Model and Bridal Boutique Owner, Gabrielle Paoletti
What an absolute pleasure it was to sit down with Gabrielle Paoletti at her stunning new bridal studio! Seriously, the place looks amazing, a beautiful work in progress, and it was a perfect backdrop for our chat. Gabrielle, as many of you know, is a force in the modeling world, and our history goes way back to 2015 – almost a decade ago! That first shoot with her, when she was just 19 and with the Reinhard agency, was monumental for both of us. For her, it was one of her first "serious" beauty shoots with a full team, and for me, it felt like the gates really opened in my career.
An Untraditional Start & The Power of Prom Pictures
Gabrielle's journey into modeling was quite unique. Unlike many models who build their book before getting signed, she was signed to an agency first. Her discovery story is fascinating: her mom's friend, a producer at CBS Philadelphia, invited her to be a stand-in for dresses on a daytime talk show. Then, in what Gabrielle laughingly called her mom "pulling a Kris Jenner," her mom submitted prom pictures to Reinhardt, and they signed her on the spot! No digitals, just prom pictures. That's an incredible start, highlighting that sometimes, talent and potential shine through in unexpected ways.
She quickly signed with agencies in smaller markets like DC, Ohio, Boston, and Vegas, eventually making New York her main focus, where she's been with State for six years. I still remember our first trip to New York together, walking from agency to agency. Gabrielle had this incredible New York confidence, literally clearing the sidewalk as she walked. I remember thinking, "Okay, this is what it's like to be a model walking down the street!". She explained that a certain kind of confidence is absolutely essential to thrive there.
The Crucial Role of a Mother Agent
One of the most insightful parts of our conversation was Gabrielle's explanation of a mother agent versus a regular agent. She currently has a mother agent now, but wishes she had one earlier. As she detailed, a mother agent acts as a developer and brand builder for a model. They help identify your strengths, suggest the right photographers to build your book, and guide your overall brand direction, even when you, as the model, might think you know best.
A mother agent will then introduce you to agencies, being selective to ensure it's a good fit for your look. Crucially, they stand between you and your Booker, stepping in to make decisions if you have conflicting jobs or if you're in an uncomfortable situation. While an agency might sometimes prioritize their relationship with a client, a mother agent's primary job is to protect and vouch for the model. That protection and advocacy are invaluable, something I didn't fully realize until she broke it down.
Quality Over Quantity: Building Your Book
Gabrielle's advice for new models on building their portfolio was clear: "Don't shoot with anyone and everyone". She emphasized that your book is your brand, and putting out low-quality or provocative images that don't align with your goals can actually hurt your career. She learned this early, stopping after just two less-than-ideal shoots to focus on researching and paying for quality images.
She confessed that 90% of her book consists of paid images, as she obsessed over getting the right quality. Of course, I had to playfully ask if I cheated her since she didn't pay for our shoots! But it just goes to show the dedication required to curate a strong, professional portfolio.
Pivoting to Bridal and Future Visions
Gabrielle is now in what she calls "the pivot," shifting her energy from full-time modeling to her beautiful bridal studio, while still modeling. Her inspiration came directly from her career: after being booked by major wedding brands and working bridal week showrooms, she saw the business side of the industry. Being a "numbers girl," she realized the potential. She even worked at a bridal shop to gain experience, specifically to prepare for opening her own.
What truly stood out about her approach to the bridal shop is her commitment to unique branding. While designers provide beautiful images from places like Lake Como, Gabrielle insisted on creating her own content, using friends as models and shooting at venues like the Fitler Club to convey her brand and aesthetic. This allows her to stand out from other boutiques using the same stock images.
Looking ahead to 2025, Gabrielle dreams of expanding her shop to include mother-of-the-bride and evening wear, and taking her modeling career even more seriously in New York. She's purposefully moving away from swimwear and lingerie, even turning down work in her former "Miami market". It's a natural evolution, as she gets older and seeks roles that better align with her current goals, like fashion, beauty, and lifestyle. She's already checked off major goals like Guess and even Victoria's Secret, so it's time to evolve.
Key Takeaways for Aspiring Models
Her biggest piece of advice for new models is to figure out your brand early and put yourself out there. She feels she might have reached her goals quicker if she had established her brand and invested in her book more strategically from the start.
She also gave powerful insight into agency hopping. It’s not just about signing with a big-name agency; it’s about finding one that pushes you, believes in you, and actively promotes you to the right clients. Many well-known agencies sign hundreds of models, but only a fraction are actively working because the agents don't prioritize everyone. This is such crucial information for anyone dreaming of a modeling career: a big name doesn't guarantee work; a dedicated agent does.
It was an incredible conversation, filled with so much wisdom from someone who has truly navigated the industry with intelligence and determination. I wish Gabrielle the absolute best of luck with her new ventures!