_SELECT MEN: Past, Present and Future
_A ModelWatch Exclusive Interview with Maxine Henshilwood of Select _Model Management.
_By Jed Medina, August 2004
Paul Sculfor: considered as one of the most successful male models today, is discovered by Select. Watch out for an Exclusive with Paul here at Modelwatch!
SELECT MODEL MANAGEMENT is acknowledged as the leader in the whole of the UK when it comes to model management and representation.

Established more than 25 years ago, the agency has withstood the test of time, the ever-changing tastes in fashion, and has adapted itself with the emergence of the new global fashion community.

The agency discovered such superstars as Stella Tenant, Calum Best, Chris Walters, James Penfold, Bill Gentle, Paul Sculfor, James Rousseau and Jamie Strachan to name a few. Located in London, in the United Kingdom, Select continues to discover new faces and has kept itself at the forefront of fashion and modeling, not only in Europe, but all over the world.

With a focus on SelectMen, Modelwatch once again break new grounds with an exclusive interview, featuring Maxine Henshilwood, one of the driving force behind one of the most innovative and successful male model management team in the UK and in the world.

Chris Walters: One of the agency's top guns, with stints for Giorgio Armani, Calvin Klein, among others.

We were fortunate enough to ask her about her insights into modeling, her impressions on the ever-changing pace and taste of men's fashion, her models and their future.

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Jed: In your personal perspective, what makes the Men's Division at SELECT a unique and different Men's board compared to the many agencies in the UK?

James Heathcote: Select's true blue British male megastar- definitely Master of the Runways!
Maxine: What sets Select model management apart from the rest is the fact that they are the only agency to book their own models worldwide. They tend not to rely on other agencies to promote their models internationally. They are very loyal to their models and know exactly which direction to promote them.

Jed: What is the most important role of an agent and a talent manager?

Maxine: The most important role of a model agent & manager is to have a good relationship with the models and always take the time to deal with their work issues and always be there for them as a friend. It is important to make each and every one of them feels important whether they are working or not.

Jed: What is your personal definition of fashion, how do you define style? What makes fashion and modeling such an exciting and controversial field of profession?

Maxine: My definition of fashion is individual style. You can not buy style- it is something that comes naturally.

Says models.com of James Penfold: "Elegant and intelligent, now that's a compelling combination..."

The fashion industry is very exciting because it is always changing its look, which keeps us on our toes as an agency. We are always there at the forefront of fashion so we have a great way of setting the latest look and trend of how a model should look. Ie quirky, androgynous, for example.

Jed: In retrospect, what would you consider as some of the most important achievements of the agency? What makes you proud of SELECT MEN?

Maxine: Select models achievements have been to land most of the men's campaigns in one season. The agency had booked 22 campaigns in one season. I'm proud of Select men as they have yet to lose any of their models to other agencies and it is the only agency for male models in the UK.
SELECT MODEL MANAGEMENT: Establishing a Record to follow!

Founded 25 years ago by sisters Clare and Chrissie Castagnetti and their friend Tandy Anderson, Select has long been established as the UK's number one model agency and is a major player in the international fashion scene.

Select is known to practice innovative model management and representation, in that they introduced the concept of discovering models from the streets of London. Naturally, other agencies began to follow suit.

Select's Maxine Henshilwood

The agency gained a reputation for finding fresh new discoveries and transforming them into supermodels- not only gracing the covers of top fashion magazines, but being selected to represent some of fashion's most glamorous fashion campaigns.
INSIDE SELECT

Representing more than 200 male models alone, the agency acquire its energy and reputation from the many talent managers, agents and bookers it employs. These people are the backbone of the agency.
Read More! Maxine reveals the names of the agency's latest discoveries plus what does it take to become a Select Men model..."
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