Today we shine the spotlight on Marisa Grima, a brilliant model scout, fashion stylist and the co-founder (together with Noelene Miggiani) of Supernova Models; it came as no surprise to anyone when she was recently honoured at this year’s Malta Fashion Awards with a lifetime achievement award. To match this impressive resume, she is a lovely, kind-hearted person who I am very happy to count as a friend and occasionally work alongside.
Tell us a little something about yourself, who is Marisa Grima?
For as long as I can remember I have been interested in fashion. My obsession has been since forever and with each year, my passion increases as I gather strength from local and overseas assignments. I am a model scout, personal stylist and am the fashion stylist for PINK magazine.
“Most successful local models would have a story to tell on how I singled them out and introduced them into the Fashion Industry.”
How do you go about scouting a model? If you had to give a guess, how many models would you say you have scouted over the years? And tell us about supernovamodel, how long has it existed for?
I have an eye for talent and the capability of seeing what the majority would let slip away. I have been managing models, unofficially, for many years and supernovamodel.com was a natural transition for me. It was the case that before, people would know my models as ‘il mudelli ta Marisa‘, but I wanted to make it official so decided that I like the word Supernova as it is a star system. My first competition in 2010 was titled ‘Supernova Model – The Competiton’ a stellar explosion of new faces; Jacqui Losco was the winner with Shana a close second and Madeline third. All models are still going strong with Jacqui being chosen for numerous assignments including The Face for Vodafone and Shana the official face of MFW 2013.
I have no idea how many models I have scouted as I have been doing this for a very long time, but I can name a few, like Romina, Alison Elka, Joy, Anastasia, Maxine Cali, Martha, Lana, Tiffany, Nicole Saliba, Katrina, Corissa, Raissa, Gaby. ..to name but a few.
Once a model joins the agency, what can she expect to achieve? What sort of training is the model given?
Once I like a model and decide I want her to join the agency, I assess how ‘natural’ she is. Some models do not need any help at all, some others need to be taught how to pose or walk for a fashion show. My models are my family, I watch out for them and will never give them a job which I know will diminish their worth or is vulgar. I have great respect for them and treat them so.
“Supernova models have a sense of belonging as the girls often tell me themselves”.
You are also a stellar fashion stylist, how does running the agency correlate to this?
Being a stylist and having my own models makes my job sooooo much easier as when I plan either a shoot or a huge fashion show, like the one we (MYN Media) just had at Girgenti, 10 brands x 30 models x so many outfits, I do not have the time to send the models to try on the outfits as it would be a never ending story. Since I know what looks good on the girls and know their sizes, on the day of the show, the models turn up I show them their outfits, they know what they have to do, we do the show and that’s it! Easy!!! No time wasting traipsing around shops, trying on clothes, I prepare the collection before, pair the outfit to the model and voila….collection comes to life.
Supernova Model Management is also run by my business partner Noelene Miggiani. We share jobs, as two people can get more done than one 🙂 I love working with Noelene, she is such a stickler to detail like I am, and we have a lovely working chemistry together. Supernova is constantly being bombarded by foreign model agencies to send our models to work abroad, we are working on making this happen, but at the same time ensuring that the models are safe.
I am also involved in taking care of all the models and schedules (excl. hairshows) for Malta Fashion Week; That is the largest headache of all, as it is a whole week of shows and events. But I love doing what I do and you will never hear me complain or say how tired I am.
“We have a job to do so the job gets done, by hook or by crook. Dedication and punctuality is key to this line of work!”.
There is an open casting coming up soon for the agency, tell us about this, are there any conditions of entry or can anyone apply?
Last year’s winner Claire, went on to model at The Clothes Show UK, Pink, various jobs and she also walked for the fashion show at C&R. Height is the most required requisite but we have made exceptions in the past so any aspiring models out there who want to give this a go, we will see you on the 1st July at Grand Hotel Excelsior.
Check out the following slideshow of some of Supernova Model’s finest models – both past and present.
Caro
xxx
P.S Don’t forget to read my wonderful news about this blog joining BLOG and the CITY to represent Malta
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