Fashion Models [Search results for Ieva Laguna] 

Dandy Model Management entrance. Riga, Latvia is full of so many different types of architectural references as you can see from the rooftop of this building, which is Parisian in reference.

During the Soviet Era, all the designers were based out the building that Dandy Model Management is currently headquartered in.

Nils Raumanis, founder of Dandy Model Management. Nils discovered Ginta Lapina and Ieva Laguna among other top models.

THEN: Dmitrijis Kopeikins as a model

NOW: Dmitrijis is now the Director of Dandy Models, while Nils focuses on the scouting end of the business.

Dandy Models is a boutique high fashion modeling agency run in Riga. It's run like a true New York agency, profiting from campaigns and bookings, as opposed to model training schools, a common approach in the Baltics. Dandy is #1 in the Baltics for male model representation.

Ginta Lapina

Dandy's Dog

A motorcycle motif theme runs throughout the offices.

I just got back to New York from a Baltic State tour including Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. While in Riga, I had the opportunity to visit with the Dandy Model Management Team, the mother agency to Ginta Lapina and Ieva Laguna.

The one thing that impressed me most about Dandy Model Management beyond the fact that their founder Nils discovered Ginta Lapina and Ieva Laguna, was how their agency plans to integrate the internet with it's agency goals. Click for a LIVE STREAM of their agency office as a case in point or have a visit to their web site HERE.

I'll be shooting more behind the scenes action including tonights Victoria's Secret show, so stay tuned for fresh updates!

The always predictably friendly and sweet Ieva Laguna.

From the last day of shows in Milan. Everyone is now getting ready for the final stretch of fashion month which also happens to be the most intense too -- Paris, the land where dreams are made and achieved. Hopefully this season I'll finally be able to get a clean shot of Kate Moss.

Anna Wintour at the Roberto Cavalli show in Milan

ieva lagūna (PREMIER London) after the Topshop Unique show at LFW

Ieva has really got one of the best attitudes of the recent break through newcomers I've met lately. Considering that she's already walked Burberry, Christopher Kane, and Topshop Unique in London as well as Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, and Marni in Milan, it won't surprise me if we see her in the major shows for Paris as well--in the short term.

In the long term with her great attitude, it won't surprise me if we see a lot more of her, as a great attitude gives a solid base for longevity in the modeling industry.

THEN: September 2009, fresh into her FIRST season

NOW: November 2011, walks the Victoria's Secret show

Now that I've been doing this for awhile, it's sometimes nice to appreciate how I've watched girls evolve through the realities (read brutalities of last minute confirmations, 2 am fittings, casting rejections) of their first runway season into eventual top models. Ieva is a great example. Hope she shares some of her new wealth with me cuz I sure could use a new Hasselblad H4D-50 camera ;))

After the Derek Lam show at the Fall/Winter 2010 New York Fashion Week shows.

At the Spring/Summer 2018 London Fashion Week shows.

Ieva debuted the Paris catwalks at the Spring/Summer 2018 shows with walks down Louis Vuitton and Chanel. She filled in the off season with a British Vogue editorial and a Top Shop campaign among others. She's walked a choice selection of New York shows from Jason Wu to Rag and Bone and Derek Lam.

So when I did my Baltic State "tour" I dropped off to get the inside scoop on the state of Baltic Fashion straight from the "horses mouth" (an American phrase) at Dandy Model Management. Nils, the model management founder (on left), made some coffee while we talked about everything from discovering Ginta Lapina and Ieva Laguna to the politics of fashion in Riga, Latvia. It was interesting to note the differences in challenges between a smaller mother agency faces versus the bigger agencies in New York. Click the above photo to take you to the Dandy Blog feature regarding my visit.

Anna Wintour

Maryna Linchuk

Ieva Laguna (Women Milan)
outerwear -- Derek Lam