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In Summer, Evelina Eco + I sat down (over zoom!) with Esther Knight, co-founder of CEO of sustainable fashion brand Fanfare.  We covered so many different topics... from being a woman in business, her choice to partner with the charity A21 (on a mission to abolish modern day slavery), what it's really like to run a sustainable business, educating her employees + partners on sustainability, and we cover the question; Is collaboration possible in an industry known for its competitiveness? - breaking down how sustainability fights against the competitive nature that the fashion industry has inhabited for so many years. you can follow Fanfare on IG: @fanfarelabel https://fanfarelabel.com

While in the London lockdown we interviewed the founders of the brand Little Places - "a platform to discover the best independent places and brands in London." We filmed this over zoom, while quarantining!  We spoke to founders, Kyra + Jason, about how Little Places came about + why it exists today. Be sure to check out their beautiful site and instagram - they create some gorgeous content! https://www.littleplaces.london/ Instagram

this episode is taken exclusively from our modelme webinar!  with Creative Director, Photographer, and Founder of TRIB318, Josiah Hyacinth.  we have launched an educational platform to help creatives be the best version of themselves. you can check it out through our site: www.modelmemission.co.uk  this webinar covers: why you should start a business finding a gap in the market growing a community creating a company getting out of an inspiration block

STEP NOW is ran by 5 absolutely wonderful humans who I’ve just loved knowing in this short period of time that we have been introduced. Ray, Solomon, Princess, Godwin + Tony are the guys (and girl!) behind STEP NOW, an organisation that supports young people with finance, careers, family + friends, their physical + mental health. I sat down with 4 of the team and really got to understand why STEP NOW was created, how the business supports young people on a day to day basis, how Princess finds working with 4 men(!), + how the current situation with coronavirus has affected a business that runs so heavily with face to face interaction. Massively inspired by how this business is adapting, I spent my time on Zoom with them making notes and having ideas from all the intricate details + stories they gave me. I can’t wait to see how STEP NOW go from strength to strength through this season, + when we are in to the new normal and can leave our homes again. follow STEP NOW:  Website OOfficial STEP NOW - IG Ray Princess Solomon Deveer Tony companies inspiring STEP NOW: (mentioned on the podcast) https://www.instagram.com/juvenis_youth/ https://www.instagram.com/spiralskills/ https://www.instagram.com/milkhoneybees/ https://www.instagram.com/brixtonsoupkitchen/ https://www.instagram.com/boxupcrime/ https://www.instagram.com/carlkonadu/ https://www.instagram.com/lambethtigersfc/ https://www.instagram.com/just_geen/ https://www.instagram.com/ciaralondon/ @model_me Sign up here for our future membership online launch + to join our mailing list Check out modelme: www.modelmemission.co.uk modelme is designed to empower + educate creatives, currently through our online events on instagram, through our podcast here, + our blog.

I first the met the Common Purpose guys (Sam, Tiago and Dan) during working at my part time job! We were friendly and spoke about all things in life - apart from our careers - for a while - until one day I asked what their logo was on their sweaters (this is why I think branded clothing is such a good idea! We still need to do that at modelme...)  When we spoke more about what Common Purpose was - which is a boutique personal training service - we quickly realised how aligned we were as brands. Mindset being something both Common Purpose + modelme value highly, the idea of doing a collab fitness event made total sense. And then... lockdown happened! So we decided to take it online, and are currently running a series of IG lives over on @model_me + @commonpurposeclub. Next week we will be doing smoothie making, and on the 18th May to launch our mental health awareness week of events at modelme, we will be starting on the 18th at 8:30am with Sam from Common Purpose, with a "core" workout and a "mindset" q+a.  Loved this podcast with the boys, we could of spoke for hours!  You can find more about Common Purpose here: Website Instagram YouTube @model_me Sign up here for our future membership online launch + to join our mailing list Check out modelme: www.modelmemission.co.uk modelme is designed to empower + educate creatives, currently through our online events on instagram, through our podcast here, + our blog. 

