Jed: Please tell us, what are the qualities you look for in a model? Particularly male models?
Sergio: I always look for something new- a different set of eyes, a special smile, something inside. It maybe the way a person talk and walk...Of course, they need to be in good shape and there is a feeling of being new...fresh!
Jed: How young should one start to model? How important is a model's age? If someone is already 25 years old, is it too late for him to become a model?
Sergio: The best age for a star is 16 years old for the girls and 17 for the boys. But sometimes, there are exception to the rule, as in the case of Paulo Zulu, already 28 years old when I discovered him. In just 2 months, he was in Paris and doing the shows and shooting for top editorials!
Jed: Tell us more about your job as the International Manager for the agency Mega Models? How different is working today for the modeling industry compared to when you work for Elite in the 1980s?
Sergio: When I first started with Elite, everything was new, including myself! I have no bookers to teach me and I discovered how to go about my work all by myself. Of course, John Casablancas was my teacher! I went to International contests, where I learned a lot about what kind of gilrs will become supermodels! I asked John Casablanacs so many questions and it was him who help me understand what I should look for in a model.
Now that I am with Mega Models, I have more experience and I do a lot of direct bookings with some very special clients.
Jed: What makes Brazil one of the most successful fashion capitals to produce so many top models? Why are the Brazilians some of the most successful models today?
Sergio: The Brazilians are from a diverse, mixed races- Black, Indian, Italian, Portuguese, German...That makes the Brazilian unique and different. There is that special way of smile, of talking, walking, dancing...
Jed: Tell us in your own point of view and experience, the differences and unique qualities of these fashion capitals? How important are these cities to a male model's career?
Sergio: Milan is good for editorials and shows, while Paris is great for doing fashion campaigns. New York is where everything happens! Tokyo is not as good as it was in the 1980s, but still a great way for models to earn money! London is for a special breed of models.
Jed: Who is Sergio Mattos? What are your likes and dislikes? What are your interests in life?
Sergio: I came from a small city in Bahia, went to Rio when I was just 7 years old and fell in love with fashion eversince. At the age of 19, I move to Sao Paulo and start discovering models, some of whom are already famous today.
I like the fashion industry, but sometimes I think that some fashion people are cold, rude... I like what I do and I know that I was instrumental in helping a lot of people in the past- even influential in changing their lives!
Jed: What would you consider the most difficult part of your job as a talent manager/model agent? What's the best parts
Sergio: Some bad experiences include discovering models with great potentials but they were "pirated" by other agents, which is unethical, and what I consider the worst practice in the fashion business. The best part include being mentioned by top models in their interviews as someone who helped them gain the success they now have!
[ Click on any image to view | Anna Beatriz Barros, Isabeli Fontana and Alessandra Ambrosio ]
Jed: Please tell us some stories about some of your talents: How did you discover them? What are some of their latest work? Ana Beatriz Barros, Alessandra Ambrosio, Isabelli Fontana, Eduardo Braun, João Vellutini, Antonio Pedro, Thyago Alves, Tony Dias and Rodrigo Hilbert...
Sergio: Ana Beatriz Barros , as I recall, was a shy girl with a baby face, and now she is one of the most popular girl for Victoria Secret. I also remember Daniella Sarahyba, Alessandra Ambrosio and Isabeli Fontana.
Some of the top guys are: Eduardo Braun, who did the Gucci campaign and did some of the best shows in Milan and Paris.
[ Click image to view | Joao Vellutini at the Dsquared F/W 2007 ]
Joao Vellutini, another top model, did Valentino and CK1 with Mario testino. Aside from these two top campaigns, Joao made Buffalo Jeans and walk the runways for some of the top designers in Milan, Paris and here in Sao Paulo.
Another name I must mention is Antonio Pedro. He did the cover for L'Uomo Vogue and a Dolce and Gabbana campaign.
Of course, Thyago Alves for the Versace campaign and a lot of top shows in Milan.
How can I forget Tony Dias! The list of his work include Carolina Herrera Parfum, Givenchy, Salvatore Ferragamo and editorials foer American Vogue.
Finally, one who is now successful here Rodrigo Hilbert!
The new guys include Felipe Hulse and Edgar Graca Mello. Edgar did Valentino, again with Mario Testino.
For the girls, one of the most promising is Viviane Surgek. She was the winner of the Mega contest and I have the feeling that they are going to be stars!
Jed: Finally, what are your plans for the future?
Sergio: Of course, discover more models! Travel a lot!
