Models from Fragrant Modelling Agency. - Carlington WilmotBy Justin Whyte, Entertainment Editor
THE MOTIVATION to help young people to earn a living was always the desire of Jaime Rose, who operated an employment agency up to a year ago with 43 people registered.
"But I could only find jobs for 12. Then, one young woman suggested that I put on a fashion show with as many of those for whom I could not find jobs. And that's how the Fragrant Modelling Agency began," Mr. Rose told The Gleaner.
The agency, located at Half-Way Tree, St. Andrew, has been in operation one year and has been placing emphasis on entertainment modelling.
Fragrant models have brought a new approach to modelling, Mr. Rose said. He explained that the emphasis is not on catwalk presentations, instead they walk among patrons and intermingle.
One of his frontline models, Tanya Stephenson, is now preparing her porfolio for an interview with the Ford Model Agency of New York.
"We at Fragrant Model Agency do not only seek monetary gains, but have our clients at heart and so try to entertain them well," Tanya told The Gleaner.
The model said she signed with the agency because "we are treated well and there are always assignments for us."
How would she handle a situation where patrons became familiar while she was modelling in the audience? "We just have to set limits and standards and stick by them", she reponded.
Fragrant models also have contracts with such nightclubs as Asylum, Cactus, Half-time nightclubs in Kingston and Club 2000, May Pen, Clarendon.
So far, they have done runway modelling for Spencer's Fashion Institute, Spanish Town; Troo-per's Garments and 'Cooyah' Reggaewear of Kingston.
All models are required to sign a one-year contract and are given 80 per cent of the fees the agency receives, Mr. Rose said.
"Within a year of our operations", Mr. Rose said, "some of our models, including Shellie-Ann Holness, have caught the eye of other established model agencies. She now models with Pulse International full time.
There are plans to stage a children's pageant in the coming year, based on facial beauty and academic achivements.
