Legendary model scout Fiona Ellis has been in the industry for over 20 years and is named alongside Kate Moss, Mario Testino and Vivienne Westwood in Elle’s 100 names in fashion. In a lengthy career Ellis has fulfilled the role of runner, agent, scout, director, and co-founder of Independent. Ellis joined Models 1 in 1986 as a ‘Girl Friday’, but soon found her path and set up the first New Faces
division in Europe. Famed for discovering international supermodel Erin O’Connor. Ellis is also responsible for the careers of Karen Elson, (described by Karl Lagerfeld as ‘the resolutely model look of women at the end of this millennium’) and Alek Wek, of whom Ellis was responsible for her transition from ‘Sudanese refugee to Supermodel’.(Oprah Winfrey told Alek, “If you had been on magazine covers when I was growing up, I would have had a different concept of who I was”). Within a short period Ellis’ eye had become a key player in redefining the conventional philosophy of beauty.In 2003 Ellis left Models 1 to set up the models’ subsidiary of Independent (formally ICM). Ellis’ flair for scouting and developing new talent, combined with Tori Edwards expertise in managing the girls, quickly established them as one of the highest profile agencies in the world. They looked after stellar names such as Helena Christensen, Claudia Schiffer, Erin O’Connor, Natalia Vodianova, Carmen Kass,
Harpers Bazaar
and the Jagger girls as well as a vast array of Ellis’ young finds who will undoubtedly be the stars of the future. With the experience gained from a career spanning 24 years. Harpers
Bazaar rightly refer to her as ‘a bona – fide expert on beauty’. Ellis loves to share her knowledge, she has such a vivacious character and is undeniably a people person, which has lead
her to the beginning of a lucrative TV career. She began
on CNN as an industry spokesperson, appeared in “The Model, The Poster & 3000 women’, as well as ‘The Worlds Greatest
Supermodel’, (both produced by shine) and ‘This Model Life’ by award winning director Jane Treays. Ellis has now become a regular on LK Today, and as a connoisseur on beauty and looks her
valued opinions are shared on E! Entertainment, discussing the models, actresses and celebrities of today. ‘Eagle Eyed Ellis’ as she referred to in the times, also offered her expertise to
Coleen on her new ITV series ‘Coleens Real Women’. Ellis’ latest project is ‘The Agent’, which is a six part series commissioned by RTE. The programme follows Ellis to Ireland, London,
Paris and New York as she finds, nurtures and develops a group of young hopefuls. With her creative finesse Ellis played a key part in the production of the series as well as being ‘The
Agent’. Assistant Commissioning Editor of Lifestyle, RTE TV, Naimh Farren said: ‘As Ireland’s national broadcaster, we cater for a wide variety of audiences and the series was more than a
true success!’ Each episode shows Ellis’ spirited personality and confidence as well as proving the compassionate attitude she is renowned for. As Erin O’Connor fittingly states ‘Ellis is
a force to be reckoned with’.
