The beginning: BOYS

Spring 2011 was upon us, A/W show season had finished in all of the major fashion capitals, Milan, Paris, London and New York and the Head Bookers and teams were all back in London sitting warmly behind their desks. 

Now that all of the agencies had settled down some what and we moved in to spring it was important to get some new faces in to the agencies to show them what I can do....and....in the process earn myself a bit of dollar.

So struggling with how to scout guys I thought long and hard about a mini scouting schedule for myself and planned a little route of London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, London. Surely there must be some decent unsigned peeps in these cities right?

Erm yeeeah!!

I had been in London less than 10 minutes when across the concourse at St Pancras train station I saw a tall, thin, well groomed and stylishly dressed guy walking hastily towards the exit. With my trusty leather bag and camera trailing around my neck I put my best foot forward and sprinted across the station, just about managing to call out "Excuse me, Excuse me" through bated breath. 

The guy stopped, looked at me with some confusion and then allowed me to introduce myself and thankfully he did for that guy was...

Thomas Tollstedt of Sweden

Tom really takes modelling seriously and puts 100% effort in at every casting and shoot, just as it should be. 

His style is intense and serious yet his personality is open and fun. 

A former Abercrombie and Fitch model, Tom is currently signed both in London with Zone as well internationally with Elite Copenhagen and other agencies in Greece, Germany and Sweden.

Following my day around London I returned to my hotel completely exhausted (I am quite fit and active believe it or not). Whilst at the hotel I turned on BBC and watched a new series called "Blood, Sweat and Luxuries". Not really paying much attention I completely missed everyone's introductions on the show but part way through I started to watch intently and as I did I instantly thought one of the cast could have potential. 

The move I watched the move convinced I was my colleagues at the agencies would be interested, so as it was airing on TV now and it wasn't live it meant he had to be back in the UK. I therefore spent hours and hours trawling the net and contacting the BBC for this guy only to have no luck........but then.....

I stumbled across a 'fan page' on facebook dedicated to this person and noticed something not quite right with one of the people messaging on it and after a little bit more stalkerish searching I eventually found the guy I was after....

George Alsford of Brighton

After several facebook messages and phone calls I was finally able to meet up with George in London to give him some idea who I was and what I do. 

Following this meeting we did a few photographs in Trafalgar Square before departing so that I could get his pics off to the different agencies.

Although all major London agencies are in competition with each other it doesn't mean they all necessarily want to sign the same people. George was seen by NEXT and Elite and rejected, however not to be disheartened we tried Select where George was tested and later signed. George has already got some credits to his name having signed for a large campaign with high street brand Republic.