

With a career working for Elite, Premier & Amanda Wakeley and more. He brings a global perspective to talent management, from catwalks of London to brand campaigns in LA and the Middle East. We trace his journey from diplomatic dreams to fashion PR, discussing launching models in the spotlight and exploring why the most powerful personal brands are often built through collaboration, purpose, and real connection.

www.freedommodels.com

www.businessofmodelling.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Producers With Purpose: Rewriting the Rules of Sustainable Production

In this episode of The Business of Modelling, Tessa Dewing sits down with Camilla Sørenson, co-founder of Perma Collective, to talk about redefining production through a sustainability lens.

With over 15 years of industry experience, Camilla has produced global campaigns for brands like Google, Harley-Davidson, and KPMG. Now, she's part of a new wave of producers bringing low-impact, high-ethics thinking into every aspect of creative production. We discuss her journey from ad agency receptionist to B Corp-certified business owner, and what it takes to run environmentally conscious shoots - from carbon reporting and wardrobe rentals to vegan catering in the Spanish hills.

Whether you're a creative, freelancer, or brand strategist, this episode is a practical, honest deep dive into doing business better, without sacrificing creative standards.

www.perma-collective.com

www.businessofmodelling.co.uk

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Late Nights, Big Sets, and Even Bigger Vision: What It Really Takes to Run a 300-Person Shoot.

In this episode of The Business of Modelling, host Tessa Dewing travels to Dubai to meet Ishani Pawar, Managing Partner of Magnet Connect — one of the UAE’s leading production companies. From her early days modelling in India to becoming a powerhouse producer and female CEO in a traditionally male-dominated environment, Ishani shares a story of reinvention, resilience, and creative leadership.

We explore how Dubai’s production industry has evolved, why international brands are flocking to the Middle East, and what it takes to manage 300-person shoots in the desert. Ishani also discusses the reality of launching Magnet Connect, the influence of mentors, and her optimistic view on AI’s role in production. Whether you're a model, creative, or entrepreneur, this conversation offers an inside look at what it takes to thrive in one of the world's fastest-growing media markets.

www.magnetconnect.com

www.businessofmodelling.co.uk

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Behind the Bookings: Building Careers, Navigating Chaos, and Championing Change

In this episode, Tessa meets Sophie Tataryn – senior model booker at The Hive and one of the sharpest commercial minds in the modelling industry. With a career spanning top agencies, Sophie knows exactly what it takes to build a model’s career from first test to international campaign.

From negotiating usage rights to handling last-minute no-shows and six-figure bookings, Sophie shares what really goes on behind the scenes of the booking process. She discusses the evolution of diversity, the power of saying no to bad contracts, and why empathy, stamina and a good spreadsheet are essential tools for any model booker.

www.thehivemanagement.com

www.businessofmodelling.co.uk

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