 | Starting only some years ago as a model in her home country, the Netherlands, today Laura Verloop is owner of the model agency Dutch Model Management in Izmir, Turkey. We got the chance for an interview with this amazing model and agency boss and like to provide you some impressions of her work: |
Laura, please tell us a little bit about yourself to begin with. (How old are you, where were you born and where do you live now, what is your profession and do you have other besides modeling business?
I'm Laura Charlie Elise Verloop, 23 years old. I was born in Holland (Nijmegen) and right now i live in beautiful Izmir (Turkey). I run my own model agency in Izmir with my partner Deniz Kurt.
How did you start in the modeling business?
I started when i was 16 years old. I was looking on the internet for photographers. I found a page and started writing them. I got a lot of positive comments and that's how the ball started to roll. I became more motivated and worked hard on my book. After 2 years of investing my time, i had enough courage to apply with an agency. It started with promotional jobs and when i was 18 i started doing direct jobs in other countries. At the age of 19 i went to Istanbul and i fell in love with the city. I understood from that point that Turkey could offer me the best opportunities.
I'm Laura Charlie Elise Verloop, 23 years old. I was born in Holland (Nijmegen) and right now i live in beautiful Izmir (Turkey). I run my own model agency in Izmir with my partner Deniz Kurt.
How did you start in the modeling business?
I started when i was 16 years old. I was looking on the internet for photographers. I found a page and started writing them. I got a lot of positive comments and that's how the ball started to roll. I became more motivated and worked hard on my book. After 2 years of investing my time, i had enough courage to apply with an agency. It started with promotional jobs and when i was 18 i started doing direct jobs in other countries. At the age of 19 i went to Istanbul and i fell in love with the city. I understood from that point that Turkey could offer me the best opportunities.
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How did you start Dutch Model Management and why?
I started Dutch Model Management 6 months ago. After modeling for years, i felt like i had to make a choice. I graduated from Hotel Management and that would be a waste not to do anything with this background. So it came to my mind to combine modeling and entrepreneurship. My boyfriend is from Turkey and he helped me a lot. I told him that i didn't wanted to leave him, so i had to continue as a model or find a regular job in Turkey. Then it came my mind of starting my own agency and run it in a 'Dutch way'. Me and my partner build it up together. Its not only 'caviar & champagne' to run your own business, but we made a nice first step. My partner owns a advertisement agency in Izmir, so this is perfect for me, because he has a lot of clients.
I started Dutch Model Management 6 months ago. After modeling for years, i felt like i had to make a choice. I graduated from Hotel Management and that would be a waste not to do anything with this background. So it came to my mind to combine modeling and entrepreneurship. My boyfriend is from Turkey and he helped me a lot. I told him that i didn't wanted to leave him, so i had to continue as a model or find a regular job in Turkey. Then it came my mind of starting my own agency and run it in a 'Dutch way'. Me and my partner build it up together. Its not only 'caviar & champagne' to run your own business, but we made a nice first step. My partner owns a advertisement agency in Izmir, so this is perfect for me, because he has a lot of clients.
What’s a typical day like for a booker?
Our booker is working right next to me. She is calling to clients, emailing and updating everyone. Goes to appointments with me. She translates for me, because my Turkish is unfortunately not perfect.. Also she is writing to our girls and at the same time she is like a big sister.
  | How do you renew talent in such a fast-paced and competitive industry? Me and my partner work with some agencies and they propose us beautiful girls. We find also a lot of girls on Facebook. For us measurements and face are very important, because we don't look for 'the standard' model. We need girls with size 36/38. I always choose the girls by myself and communicate this with my partner. Is there a special formula to find the right model for a specific campaign? It depends on what kind of campaign of course.. In Izmir we shoot a lot of dresses and bridal. We always look for a girl with a sweet and soft facial expression. The right measurements for here are: 84/90-62/67-92/97. Also energy is very important i guess. If the model has positive energy you can feel it and see it when you get the results of the pictures. What are the changes you have seen in the industry throughout your career and what has changed? I'm not sure if i haven't seen any changes, because i always focused on my work in Istanbul. |
Do a lot of new faces come to you via social media?
Yes, that's how we most of the time approach them. It is very helpful.
What would be your definition of beauty?
My definition of beauty is a girl with a natural face, brains, positive energy, motivated and knows what she wants in life.
Any advice to give to aspiring models?
I want to tell them, not to change for anyone. If you feel happy with the way you are, you should never change it. There is a market for everyone. Besides that, dream big!
Yes, that's how we most of the time approach them. It is very helpful.
What would be your definition of beauty?
My definition of beauty is a girl with a natural face, brains, positive energy, motivated and knows what she wants in life.
Any advice to give to aspiring models?
I want to tell them, not to change for anyone. If you feel happy with the way you are, you should never change it. There is a market for everyone. Besides that, dream big!
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What are the rewarding aspects of your job?
Meeting amazing people. Also the fact that hard works pays off. (literally and figuratively) ;-)
Your favourite designer is… ?
Karl Lagerfeld
Vogue or Harper’s Bazaar?
Vogue!
Is there any particular designer piece you are crushing on right now?
It might sound strange, but nothing really came up. The only obsession is have are Pomellato rings. I love them! They're elegant and timeless.
Meeting amazing people. Also the fact that hard works pays off. (literally and figuratively) ;-)
Your favourite designer is… ?
Karl Lagerfeld
Vogue or Harper’s Bazaar?
Vogue!
Is there any particular designer piece you are crushing on right now?
It might sound strange, but nothing really came up. The only obsession is have are Pomellato rings. I love them! They're elegant and timeless.
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What do you hope to be doing in the next 5 years?
I hope my agency will be successful. I don't want to become the biggest, as long as i have fun and run it in a structured way. Me and the girls are like family and i love this feeling. When they work, they work hard, but in home we all come together as sisters.
If you could be anywhere else but here, where would you go?
I would be in Canada to visit my family together with my dad.
Credits for the photos: Deniz Kurt
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