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How does an IT student become a
fashion event company director?
Many people might think I made
a drastic change by moving into
fashion and event management
after my IT degree, but I person-
ally believe everything I learnt in
IT is highly beneficial for my cur-
rent job. If I had to go back and do
it all over again, I would still choose
the same path. IT, together with
my marketing knowledge, gives
me a clear vision of the pros
and cons when I make critical
decisions. In today’s high tech-
nology world, it’s essential
to apply as many IT skills
as possible for your
online presence as
well as your crea-
tive demonstra-
tion on stage.
Being an expert
in graphic design
and
website
development
gives me the
confidence of
knowing I can
fix things my-
self in a second
in urgent cases.
Can you tell us about some of your
biggest challenges when you first
became a fashion event organiser?
How did you overcome them?
I have no concept of failure as I take
every tough situation as a challenge
to overcome, rather than a problem
by which I will be defeated. I think I’ve
gone in the right direction so far as the
shows have always been successful and
they have become bigger and better
in a very short period of time. I find
landing in a new country and creating
a buzz a great source of excitement
rather that something scary. I think the
biggest challenge in my job is balanc-
ing my work and personal life. I am still
finding my way around it.
J Model Management’s fame is tied
with unique and outstanding cat-
walk venues. Is there anything else
to mark the company out amongst
others?
The venue is only one of our com-
petitive advantages. Our other selling
points include speedy preparation, our
client satisfaction service and our strict
guest list arrangement. We produce an
entire seasonal event, which consists of
logistics, PR, flow, backstage, casting,
and guest list management, in a maxi-
mum of three months. The most recent
show on the Costa Atlantica in Dubai
was actually prepared in just 6 weeks.
What do you think about Vietnam’s
fashion industry?
I have not had a chance to work in
Vietnam. However, as we always hunt
for the best designs and talent from all
over the world, including Vietnam, I did
Jessica Minh Anh
founded J Model Man-
agement just one
month after she gradu-
ated in 2009.
She now has bases
in the world fashion
capitals of London and
Paris.
Timeout
caught
up with her to learn
about her meteoric rise.
LIFESTYLE
FASHION . FINE DINING . SPA CORNER
ANYTHING
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