The Fashion Law Edit Presents: Anne Therese Gennari, co-founder of Role Models Management
In 2017, Role Models Management was founded, with the fundamental values of empowering models whilst putting ethics and social justice at the forefront of their agency. TFLE met co-founder Anne Theresa Gennari, who along with her business partner Val Emanuel, launched Role Models to drive positive change within the industry.
What inspired yourself and Val to form Role Models?
We had both been modelling and we felt the need for a shift in the industry. We wanted to create a platform where models felt OK speaking up about things they believe in and build a strong personal brand that can both inspire followers and attract clients. We got introduced to each other via a mutual friend who knew about our separate ideas for a new agency - one phone call was all it took for us to decide to give an ethical agency a go!
How important is it for you to empower your models and give them a platform to speak about their beliefs?
We believe it’s the most important part of an agency. Not only because models and influencers hold a certain responsibility to portray healthy values to their followers, but because holding back that power can be very harmful. For too long, models have been afraid of speaking out and sharing their experiences (among them sexual harassment and discrimination) from the fear of losing jobs or being seen as difficult to work with. Luckily, #metoo fuelled a new kind of era and we were lucky to have just launched our agency earlier that year - we were just on time with our mission!
What exactly does an ethical agency entail?
In our opinion, there are two aspects to an ethical modelling agency - what goes in and what goes out. First you have to nurture an environment where models feel safe and comfortable to learn and grow, as well as empower these models to go out and change the world. In doing so we wish to attract the brands that are on this mission with us and pair them with likeminded models.
How do you pick which models/influencers to represent?
The first thing we look for in a model is a “DO-GOOD” and “YES” attitude, who possess a positivity and who are enjoyable to work with. The second thing we look for is whether or not we believe this person is “Role Model Material”, meaning - how does he/she wish to be a positive influence in the world? To us, being a model is not enough, you have to want to use your platform to inspire others and help fuel the movement for a more sustainable world.
Is there a particular brand that Role Models have worked with which you are proud of?
Timberland booked no less than four of our models for their Earth Needs Heroes campaign. That was when the coin really dropped and we understood that we were doing something right representing ethical and sustainably-driven models.
In your opinion, what needs to change in the fashion industry, specifically for other modelling agencies?
More transparency for everyone - for models, for brands, and for the consumer. Models are independent contractors and should be treated as such, with dignity and respect. We also believe that as influencers, models should be educated on things like sustainability and social justice, as they can be agents of change and we must empower them to believe that they are!
Learn more about Role Models here and follow on Instagram @rolemodelsmgmt.