Fittings Division

 

Q Could you tell us a bit about your fashion background?

 

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Gemma: After leaving college I became a fashion stylist for a magazine, I then went freelance for a couple of years and was offered a job as head of new faces for a large modelling agency.

 

Alex: Graduated from Central St Martins College of Art and Design, first with a foundation, and finally with a Textile Design degree. I then went to work for a number of well-known magazines in graphic design/advertising.

 

 

 

Q When did you set up Fittings Division and what initially sparked off the idea?

 

{mosimage}Gemma: Fittings Division was started in early 2003. I was a model booker for a large agency and kept on getting calls from retailers for what was called ‘fit models.’ 15 years ago dummies were being used to check out new designs before they went into production. Now companies prefer to use new ‘live’ models – that range in size – from a dress size 6-24 in short, ‘core’ (average) and tall. With all these enquiries we were turning down good business and I realized I had found a niche in the market. 

 

 

Q How many models do you currently have on your books?

 

Alex: We have over 600 male and female models ranging in all different sizes.

 

 

Q Are their hourly rates affordable?

 

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Gemma: Our rates are extremely competitive, slightly cheaper than the average modelling agency as a lot of our clients are purely interested in their

measurements and not what they look like or their portfolio.

 

 

 

 

Q What sets Fittings Division apart from its competitors?

 

Gemma: We only specialize in fitting and showroom models. We spend a majority of our time measuring and sourcing new candidates. And if we haven’t got what our clients are looking for we advertise until we do.

 

 

{mosimage}Q Do you book your models for other industry jobs apart from fittings – say photographic or shows?

 

Gemma: We do have fashion models on our books for shows etc. Many shoe companies approach us for shoe models as their sample size is a 4, and it is extremely difficult to find catwalk models with this foot size. The majority of photographic work we do is normally in house i.e. In-house marketing.

 

 

Q What are your future plans for Fittings Division?

 

Alex: We are looking to expand up north to Manchester, Bradford, Leeds etc…which is the heart of the catalogue industry.

 

 

Q Preferred method of contact for new clients…

 

Alex: Email us at studio@fittingsdivision.co.uk or call us direct on: 0207 636 7456

 

 

Q Anything else you would like mention…

 

Gemma: Check us out on www.fittingsdivision.co.uk

 

 

 

By JoJo Iles