London, England, United Kingdom
After taking time out to launch her successful interiors business, she is now back on the beat, scouting new faces for fashion and beauty campaigns, as well as a roster of respected agencies.
Ellis Eye is a boutique Interior design company launched in 2011 by Fiona Ellis (allias Ellis). Fiona Ellis left the world of modeling in 2010 to pursue her passion for interiors thus continuing to use her instinctual talent for discovering beautiful things. Ellis Eye Interiors combines Fiona passion for beauty, with her love of antiques and home furnishings. No surprise that the results are ravishing. ‘Renowned for her recognizable bohemian flair and unique eclectic style, using a mix of boudoir beauty and feminine sophistication.’ Harpers Bazaar.
In a lengthy career Ellis has fulfilled the role of runner, agent, scout, director, and co founder of Independent Models. In 2003 Ellis, Tori Edwardes & Gavin Myall set up the model's 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. Looking after stellar names such as Helena Christensen,Claudia Schiffer,Natalia Vodianova, Elizebeth Hurley,Iman,Erin O'Connar,Karen Elson,Georgia Jagger as well as a vast array of Ellis' young finds like Elinor Weeden, Amber Anderson, Carrie Anne Burton.
From Ellis’ perch on the new faces board, she saw the modeling industry evolve. Television, Press and model searches & events had become paramount to the agencies success and Ellis was instrumental in creating these new & exciting opportunities. With the experience gained from a career spanning 24 years. Ellis loved to share her knowledge, a vivacious character and undeniable people person, led to 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. A regular on GMTV 'This Morning' with Judy & Richard and then LK Today. Ellis also worked alongside Johnny & Denise on the 'Big Breakfast' over a period of 4 years with the 'Find Me A Model' search. A connoisseur on beauty and looks her valued opinions shared on E Entertainment, discussing the models, actresses & celebrities of today. 'Eagled Eyed Ellis' as she is referred to in The Times,also offered her expertise to Coleen Rooney in the ITV series 'Coleens Real Women' and appeared in 'The Agent' - a 6 part series for RTE which followed Ellis to Paris,London & New York mentoring & developing a group of young hopefuls. As well as taking the lead role, she also played a key part in the production of the series. Although not a TV search Ellis was particularly proud with her collaboration with Topshop & their model search 'Face Of The Future.' It took 4 years to come to fruition and finally Jane Shepherdson agreed.Ellis was the first model agent to have exclusive access to scout in the flagship store in Oxford Circus & nationwide.It was the beginning of a great relationship & many successful models! Scouting abroad to find great international talent was also a huge part of Ellis's role.Ellis travelled all over the world with polaroid camera in hand, from Brazil to the Baltic States …in pursuit of the beautiful & extraordinary!
Started in the late 60's Models One's past boasts a pedigree of famous names.There was Sue Murray (discovered by David Bailey),Patti D'Arbanville,who was the muse for Cat Stevens' song Lady D'Arbanville,Marisa Berinson, Ingrid Boulting who was the face of Biba, Jan De Villeneuve, Clio Goldsmith, Barbera Carrera, Amanda Pays, Greta Scaachi, Sophie Ward, Jerry Hall,Marie Helvin,Yasmin Le Bon, Gail Elliot, Cecilia Chancellor, Linda Evangelist & many more. I joined Models One in 1986 as a ‘Girl Friday’ assisting the agents on the booking desk and organising appointments and castings for the models. I enjoyed working with the young models and found my path discovering, nurturing and developing the new talent within the agency and working alongside the up and coming photographers, make up artists, stylists and creative crew of the day. In 1990 I set up the first New Faces Division in Europe. Discovering supermodel Erin O'Connar & Karen Elson (described by Karl Lagerfeld as the resolutely model look of women at the end of this millennium') & Alek Wek, of whom I was responsible for her transformation 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”). With in a short period my eye had become a key player in redefining the conventional philosophy of beauty and named alongside Kate Moss, Mario Testino and Vivienne Westwood in Elle’s 100 names in fashion.