An Interview with International Model Scout Sandi Bass

In This Photo: Dionne Warwick, Sandi Bass, Pat Cleveland, Sessilee Lopez,

Nykhor Paul, Maria McDonald, Hilda Lee, Tamecca Tillard, Richard E. Pelzer,

Drielle Valaretto, Camille Evans and Mike ruiz (Photographed in New York)

To be a model scout is always a honour because you get to travel the world, meet a host of

brilliant people and you could say live the life. Sandi Bass is a legendary model/muse who

now runs her own modelling placement establishment called Sandi Bass International from

her base inAmerica. She combines her role as an international scout with being a creative

director to a host of very successful projects. In this interview, Sandi talks to Zen about her

journey through the modelling industry, what she looks for in a model and why the Cover

Girls for Change project is something she loves too dearly.

ZEN: Who is Sandi Bass?

SB: I am a lover of the Arts… all things beautiful and inspiring which includes people with

beautiful hearts, fashion, music and dance.

ZEN: How did you become an international model scout?

SB: Before I became a scout, I was discovered as a model by Hubert de Givenchy in Los

Angeles and taken to Paris as his muse living seventeen years in Paris, Rome and Tokyo,

working for all of the top designers. After hanging up my runway pumps on my last stop

living in Tokyo, I became a scout for the agency that represented me. It was an easy transition

as I had many agency contacts from living in Europe and the USA.

ZEN: What’s it like being an international modelling scout? Tell us your daily regime.

SB: Because of the Internet and social media sites today, I don’t travel as much as I used to,

which I am very OK with. I live in New York, so I hold castings at the agencies

for models that I want to see. I photograph them and send their profiles off

to Asia or European modelling agencies. Because of the time zone differences I find myself

working on the computer late evenings in NY, as Asia is just waking up getting in their

offices to start their day.

ZEN: How has recruiting models been over the years?

SB: Over the years, I have recruited several models from America’s Next Top Model when I

was a guest judge on the show. Asia is a great market for the beginner market it is difficult to

get a top model to commit for a two month stay.

ZEN: What do you look for in a model?

SB: Personality is very important. Yes, the standard 34-24-34..5’8”-5’11” age, 16-20 for

females and 5’11” to 6’2” age 17-23 for males is also important, but if you have the look and

cannot move in front of the camera you are not a good model and will not be booked over

and over. I look for a spark, something different but at the same time normal to appeal to the

massive public.

ZEN: Can we talk about style? How would you describe your style?

SB: I have worn clothes from the best designers in the world. I understand fashion. Style is a

“State of Mind.” My style is comfort, and what makes me feel great. I like the simple classic

lines, clothes that like me as much as I like them.

ZEN: Do you follow African fashion?

SB: Yes, I had the opportunity to travel to South Africa on several scouting trips and fell in

love with the colors, the country and the people. I think designers like David Tlale as well as

others are becoming mainstream worldwide.

Sandi receiving her Casting Director of The Year Award at

United Colours of Fashion (UCOF) last year

ZEN: How did it feel to be honoured at UCOF’s annual Benefit Gala as the best “Casting

Director of The Year?

SB: It was an honour that I will always cherish, the show was star studded with “Love”, here

in NY, founders, Ciano Clerjuste and Veronica Rovegno are two amazing people that I like

to now call family. They are both caring and hard-working in the fight to help the people

of South Africa.

ZEN: What’s next for Sandi?

SB: I will continue to live with great intentions, spreading love, hope and giving back…”All

in the name of Fashion” and I am also Creative Director of Cover Girls for Change - please

take a look at our site www.covergirlsforchange.com

Photographer: Mike Ruiz

Creative Director: Camille Evans

Ancestral Beads by Larry Brown, Civi-li’za-tion by Tunu, John Guanlao (makeup),

Antwon Johnson (Hair), Torrence Forde (hair & Makeup), Angelina Scantlebury

(FashionStylist), Alyn Martin (Hair and Makeup), Sadia Seymour for Halley Resources

(FashionStylist), Harriet Zafonni for Harkiss Designs, Photographer Assistant: Enrico De

Conti, Nia Johnson (Hair), Sandra Marshall-Haye & Stedman Young of Tafari Tribe