Katie Ford the CEO of Ford models, the daughter of Eileen Ford and Jerry Ford whom founded the Ford Models Agency in 1946.

Joining the company in 1980, Katie has since set up ten other offices in places like Cleveland, Paris, Brazil and Argentina making the company international. Ford models have over 2,500 models in which they represent including, Karen Elson, Maggie Rizer, Erin O’Conner and Adrinna Lima a few of the more established models.

Katie expanded Ford models into divisions that incorporate financial management, Licensing, Sports management and celebrity. Ford has competed with the likes of IMG and DNA, but has still maintained a magnificent reputation as an agency.

“Ford is known for building the stars,” says Katie; “it's recruitment and then development. We develop them in terms of testing, teaching them what it means to be a model and they develop into stars.”

Katie now beginning a fight against human trafficking, has achieved immensely for Ford Models; establishing them as a reliable and successful agency globally.

Lisa Overton

Hero of the Year 2006; Clive Hurst is a well known protector of the Performing and Modeling industry. Having originally completed a two year course in acting, voice, and mime and movement, Hurst has a vast experience of the industry, beginning as a young hopeful himself.

Standing at 5’6”, Clive helped advertise for ‘Trebor Extra Strong Mints’, as character bobby mallet, he appeared throughout the UK and starred in TV and Radio commercials.

Hurst has applied his knowledge of the industry and used it to help others, educating them in how many con artists, search for those longing to perform or model and take advantage of there dreams. Many scam agencies have been set up and Clive has been one to start the naming and shaming.

Clive is a senior campaigner within Equity, a trade union representing professional performers formed in 1930. Attempting to make the industry safer and to prevent exploitation of aspirers; Clive has achieved so much by making the tricksters known.

However, this job is far from finished. The performing and modeling industry is too easily manipulated and acts as a haven for crime. With regulations still not being put in to place, Clive still has an extremely hard fight on his hands.

We applaud Clive's hard work and determination, in this battle to make the industry safer, so that people can achieve their dreams without mistreatment and exploitation. Clive will remain an idol to aspiring talent within the industry, as more scam artists fail to achieve their cons.  

Please visit his website, http://www.anactor.net/. The website provides a vast amount of information about the scams and fake agencies.

Written by Lisa Overton, Institute of Modeling © 2009

Educated at the Parsons school of design, Zang Toi immigrated to the states to live the American dream. He trained under Ronaldus Shamask and Mary Jane Marcasiano. Having created a few lines, Zang Toi and the House of Toi, the young Malaysian designer brought an explosion of colour onto the runway.

Zang has achieved knighthood by the Sultan of Malaysia, won the mouton-cadet young designers award and a beneficiary of the international centre in New York’s award of excellence.

Vivid sarongs, majestic dresses and strapping suits seem to impress the likes of Fergie (Black eyed Peas), Jennifer Tilly, Meg Ryan and Sharon Stone all styled by Toi.

Zang’s collection seduces women with a love of fashion; the sensual style of his designs has put him amongst the elite.

Toi’s unique style has made him a name to remember. Growing up in Asia has taught him to combine tropical colours which are never usually put together creating beautiful, vivid designs Zang is a designer amongst the stars. He has won the spirits of many customers and reviewers.

This amazing creative designer, has pushed the current boundaries of fashion; taking it to the next level. His collection is clearly pure style to transfer into your own wardrobe. Zang Toi, still has much more to come and we look forward to seeing more of his designs on the runway.

Sarah Doukas the creator of Storm model agency: the founder of supermodels such as Kate Moss, and looking after other models such as Cindy Crawford and Trent Ford. It all began in her bedroom in July 1987. With roughly twenty six years of experience in the industry, it is no surprise that Sarah has a keen eye for untouched talent.

As a child growing up in New Forest with her grandmother, Sarah’s greatest ambition was to be a success and it is clear to see, she has achieved this. Running Storm model agency with her brother Simon, the pair have spotted some of the most successful models in the industry.

Sophie Dahl was discovered by Sarah despite not being the conformist model of the time. Liberty Ross was also found by Sarah shopping in Oxford Street, London. Over the years, it has been said that Doukas has a special talent for spotting future idols.

Despite always being in the spotlight, as such a prestige model agent, it has been believed that Sarah would much prefer a day with her husband and daughters riding horses through New Forest. However, with a leading model agency to run; a pleasant ride on her horse April may not happen as often as she’d wish.

As such a legendary agent, Sarah is defiantly one to continue watching, able to see the green roots of supermodels, we are sure Doukas will introduce to the world many more exceptional models.

Yves Saint Laurent (01/08/1936 – 01/06/2008), reigned over the fashion industry for forty years. The first designer to use black models on the catwalk. His brand is still one of the most talked about and worn. Saint Laurent changed the image of the industry and remains an influential design.

Yves love for fashion began in the theatre; he used to read the French magazine Vogue for the theatre reviews. His love for fashion grew from the descriptions of costumes, soon after he was submitting sketches for contests. 3rd place gained him a trip to Paris, where he met the editor in chief for Vogue:  Michel De Brunhoff.

This connection led him to working for Dior. At just 21 years of age, Saint Laurent found himself the head designer of the house of Dior; after the sad passing of Christian. However, this only lasted a number of years, duty called and Yves was to serve for the Algerian War of independence.

In the 1960’s Yves began his own fashion house with partner Pierre Bergé, introducing the first ladies tuxedo, Le smoking suit. Saint Laurent has brought us thigh high boots, jewelled casual jackets, make –up and beautiful fragrances. The couture house was closed in 2002.

In 1999 the brand YSL was brought by Gucci and this has ensured it survival. But let us not forget Yves created glamour for woman using the male wardrobe years before many other designers.

Sadly in 2008, Saint Laurent passed away. Yves has left his mark in the fashion industry, an idol for many aspiring designers. Honoured by the metropolitan museum of art, YSL will be a name rolling of the tongue for many years to come.