Irene Marie's Blog

Teddy John voted your favorite Irene Marie Model

After a month-long competition, Teddy John was voted your Favorite Irene Marie Model. Dozens of fans voted throughout March for their favorite model. In second place was the other star of MTV's 8th&Ocean, Britt Koth. Make sure to view the special video Teddy recorded thanking his fans.

Who is your favorite Irene Marie Model?

All this month we are asking our friends to let us know who their favorite Irene Marie Model is. Is it Teddy? Britt? Vinci? Brett? or someone else? We want to know!

Visit our MySpace photo albums and click on COMPS. Leave a comment on the photo of your favorite model.

We will announce the winner at the end of the month. The winner will be interviewed for a special featured blogpost.

Click the images below to visit the Comps gallery:

Irene Marie Model - Tom Pricone

Irene Marie Model Tom Pricone has been with our agency for over 20 years. Q Models in New York wrote a great feature about it, mentioning how he was discovered and developed by Irene. Below is an excerpt from the story:

I think when you look at Tom Pricone you instantly think "yep, he's a model". I mean it's pretty obvious. He is extremely good looking, has an amazing body and a great fun attitude. He is slightly older (he's 43 years old), 6'1" tall, Italian American, and impeccably dressed. With all these great attributes you would think he knows how good looking he is, but he is very humble and still surprised at how blessed he is.

Pricone began his life in Conneticut, where he grew up and attended college. His early fascination with karate consumed him, eventually leading him to compete and teach martial arts. In 1986 at 26 years old, he moved to South Florida with his brother and the hopes of opening a karate school. One day a guy approached him about his interest in modeling, laughing it off at first, Pricone eventually wandering into Irene Marie Models (when it was located in Ft. Lauderdale, before its South Beach incarnation). I totally didn't know what I was doing," Pricone admits. "I was very uncomfortable and I hated having my picture taken. But the next thing I knew, I was at Bal Harbor in a salon getting my haircut and then went to Key Biscayne to shoot Interview Magazine, with photographer Al David. It was all beach stuff and I was very shy about it all. When it came out I was stunned, I had a full page with my name on it."

But he didn't pursue it any further and returned home to Connecticut where he entered the restaurant business for seven years before returning to South Florida. Upon his return in 1992, now 32 years old, he investigated modeling again and wandered back into Irene Marie where he met up with men's director Tino Baretta. On the second time around, Pricone began to feel more comfortable, now traveling to Milan, NY, and  Germany.

To read the full story, click here
 

 

Introducing Michele

Name: Michele
Birthplace:San Reno,Italy
Division: Men’s Fashion/High Fashion
Favorite Designer: Dolce & Gabanna

After a successful career as a professional soccer player, Michele decided to hang up his cleets and take on the family business - flowers. Michele's family runs an Italian based floral exporting company. Michele traveled the world to find new clients for his business. It was on one of his sales trips to South Beach that he was scouted by Irene Marie. Irene discovered Michele eating at the Johnny Rockets in our building. The tall, dark and handsome Italian was flattered to be scouted by Irene and decided to give modeling a chance. Within two weeks he booked 944 editorial and French catalogues. Welcome to the family Michele!

Irene Marie Model Erica Kern featured on Maxim.com

Our good friend Kelly Stuart from Maxim.com put together a great piece featuring Irene Marie Model, Erica Kern. Erica was selected as Maxim.com's first 'Model Citizen'. Make sure to check it out by clicking here.

Irene Marie's 'Smartest Model', Brett Novek

Name: Brett Novek
Birthplace: Hollywood, Florida
Division: Men's Fashion/TV&Film
Favorite Designer: Gucci

You probably know Brett as 'the hot one' from this season of VH1's hit reality series, America's Most Smartest Model. On the show, Brett won more academic and modeling challenges than any other model. Brett might have had a slight advantage though, having a degree in Marketing and being a campaign level model (Papi Underwear) definitely prepared him for all of the challenges thrown at him during ..Smartest Model. We sat down with Brett to share some more information on your favorite reality TV star.

Where is your family from?
My Mom was born in Connecticut and my Dad in Pennsylvania. My family is Jewish, Mazel Tov!

Brothers/sisters?
I have one brother Craig. He is 2 years and 8 months older than me. He's my best friends. Love that kid.

What did you do before modeling?
I was a student at the University of Central Florida, studying Marketing. I enjoyed it, but school stressed me out a lot. I always had to get good grades for myself.

Where were you scouted?
Gregg Avedon, one of the biggest models in the business, works out at the same gym as me. We started talking one day. He took my information to an agency. They took polaroids of me and set me up with a test shoot with Scott Teitler. The rest is history!

If you weren’t a model what would you be doing?
I would probably be working with my Dad, which I wouldn't really mind. It is just not my passion to be in the window treatment business haha.

What is your dream campaign?
I would love to work for Calvin Klein. That man makes careers. Maybe a fragrance for him. I met him once; he is a really nice guy. 

Do you want to get into acting full-time?
Yes, but I would not want to give up modeling - its too much fun!. Acting is great though, because you can actually work on a skill. You can't really practice modeling. It is subjective.
 
If you could land any role, what would it be?
I would love to be on a TV show, a drama probably. I like being serious on camera, because I'm not so serious in life.

What is your motto?
You miss 100% of the shots you don't take.

Introducing Crispin

Name: Crispin
Birthplace:Suhl,Germany
Division: Men’s Fashion/High Fashion
Favorite Designer: DSquared2

Crispin was scouted in a barber shop in Germany by a small local modeling agency. After several months of local bookings, Crispin decided to relocate to a larger market more suited to developing his look. As an avid fan of MTV's 8^th&Ocean, Crispin decided to fly to Miami Beach to try his luck during our open call – he was signed that same day. The former semi-professional basketball player has already booked Japanese fashion catalogues and is the featured model in the new South Pole campaign. Crispin’s motto is ‘straight to the top’. He hopes to continue his newfound success for many years, ideally booking campaigns for his favorite clothing line – DSquared2.