Photo by Isaac Harrell
Talent scout Stacie Vanchieri started Modelogic [Wilhelmina] on March 29, 1993, in a 250-square-foot office in Shockoe Bottom. Twenty years later, the company is going strong with two buildings in Church Hill, as well as offices in Chicago and the latest location in Milwaukee, Wis., which launched in 2011.
Vanchieri credits Richmond's ad scene, as well as the increase in technology, with the agency's ability to grow. "We used to send couriers with comp cards [to market the agency's modeling talent]," Vanchieri says. "Now we can do everything electronically."
Commercial photographer and director Todd Wright has worked with Vanchieri for more than 15 years. "I've worked with a ton of talent agents from all over the country, and she stands out from the pack because of how much she cares about her talent," he says. "There's almost no length she won't go to, to put the right talent in front of you."
About 10 years into owning her agency, Vanchieri partnered with worldwide model-management company Wilhelmina Models. Now, along with her cast of models in Virginia, Vanchieri can contact models from around the world to fit her clients' needs.
In 2011, Vanchieri was approached by the producer of Scouted, a reality show about the modeling industry on the E! network, and was featured on several episodes. "I had one Skype audition, and then they sent a crew to Richmond to follow me around for about three weeks," she says, adding that she recently got a call about the next season, which will be on MTV.
Today, Modelogic [Wilhelmina] works with national clients like Sears, Walmart and Bloomingdales, as well as local businesses like Need Supply Co. "They're a great team," says Fashaya Crigler, a senior photo producer for Virginia-based Plow and Hearth. "Everyone who works there is sweet to work with, which makes a huge difference when you're really busy and under pressure."
