Paragon Interview
Pamela Allier
PARAGON
Happy Tuesday my dear ones!! Today´s post its pretty special because it´ll be my first interview for the blog.
During last MBFW Mexico edition, I spent quite some time with the lovely partners of Paragon Model Management, Mexico´s number one model agency. Both David Souza and Johann Mergenthaler are both lovely, enchanting, and after a few minutes talking to them you can realize why in almost seven years after founding Paragon in Mexico, they´ve become not only Mexico´s best Model Agency, but also strong references in Mexico´s Fashion industry. Following the recent appearence of one of Paragon´s Models in both the NYFW (Marc Jacobs) and Paris Fashion Week (Cèline, John Galliano), it seems the perfect timing to get to know their story better.
Paragon´s story of success starts back in NY when David was working at a model agency about seven years ago. After noticing that the NY fashion industry asked for models from all around the world, David noticed that mexican models were missing. After some thinking, David decided to pack his things and return to Mexico to work at a model agency. It was just after a couple of months, that David realized that maybe, mexican agencies were not looking for the right kind of girls after all. After some brain storming with his friend and model Johann, they both decided to start something new; Paragon.
All sucess stories have the most interesting kick-offs. In a market with big and long-time established players, starting something new is always a huge challenge, but both David and Johann knew that with lots of work, dedication and love for what they did, eventually they could achieve their dreams; to put mexican models and fashion in the world´s most important runways.
Today Paragon´s challenge is not only to maintian theirselves at the top, but also to continue to export mexican talent and models to the international runways. Being at the top seems not to worry Johann and David, instead, they´re all about daily hard work, about reinventing themselves, reinventing Paragon and adapting themselves to the new and quick changing times.
Along Paragon, other members of the Fashion community in Mexico have also grown apart from the pack. Important designers have established themselves within the fashion industry as key players and now that the mexican market is growing up in a fashion sense, we´re starting to see people from outside the fashion world recognizing mexican fashion.
After speaking to David and Johan, I´m excited of what´s ahead for Mexican Fashion in the future. A lot of talent, a lot of ideas, and a lot of space to grow and put Mexico´s higher in the international world of fashion industry.
http://www.paragonmodelmanagement.com/
Dress: H&M / Booties: Dolce Vita / Necklace: Madewell
With love,
Pamela Allier
PARAGON
Feliz Martes!!! El post de hoy es especial ya que quiero compartir con ustedes la entrevista que hice para PARAGON.
Empezo hace ya casi 7 años y hoy es considerada la mejor agencia de modelos en Mexico.
Paragon nacio obedeciendo la inquietud y frustacion de David Souza al trabajar en una agencia de modelos en Nueva York y tratar con puras modelos internacionales y ninguna mexicana. Persiguiendo el sueño regreso a Mexico a trabajar en una agencia en la que muy pronto se dio cuenta que el estándar de belleza de la niña mexicana no era el que se buscaba en las principales capitales de la moda en el mundo. Siendo asi decidio arriesgarlo todo y abrir su propia agencia y buscar nuevas modelos. Despues de que platicaron sus inquietudes respecto a las modelos mexicanas y el talento desaprovechado que existia, se integró como socio un amigo model de David que se llama Johann Mergenthaler. Paragon tuvo un comienzo difícil, en parte porque sus socios son muy jóvenes y en parte porque en México normalmente tenemos el erróneo concepto que todo lo nuevo es malo, pero tras mucho esfuerzo y buen trabajo, David y Johann no solo rompieron esquemas, sino demostraron que sin miedo al fracaso y con trabajo, esfuerzo y talento se puede tener una historia de éxito.
Respecto de la moda mexicana, ambos coinciden que está en un punto decisivo y muy importante. Con una generación de diseñadores con mucho talento y empuje, hoy por fin, al consumidor mexicano se le empieza a quitar lo malinchista y empieza a reconocerlos y a comprarles su ropa. Son una generación que además de ser amigos estamos seguros que harán historia.
Hoy Paragon sin duda es la número uno en México. Con modelos que están triunfando en las pasarelas de NY y París en marcas como Marc Jacobs, Celine, Galliano el reto no solamente es mantenerse en la cima, sino reinventarse y lograr México y sus modelos estén presentes en Londres, NY, Paris y Milán. Les deseo buen inicio de semana.
http://www.paragonmodelmanagement.com/
Vestido: H&M / Botines: Dolce Vita / Collar: Madewell
Les mando besos,
Pamela Allier