Casting Director Angus Munro: Advocating for Models and Industry Change

Angus Munro, a renowned casting director, has long been a pivotal figure in the fashion industry, known for his discerning eye and commitment to reshaping the modeling landscape. In an interview with our editor Alexei Key, Munro shared insights into the challenges fashion models face and the changes he believes are necessary for the industry’s evolution.

Casting Director Angus Munro
Casting Director Angus Munro

“It’s a brutal job,” Munro stated candidly. “It’s like going to ten job interviews a day and getting told you’re not good enough ten times. That is soul-destroying for anybody, let alone someone who’s 16, 17, 18 years old.” His words shed light on the emotional toll the profession can take on young fashion models, emphasizing the need for a stronger support system.

Munro didn’t shy away from addressing the gender pay gap affecting male models. “You can have an advertising job with a male model and a female model there for the same amount of time, yet the male model gets paid a third of what the female model gets paid,” he pointed out. “I think that’s just patently wrong in any business.” His stance challenges a rarely discussed disparity, calling for equitable treatment across the board.

Beyond highlighting issues, Munro spoke about the responsibility agents have in safeguarding their talent. “There’s a great degree of responsibility that has to lie with the support structure around the models themselves,” he said. “It starts with the agents. The agents have to turn around to the client and say this is not acceptable and that would stop it like that.” His approach underscores a commitment to fostering a nurturing environment in an industry often criticized for its harshness.

Looking ahead, Munro touched on the impact of technology and AI on fashion. He recounted seeing an AI model that was “indistinguishable from a real person,” which “blew his mind” and prompted him to rethink the future of modeling. While acknowledging the potential for virtual fashion models to supplement traditional fashion shows, he remained cautious about making definitive predictions in a rapidly evolving landscape.

To hear more from Angus Munro himself, watch the full interview below.

Produced by Sirena Kuo

In this article:
Angus Munro Alexei Key

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