Sabinna Rachimova is the founder + CEO of ethical fashion brand, SABINNA. I recently was introduced to Sabinna through our friends at Own-Kind, and in the weeks before lockdown in the UK we worked together in many different ways - Fran Quendler (Head of PR + Communications at SABINNA) spoke on our Clothes Swap + Sustainability Talks panel, I featured on their podcast "Connecting People", and I also dipped my toe back into modelling to shoot their lookbook.  Sabinna is a brand that I've really been inspired by lately, mainly because of the fact they are so much more than an "ethical fashion brand". They hold community close, as we do at modelme, and regularly were running workshops so that their community can understand the time it takes to, for example, crochet - recently they held a "how to create your own crochet" workshop.  I loved this podcast with Sabinna, we cover feminism to readjusting to the work-from-home-every-day life, what it was like to move to the UK from Austria + what to look out for with greenwashing!  www.sabinna.com @sabinna_com Sabinna on linkedin  Connecting People Podcast @model_me Sign up here for our future membership online launch + to join our mailing list Check out modelme: www.modelmemission.co.uk modelme is designed to empower and educate models and creatives, the modelme podcast is a place to learn and hear different insights from talented creatives from all over the world, in many different areas of the creative and fashion industry.

Eshita Kabra Davies is the incredibly inspirational Founder of By Rotation, UK's first and only fashion rental app where you can rent and lend your wardrobe. I sat with Eshita over zoom (embracing the isolation period!) and discussed the idea behind By Rotation, what it’s like to work with your husband, how she makes sure all areas of culture and diversity are covered through her talented team, and what COVID-19 means for businesses like hers. I left the podcast feeling super encouraged and truly inspired by Eshita’s thoughts and actions. The way brands and people are responding to supporting people and finding light in this crisis - brands like By Rotation, who are giving away a free rental to every NHS staff member, so they can have something extra cute to wear when this is over! - is really empowering to be part of and watch. Eshita also shared some people she is really inspired by right now, which we would love to share with you: Sharmadean Reid - Founder of Beauty Stack  Emily Weiss - Founder + CEO of Glossier  Mikaela Loach - Sustainability Activist + Medical Student!  You can find By Rotation on instagram here @byrotationofficial Eshita’s personal IG @arentyoueshita  And you can download their free app through Android and the App Store - www.byrotation.com Here's links to who Natasha recommended: @psyclelondon @bloklondon @model_me Sign up here for our future membership online launch + to join our mailing list Check out Model Me: www.modelmemission.co.uk Facebook Model Me is designed to empower and educate models and creatives, the Model Me Podcast is a place to learn and hear different insights from talented creatives from all over the world, in many different areas of the creative and fashion industry.

This weeks edition of the podcast brings the very humble, inspiring and innovative Sanjay Soni, CEO + founder of PURSU. PURSU is an energy bar that Sanjay created himself in his kitchen at home (full story on the podcast!). Sanjay has been so supportive of Model Me ever since we were introduced in Summer, PURSU is quite different to other snack bars for me - and at Model Me I'm passionate about using brands that are different; that stand out from other things on the market. What I love most about Sanjay is not just the innovation behind the ingredients in the bar but also the packaging itself - which is compostable - a decision he didn't make lightly but thought was absolutely necessary. Our friends at Pulsitos are on this right track too - creating snack packaging that is sustainable and not made from plastic.  I loved recording this podcast with Sanjay - an authentic, honest conversation about the reality of building a brand alone, from scratch, what it really means to fully believe in yourself for your project to work, and building a brand from your moments of despair. Entrepreneurs are a different breed - it takes an element of people that not everyone is built with, and as CEO of Model Me, I certainly can say myself, how encouraging it was to meet Sanjay and have such a wonderfully frank, but massively encouraging conversation. Check out Pursu online: www.pursu.co.uk Instagram @pursunutrition Our next Model Me events: Tuesday 10th December: PRESSURE, POWER, PURPOSE @ The Curtain Saturday 14th December: FITNESS EVENT with Courtney Fearon @ BXR  @model_me www.modelmemission.co.uk

