By Bianca Posterli
Casting directors are responsible for finding models to enhance a designer’s collection and support their vision. Whether for a season or just a single event, finding the perfect models to display each runway look is key to a successful fashion show. In many cases, casting directors are single-handedly responsible for catapulting a girl into supermodel status. Modelinia introduces you to the best casting directors in the business.
Angus Munro
Who would know better how to cast models than the agents themselves? Angus Munro began his career searching out new faces for Elite London, but transitioned to casting for David Sims. “I gave quite a few models their first editorial run outs that helped them on the road to stardom,” he says of his work experience with David. Katie Grand brought him to true casting director pro status when she requested that he cast Louis Vuitton. Since then, you’ve seen the product of his work in shows such as Luella Bartley, Matthew Williamson, and Preen.
And if you love Anja Rubik, you should thank Angus. “She was already a successful model, but was not universally considered super cool and perhaps a little commercial,” he said. “I have always thought she had the real star quality that only true supermodels possess. I used her for everything I did and I would like to think that my belief and loyalty to her has had a distinct impact on her dizzying rise to the top.”
Jennifer Venditti
To say that Jennifer Venditti is just a casting director would be grossly inaccurate. Her work in fashion began at powerhouse agency KCD, but transitioned to casting for W, and by 1998 she opened her own agency, JV8inc. Not only does she cast for iconic photographers such as Bruce Weber and Steven Klein, but she also turned her creative side to filmmaking as well. In 2006, she created her first full-length film, Billy the Kid, while she was also casting for the short “Bugcrush.” Never fear. She isn’t leaving the modeling world, but rather combining her passions via JV8inc. Want to catch Jennifer’s attention? Here’s a tip: She’s looking for “someone who is comfortable in their skin, embraces their individual beauty, curious about the world, believes in himself/herself, and is interested in the business of what they are doing and their place in it.”
James Scully
If you’re in love with the enviable cool factor of the Gucci girls, then you have James Scully to thank. As the longtime casting director for the brand, he was brought in-house during 2004 to continue his genius casting, but also chooses the models for shows such as Derek Lam, Carolina Herrera, Zac Posen, and Bill Blass. And having the pleasure of handpicking the models for shows isn’t James’ only talent. He began his career producing shows, but also served as a bookings editor for Harper’s Bazaar. Liya Kebede has a personal love for James, as he cast the stunner in Gucci, thus beginning her career.
Anita Bitton
Anita Bitton is BFF with models and designers alike. As the casting and creative director for the Establishment, Anita has handpicked faces for countless photographers, including Irving Penn, Miles Aldridge, Nathaniel Goldberg, and the late Richard Avedon to name but a few, not to mention designers like Alexander Wang, Viktor & Rolf, Hussein Chalayan, and DKNY. She’s well-known for her ability to capture the next It girl, and frequently finds a new girl crush to share with Modelinia.
John Pfeiffer
For John Pfeiffer, the day he fell in love with casting he also fell in love with Veronica Webb. In 1992 John began working with designer Richard Tyler and was put in charge of casting the resort show—just six months into his new position—where he cast Veronica plus a whole list of girls he can still name. From there an obsession was born. John has given his casting talent to not only the iconic Victoria’s Secret runway show each year, but countless shows including Luca Luca, Oscar de la Renta, Behnaz Sarafpour, Nanette Lepore, Michael Kors, Lela Rose, and Donna Karan.
Over the years, John has given many girls their first jobs, but one of his favorite memories involves Anna J. “I am happy to say that I was the first casting director (and the only one in New York) to use Anna Jagodzinska in a show (Donna Karan) in the Fall 2008 show season. I loved her when she began modeling as a young teenager—and was bowled over by her when she came back (after a few seasons out of sight) as a young woman.” He’s still modest about his influence. “It’s always a confluence of people and events that creates a ‘perfect storm’ moment for up-and-coming models. That said, there is a great list of girls from the past 15 years that I have taken extra special interest in and supported from the start of—and along through—their careers.”
Check out John’s Wall on Modelinia.
Jennifer Starr
It’s safe to say learning from the greats is ideal. Jennifer Starr learned the ways of the fashion industry thanks to her start with iconic photographer Bruce Weber, scouting locations for a shoot at just 17 years old. From there, she traveled in search of new faces, and was enrolled with the massive task of casting for the Pirelli calendars each year. As the founder of Jennifer Starr Casting, she’s worked with Calvin Klein, Lacoste, Ralph Lauren, Gucci, and Gap to name just a few.
Russell Marsh
Gemma Ward, Sasha Pivovarova, and Daria Werbowy are all faces that the world now knows thanks to Russell Marsh. As the consistent casting director for Miu Miu, Balenciaga, Christopher Kane, Jonathan Saunders, and, most prominently, Prada, it’s safe to say that Russell has certainly made his presence known in the modeling industry. Russell’s ability in discovering some of the brightest model talents in the world make the casting director a brilliant and highly influential addition to the industry.
