Atop the first level of the Eiffel Tower (189 ft above ground), a model sashays in a pair of dangerously high heels. A trail of dainty models follow suit. Well, you certainly can’t have vertigo if you are a model at Jessica Minh Anh’s event. Known to organise fashion shows at numerous iconic locales like the Grand Canyon, London’s Tower Bridge, Petronas Twin Towers Skybridge, Gardens by the Bay OCBC Skyway and One World Trade Centre, this time she’s turning the Eiffel Tower into a ramp. Since most of the venues she chooses are at an altitude Jessica says, “The models participating usually need to be, as myself, a fan of heights. I go for venues that inspire me, that capture my attention, and that I believe will amaze the world,” she adds.
A model and an entrepreneur, Jessica started modelling at the age of 15 and founded J Model Management, a PR and production company, a month after graduating from University of Birmingham. The company, she believes, allows her to combine her love for fashion, architecture and culture.
At the show at Eiffel, she is also one of the 12 participating models. The panoramic outdoor ramp seemed too good an opportunity for her to miss. The catwalk spans over 150m across the first floor of the Tower and the models will also, hold your breath, walk across the new glass floor.
When she started, her shows, high on glamour and style received constant acclaim. “I realised the only way to move forward was to do a sky-high catwalk, as I couldn’t think of a better on-the-ground venue. London’s Tower Bridge came to my mind. Being granted permission to host J Autumn Fashion Show 2011 on the iconic bridge was an honour and a big step in my career,” says the Paris-based entrepreneur.
The fashionista organises three shows per year — either J Spring, J Summer, and J Autumn, or J Spring, J Summer, and J Winter. It takes around two to three months to prepare for each. “Outdoor venues are always unpredictable, with many logistics constraints. If it’s not tough, it’s not fun.” Of all the places she’s hosted events at, the Grand Canyon Skywalk needed maximum preparation. “It does take some convincing to get permission. Some venues have stricter policies. However, based on our track record of successful catwalks around the globe, it is a lot easier to communicate. I show them our work, and they give us a smile,” she says.
The last show that she organised was at the J Summer Fashion Show 2014 at One World Trade Center in June. It’s also one of her most memorable experiences. “One World Trade Center represents determination, innovation, and ambition, which are the qualities I believe in as a young entrepreneur. Similar to the Tower, I strongly believe you’ve got to dig deep to rise high.”
The event will take place on October 31. It will stream liveon www. jmodelmanagement.co.uk