Tony Longe is someone I met at the beginning of the year, through one of my actor friends, and Tony is someone we should all be watching. I knew that since the day I met him. There aren’t many people who operate like this man - which make him even more exciting to be around and witness his moves. Tony acts with a level of discipline and ambition that I personally believe is rare in today’s world - he works harder than most but also is one of the most humble men I’ve met. An incredibly talented Creative Producer who has his imagination playing in many creative projects - you’ll find yourself uttering his name next to the likes of Beats Headphones, Film 4, and Aitch... all of who he’s already worked with. Major excited to share this podcast with you + you can rest assure we’ll be doing this again. Currently in the process of maybe persuading him to be a regular guest hehe. DISCOVER TONY HERE: www.tonylonge.com @producerlonge

Get Ready!!!  Recently Model Me held 10 events over 5 days - our Be Prepared by Model Me event. We did 4 workshops (wellness, confidence, nutrition and practical modelling skills), a sustainability panel talk with Shaunie Brett, and 5 fitness events at various boutique gyms around London (Core Collective, BLOK, Victus Soul and ROWBOTS). The aim of this 5 day event was to prepare creatives for a particularly busy period in their lives - in this instance we wanted to focus on preparing models for the upcoming London Fashion Week.  This podcast here is a live recording from our Wellness Workshop with the insanely talented Kara Nothnagel - wife, mother, writer, entrepreneur, and brand specialist.  Find more info on Kara: @karanoth www.karanothnagel.com @model_me Sign up here for future events + to join our mailing list Check out Model Me: www.modelmemission.co.uk Facebook Model Me is designed to empower and educate models and creatives, the Model Me Podcast is a place to learn and hear different insights from talented creatives from all over the world, in many different areas of the creative and fashion industry.

Well!!! What an exciting podcast to deliver to you!  Huel have been so massively supportive of Model Me since April - when we began our goodie bags - one of the brands I called a "Day One-er". James McMaster is CEO of Huel, who I met personally in Soho, which is how our relationship with Huel began. Huel's growth has been nothing short of amazing and scary to witness! They have SKY-ROCKETED in the last couple years, and yet are still such a young brand at truth, having just celebrated their 4th birthday. My personal fave Huel product has got to be their RTD (ready to drink) Vanilla bottle - that features at most Model Me events. It's just too easy. I have Huel's powder at home but I always find myself reaching for a RTD than making the powder!  Loved doing this podcast with Huel - so insightful for anyone in business and of course - mega interesting hearing about what's next for this unstoppable brand... Hope you enjoy! Natasha x Find more info on Huel: @huel www.huel.com @model_me Sign up here for future events + to join our mailing list Check out Model Me: www.modelmemission.co.uk Facebook Model Me is designed to empower and educate models and creatives, the Model Me Podcast is a place to learn and hear different insights from talented creatives from all over the world, in many different areas of the creative and fashion industry. 

How can we more sustainable in our day to day life? Something I ask myself regularly - especially since we did our "Creating A Sustainable Lifestyle" Event on the 16th July at Red Bull. I really wanted to do a podcast with the incredibly innovative founders of Ocean Bottle as soon as I was introduced to them - we had Nick (co-founder and head of marketing) on the panel at our sustainability event too.  What I love about Ocean Bottle and why I feel aligned with them is because - like Model Me - they are doing stuff that other's don't dare to do (like making a bottle dishwasher proof), they are innovative and they explore their options - to see what is best for the community.  Super excited for you to hear this! You can connect with them here: @oceanbottle https://theoceanbottle.com @model_me Sign up here for future events + to join our mailing list Check out Model Me: www.modelmemission.co.uk Facebook Model Me is designed to empower and educate models and creatives, the Model Me Podcast is a place to learn and hear different insights from talented creatives from all over the world, in many different areas of the creative and fashion industry. 

Live recording from our Model Me event that we did on Monday 20th May, at The Curtain in Shoreditch, London. TOPIC:  How to grow your business as a creative How to know and value your worth Why using social media for engagement not followers should be the key driver What is the definition of luxury? What is the definition of success? SPEAKERS: Eli Ankutse Rebecca Abraham Nas Abraham  Our next Model Me Event is on Monday 29th July - Acting + Identity: Understanding your identity in the acting industry. This will also be at The Curtain, Shoreditch. You can book your place here.  @model_me Sign up here for future events + to join our mailing list Check out Model Me: www.modelmemission.co.uk Facebook Model Me is designed to empower and educate models and creatives, the Model Me Podcast is a place to learn and hear different insights from talented creatives from all over the world, in many different areas of the creative and fashion industry. 

