Irene Marie

Irene Marie (born August 22, 1950 in Miami Beach, Florida) is an American businesswoman and former fashion model. Founder of the eponymous South Beach model agency Irene Marie Models. Marie and her agency were the subject of the MTV series 8th & Ocean. Marie is referred to as The Grand Dame of Modeling.[1] [2] Marie is the former chair of the Dade Film and Print Advisory Board[3] and has served as a modeling industry expert on CNN.[4][5]

Irene Marie
Born (1950-08-22) August 22, 1950
Miami Beach, Florida, United States
Occupationentrepreneur, modeling agency president
WebsiteIrene Marie official website

City Models

In 1974, Irene met her future husband, Patrick Marie, while on vacation in Miami Beach. Soon after, Patrick introduced Irene to his cousin; the owner of Paris-based City Models. City Models was seeking to place a group of their models in Miami, and requested Irene's assistance in finding a suitable agency. City Models was dissatisfied with the regional scope of the agencies in Miami,[6] and proposed to Marie to open a branch of City Models in Florida. In 1980, City Models Florida opened in Ft. Lauderdale as one of the first exclusive model and talent agency in South Florida.[7]

Irene Marie Models

For the first time a Florida agency was taking an international perspective to the fashion industry. Marie's contacts in Europe allowed her to persuade foreign photographers and designers to produce their campaigns in Florida, from Palm Beach to the art deco oasis of Miami Beach. In 1983 the name of the agency was changed to Irene Marie Models and by 1988 had outgrown its location in Ft. Lauderdale.

In 1989 Marie decided to move her agency South to South Beach to meet her client's demand for the golden light, inexpensive hotels, and undiscovered scenery.[8][9] She moved her agency to the former Sunray Apartments (made famous by the chainsaw scene in the movie Scarface (1983 film)) located at 728 Ocean Drive.

The agency continued to grow during the early 1990s with the discovery and development of talent such as Niki Taylor[10][4][9] (L'Oréal, Elle, Vogue, CoverGirl), Amber Smith (Wonder Bra, Sports Illustrated), Michael Ostheim (Esprit, Armani), and Britt Bradford (Versace).

In 1993 Marie opened agency branches in Atlanta, Tampa and was the first Florida based modeling agency to ever open in New York. During this period Irene represented the top models in the business including Marcus Schenkenberg, Kimora Lee, Beverly Peele and Anna Nicole Smith. In 1997 Marie became a founding mentor for the Women of Tomorrow Mentor and Scholarship Program, an organization established by Jennifer Valoppi aimed at motivating at-risk young women to live up to their full potential through mentoring.[11]

Over the next decade, Marie continued to discover and develop talent including Cindy Taylor, Galen Gering and David Fumero. In 2006, Marie along with MTV launched the hit reality television series 8th & Ocean which chronicled the lives of 10 models and their relationship with Marie and her staff.[12] In 2007 Marie received the key to the City of Miami Beach in recognition of her cultural and commercial contribution to the development of the city.[13] The City's proclamation declared July 11 Irene Marie Day in the City of Miami Beach.[13] In 2008, Irene's agency was given a similar distinction with December 13 being proclaimed Irene Marie Models Day. The agency closed in 2009 due to the effects of the worldwide economic recession.[14]

Television appearances
YearTitleRoleNotes
20068th & OceanHerselfReality show (10 episodes)

References
  1. Hagwood, Rob Stafford (January 25, 2009). "Tips from Miami's Grand Dame of Modeling". Sun Sentinel. Tribune Publishing. Retrieved May 30, 2016.
  2. Hoag, Christina (12 February 2007). "The Grand Dame of Modeling". Miami Herald.
  3. Due, Tanaraive (13 November 1994). "Real Models Inc. and the Women Who Started it on South Beach". Miami Herald.
  4. Hoag, Christina (12 February 2007). "The Grand Dame of Modeling". Miami Herald.
  5. Marie, Irene. "Model Image". CNN (Interview). Interviewed by Susan Roesgen.
  6. Kelley, Lane (February 2, 1987). "Owner Strives to Make Modeling Agency a 10". Sun Sentinel. Tribune Publishing. Retrieved May 30, 2016.
  7. Kelley, Lane (2 February 1987). "Owner Strives to Make Modeling Agency a 10". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved 30 May 2016.
  8. Due, Tananarive (November 13, 1994). "Real Models Inc and the Women Who Started it on south Beach". The Miami Herald. Knight Ridder.
  9. Powers, Jacquelynn (July 2008). "Model Mogul". Miami Beach: Ocean Drive Magazine. Cite magazine requires |magazine= (help)
  10. Due, Tananarive (13 November 1994). "Real Models Inc and the Women Who Started it on south Beach". Miami Herald.
  11. Valdemoro, Tania (18 December 2008). "Beautiful Lessons". Miami Herald. Retrieved 6 August 2013.
  12. Chang, Daniel (21 February 2006). "MTV PEERS INTO LIFE OF YOUNG, BEAUTIFUL". Miami Herald.
  13. "Irene Marie Receives the Key to the City of Miami Beach". MiamiBeachTube. Archived from the original on 6 August 2013. Retrieved 6 August 2013.
  14. Cordle, Ina Paiva (8 February 2009). "Irene Marie Modeling shuts down, may file for bankruptcy". Miami Herald.
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