An Interview with Booker Carlotta Sironi @ VNY interviewed by Saori Omayu
Today, I had a chance to chat with one of the bookers @ VNY, Carlotta Sironi who handles many of the top models in the world.
Can you tell us how you became a Booker?
I was in college in Italy and I was looking for summer internship. So I started working as an intern at the agency in Milan, and they decided to hire me. So I continued working there as an assistant at booking table, picking up the phone, updating the book, giving casting to the models, and making a lot of copies. When I first started, there was no computers at the agency, so there was a wheel in the middle of the table where we kept models' files. And we physically write the models schedules and appointments on the chart. It was really super old school. I just got in college at that time, so I had no clue about this business, and I did not even know how to use fax machine. And of course I did not even know any of the big models in 90's like Marcus Schenkenberg, so I was like "who are you?"
How long are you working @ VNY?
5 years at VNY, but I'm in this business for 12 / 13 years... since June 1997.
How did you become a Booker @ VNY?
When I was working for the agency in Milan, I used to do scouting a lot, so I traveled all over the world throughout Europe, US and Canada. I came to NY every summer to visit some agencies to find and bring some models to Milan. That's how I met Lana, and she offered me a job here. We had some connection. So I decided to move to NY. NY is like everybody's dream, you know!?
What do you enjoy the most working as a Booker?
Finding a great new guy, and also when you see a potential in a new guy. It's like getting him out of bassinet to make him successful. We all scout on the street, in the subway and a bar, so if we see someone who has potential, we stop them and ask them like, "Do you model? Are you with any agency?". Sometimes they look at me like I have three heads and I'm crazy. But European and American mentalities are very different. In Europe it's not a popular thing to do. If you do something like this, people don't trust you and they think it's a scam unless you are very persistent, of course. But here in America, people are more open-minded and interested in modeling, I think.
How do you describe VNY?
We are super COOL, first of all. We are great team, and I think that we are working a lot and building a lot of things. And the agency is still growing and heading higher and higher. I think we are pretty cool agency because we do not represent too many models, but most of the models we represent right now are the very top models who are very successful. And they are very nice guys as well. You do not wanna send someone who is not nice, not professional, and have a nasty attitude, you know? It is important to have nice people to work with.
Who is your favorite designer?
I love Marc Jacobs, Chloé, and Diane Von Furstenberg. I really like Marc Jacob's accessories, and I think they have amazing bags and nice shoes too. And I love Mue Mue shoes also. I think they have very amazing stuff. I like their styles, kinda girly but look preppy, and very simple but sheek at the same time in a way. You can wear it casual, and also you can wear it like fancy.
What do you think about Pros and Cons about this fashion industry?
Good things and bad things are in every business, but basically the good thing is that you are in contact with creative people. This is a young business, young industry, so it always keeps you young and keeps your mind young. You have to be very open-minded in order to be dealing with these young people. I think that's definitely a good thing. My job is not necessary a creative job because I'm not a designer, I'm not a stylist, but still creative in another level. Con would be... I am working 24/7 non stop. Even 2 in the morning, I have to take care of models if they missed the flight or have to find a hotel at 3 in the morning... But it keeps me alive too...I guess.
I'm sure there are some ups and downs, but what drives you to continue?
Excitement of finding new people. It keeps you going when you see the models excited or being happy, and also when they appreciate what we do for them. When you book a big campaign, you make some more money!! And it's a good satisfaction. Working with high-end photographer for big designer... that's exciting too.
It has been about a year since VNY started working with William Lords. How has been working with him?
I love him. I think he really does amazing pictures. I can't wait to see him in more magazines. Sometimes, it is not easy for photographers to interpret the beauty of models in their images. But William has the eyes to find the beauty in every single guys and girls in different way. All the models have different angles, and not all the photographers can find that. Models are not always objectively beautiful, but some models are very unique and interesting. William always finds model's beauty, strength and uniqueness, and capture it in his images. It's like special eyes and it's a special talent.
Do you have any requests for William?
I don't know... I don't really have any request... Oh wait, actually I have one request. William is going to take a picture of me later... but I am very NOT photogenic!! So he needs to do a good job because I wanna look fabulous!!
We had a good laugh and it was really a fun interview. By the way, you look fabulous in the picture, Carlotta ;)
I am going to continue interviewing more bookers of another agencies. Look out for the next addition of "The Bookers".
Photo by Craig McDean for ck Calvin Klein F/W 2009-2010