This week's guest is one of those people that you meet and think... what can't you do?! And if he can't do it, let me tell you, he sure will know someone well, that does.  Chiko Shire is part of the collective that I mentioned a few weeks ago, that has massively inspired the Model Me journey. Cousins with Chen, who's podcast you can listen to here, Chiko is also a creative entrepreneur, who is influential entrepreneur in many areas of many industries - mainly fashion, marketing, music and art. He is the founder and director of Applying Excellence (APEX), a creative sales and digital marketing company.  Chiko's attitude and drive is something we can all learn from. I loved diving into his journey through his many paths that he excels in, as he shares how discipline is important, and making sure that while you fall in love with the journey - you also share it too, and become part of the culture that is encouraging people to see that this is not an overnight process. I'm sure you can tell already while we feel aligned with Chiko's thinking!  You can find more about Chiko here: @chikoshire Music APEX - Agency Nightlife events @model_me Sign up here for future events + to join our mailing list Check out Model Me: www.modelmemission.co.uk Facebook Model Me is designed to empower and educate models and creatives, the Model Me Podcast is a place to learn and hear different insights from talented creatives from all over the world, in many different areas of the creative and fashion industry. 

So if you’ve been to a Model Me event, or been watching and following our Instagram, you’ll know or of see one of our awesome partners, PULSITOS.  PULSITOS was found by couple Sean + Laura, originally from the UK but now living in Barcelona.  We dive into the real behind the scenes of what it’s like to build a food product from the ground up, the real nitty gritty of creating a food product that is tasty AND good for the environment, and figuring out how to make it a snack that EVERYONE can eat… Laura is a celiac, and severely so - cross contamination is a big no go for Laura. Moving to Barcelona is something the couple decided to do out of a need for accessibility when eating out - they found it incredible hard to be catered for in London. SHOUT OUT to pizza express though - who knew they’d be hot on the gluten free, cross- contamination free list!  We cover how tasty and healthy snacks is one thing… but how important and influential branding can be too. In a world where we are so surrounded by healthy snacks - how do PULSITOS separate themselves from the rest? LOVED doing this podcast with an incredibly inspiring couple. MAJOR GOALS!  PULSITOS are also crowd-funding - support the start up here PULSITOS - hear more on their story and where you can find their snacks Find Pulsitos on IG @pulsitos_uk Sign up here for future events + to join our mailing list Check out Model Me: www.modelmemission.co.uk IG _ @model_me Facebook _ Model Me Model Me is designed to empower and educate models and creatives, the Model Me Podcast is a place to learn and hear different insights from talented creatives from all over the world, in many different areas of the creative and fashion industry. 

Today's podcast is with someone who has truly inspired the Model Me journey. I think I'm gonna share the back story!!  When I first met Chen Shire, who also goes by the name Chennessy (particularly in the music world), it was alongside meeting some other wonderful humans too - Swarzy Macaly, Chiko Shire, David Ajukobe, Ben Hurst, Ola Christian... - who I actually first found out about through Julian Knxx, a poet and creative director. I met Julian with two other very talented humans - one who I've been blessed enough to work with - Dumas Haddad, and Olan Collardy, in Joe and the Juice in Central London last August. Julian spoke about Swarzy on his instagram... I started following her... massively inspired by this woman. She is certainly one to be inspired by. Through her I met our guest this week, Chen, and together all of these creatives, have really inspired me with the way they encourage and support each other, in their careers, on and offline!  Chen and I went IN on the creative industry - Chen is a very talented man; a producer, a DJ, Founder and Director of the events: *BIRDNOISE*, Surf, RILLA, Buy U A Drink... Of course - you can see why I wanted to dive in to the way Chen see's the "appetite" in London, and in other various cities - Chen works abroad regularly too, but is based in London. A hugely intriguing and intelligent character - I know you will be as fascinated as I was, listening to this podcast! Our next event is a fitness event + workshop at BLOK: sign up here Sign up here for future events + to join our mailing list Check out Model Me: www.modelmemission.co.uk IG _ @model_me Facebook _ Model Me Model Me is designed to empower and educate models and creatives, the Model Me Podcast is a place to learn and hear different insights from talented creatives from all over the world, in many different areas of the creative and fashion industry. 

The audio for this episode is taken from the Model Me event we did at Kalifornia Kitchen, on the 28th April 2019! We had so much fun at this event - it was awesome hosting at Kalifornia Kitchen with some delicious plant based brunch after our insightful, inspiring panel.  We covered how our panelists juggle their multi-careers, what they are most inspired by and how they feel they differ from others, or perhaps who the world likes to pin them up against... Our panelists were: Max Oppenheim - photographer, creative director and co-founder of BLOK Cyrus Nderitu - multi media visual artist  Kirby Anne - model and fitness instructor at Core Collective Our next Model Me event is Monday 20th May at The Curtain, you can register here. Mon 20 May _ TRENDING: NOW + NEXT  Panel discussion at The Curtain Panelists: @nas_abraham @eliankutse @rebecca_k_abraham  Panel topics: Why using social media for engagement + not followers should be the key driver _ How do we define success? _ And how do we define luxury? _ How to manage business as a creative + really know + value your worth Sign up here for future events Check out Model Me: www.modelmemission.co.uk IG _ @model_me Facebook _ Model Me To join our mailing list Model Me is designed to empower and educate models and creatives, the Model Me Podcast is a place to learn and hear different insights from talented creatives from all over the world, in many different areas of the creative and fashion industry. 

FIrst let me tell you the story of how I met the fascinating Ngoni.  Ngoni is the founder and creative director of her own brand, We Are Kin. Ngoni and I met last year in Holborn, and I have followed and admired her journey since. It was amazing to finally get the chance to sit down and pick her brain! On all things designer in today's world, the standards she has set not just for herself but her brand too, and how becoming sustainable is a trend that is not just growing, but staying too.  You can find Ngoni on Instagram _ @iamnrc + her brand's Instagram_ @wearekin.co We now run regular events in London so check out website or Instagram for more info! (and listed below)  _ Wednesday 8th May - "Trending: Now + Next 2.0" _ Soho House 76 Dean Street _ Tuesday 14th May - Barre + Yoga + Workshop _ Lululemon, Spitalfields  Model Me is partnering with Lululemon for mental health wellness week to bring you the ultimate mindset + body fix up! We will be doing a 45 minute barre class with Class Pass Teacher of the Year, and Winner of Vogue’s Best Barre Class, Ellya Sam, followed by a 45 minute yoga class. After the 90 minute barre + yoga, Model Me will be running a workshop on how to create default positive mindset habits, building a positive mental body image, and how not to lose your self identity in the creative industry. _ Monday 20th May - "Trending: Now + Next 2.1" _ The Curtain, Shoreditch  The purpose of this event “TRENDING: NOW + NEXT” is to bring the creative community together, to communicate and to learn from a panel of innovative creatives (Eli Ankutse, Rebecca Abraham and Nas Abraham), about what’s currently trending in the industry and how it’s impacting culture, and the opportunities and challenges this brings to the future for brands and creative individuals. We will also be holding a discussion unpacking the idea of "the definition of success" and "the definition of luxury”, and what it’s like to balance a creative career as a married couple.  Sign up here: https://modelmemission.co.uk/model-me-events/  Check out Model Me: www.modelmemission.co.uk IG _ @model_me Facebook _ Model Me To join our mailing list Model Me is designed to empower and educate models and creatives, the Model Me Podcast is a place to learn and hear different insights from talented creatives from all over the world, in many different areas of the creative and fashion industry. 

This week's guest is a HUGE part of Model Me! We have co-founder + director of BLOK, who is also an incredibly talented photographer - Max Oppenheim.  Max is featuring on the Model Me Panel - for our "TRENDING: NOW + NEXT" event this Sunday @ Kalifornia Kitchen - for more info click here. BLOK has been a huge inspiration to me personally, because every class I've ever done at BLOK has been nothing short of extremely empowering. The staff at the front reception are always so welcoming + friendly, it makes me look forward to just walking into the building. I've built an awesome relationship with some killer trainers there and have some classes that are a non-negotiable-I-must-do-it-weekly. Ellya Sam's barre class, Paul's boxing, and anything by Corinne + Caleb is always a KILLER! It's like having multiple personal trainers, they understand what I can stretch to, and also how to push my limits. To work with BLOK with our Model Me events was something I only once imagined - and now, we do our events their MONTHLY! If you couldn't tell - I'm VERY excited for you to hear this podcast!  Topics we discussed! _  _ the future of BLOK _ does BLOK have competition? Does it exist when you are so unique as a gym? _ the risk of building a new brand + gym in a super residential area  _ building BLOK from scratch - literally! _ the benefits of being a creative in a fitness space _ the inspiration behind one of the coolest gym spaces in London _ the challenges of being an entrepreneur in today's world We now run regular events in London so check out website or Instagram for more info! (and listed below)  _ Friday 26th April - EXCEED YOUR LIMITS _ BLOKFIT class + workshop @ BLOK Shoreditch Fitness Class: BLOKFIT - cardio / circuits. Workshop: "Building a positive frame of mind to impact your career". _ Sunday 28th April - "TRENDING: NOW + NEXT" panel discussion + brunch @ Kalifornia Kitchen Unpacking the current and next trends of the creative industry - with Max Oppenheim, Kirby Anne + Cyrus Nderitu  _ Wednesday 8th May - "TRENDING: NOW + NEXT 2.0" panel discussion @ Soho House, 76 Dean Street  Exploring the digital world + the impact social media can have on creating a powerful + visually stimulating brand - with Nas Abraham, Rebecca Abraham + Paddy Cavanagh-Butler.  Sign up here: https://modelmemission.co.uk/model-me-events/  Check out Model Me: www.modelmemission.co.uk IG _ @model_me Facebook _ Model Me To join our mailing list Model Me is designed to empower and educate models and creatives, the Model Me Podcast is a place to learn and hear different insights from talented creatives from all over the world, in many different areas of the creative and fashion industry. 

⚡ T H E  P O D C A S T  I S  B A C K ! ⚡ This episode in itself shares exactly why it's important to stay consistent in today's world with our projects - I've had so much people ask me when the podcast will return and for my own reasons, I have waited patiently for the right time to relaunch this Model Me Podcast!  We now run regular events in London so check out website or Instagram for more info! (and listed below)  This week's guest is Leonard Sekyonda, author and entrepreneur. Leonard has created My Come Up; a unique marketplace for talented freelancers, early stage startups, established companies and Investors. He also just released his first book; describe as "his journey of entrepreneurial success shows how embracing isolation and self-doubt led him to rediscover his confidence. Join Leonard Sekyonda, CEO of MYCOMEUP.COM, as he teaches you how to re-create and re-discover yourself so you can progress, succeed and get back in the driver’s seat of your own journey." Which you can buy here.  Topics we discussed!  _Consistency over perfection   _How entrepreneurs can learn to be kinder to themselves _Finding the right social media channel for you and your brand  _Watching no one else's moves and rather focusing on your own _Finding ultimate blind faith    You can check out his new book on Amazon here His platform: www.mycomeup.com _ IG: @mycomeupworld His personal IG is: https://www.instagram.com/leonardsekyonda/  UPCOMING MODEL ME EVENTS: Tuesday 16th April - Barre class + workshop @ BLOK Shoreditch Friday 26th April - BLOKFIT class + workshop @ BLOK Shoreditch Sunday 28th April - workshop + brunch "TRENDING: NOW + NEXT" - unpacking the current and next trends of the creative industry @ Kalifornia Kitchen Sign up here: https://modelmemission.co.uk/model-me-events/  Check out Model Me: www.modelmemission.co.uk IG _ @model_me Facebook _ Model Me To join our mailing list: eepurl.com/dLerzc Model Me is designed to empower and educate models and creatives, the Model Me Podcast is a place to learn and hear different insights from talented creatives from all over the world, in many different areas of the creative and fashion industry.