The Glowdown With Lucy Pilz

Meet Lucy, an Australian born Londoner who’s worked with prolific talent such as Pandora Sykes and now heads up the management team for some of the most talented individuals in the UK at Premier Model Management including; fashion stylists Monikh Dale and We The People Style, supermodels Arizona Muse and Luna Bijl, Euphoria actress Hunter Schafer, musicians Patricia Manfield (Heir) and Kelis and bloggers Elle McNamara (Bambi Does Beauty), Niomi Smart and Sophia Hadjipanteli. When she isn’t working, Lucy wanders around Chiswick discovering new places; stalk miniature Dachshunds (she is on the market for one); reads thrillers and sleeps to keep her sane from her long work hours.

Lucy is here today to share what it’s really like to be a talent manager, including the ins and outs of the job, her highly impressive beauty routine, career highlights, inspirations, what it was like growing up in Sydney and more.

AO: “Hi Lucy, thank you for joining me on The Glowdown! It’s lovely to have you. How are your spirits right now?

LP: Thanks for having me J! I am in good spirits – I just spent a day flaneuring around London in the sunshine, so pretty happy-lass right now as I love playing tourist in a city I have lived over 5 years in – always something new to discover. 

AO: “Please can you tell us a little bit about what you do?”

LP: I help curate the careers of talent by strategically partnering them with brands, events, shows etc. I book campaigns for them and artists that we represent – I basically make people money (in a very round-about way). I also manage a team, am the contracts girl, HR, host talks for brands/PRs/Agencies on working with talent etc, source clients, maintain client ad talent relationships, keep an eye out for upcoming and established talent to take on, attend events, do a shed load of administration– I am the bridge between a talent and a client. 

AO: “From researching some of your previous interviews, I discovered that you grew up in Sydney. When did you leave Australia to pursue a career and life in London and what pre-empt’d the move?”

LP: I moved to London at the start of 2015 to further my career (which was at the time, in Social + Influencer Marketing). My Grandma met my Grandfather in London when she was 23 and ever since I was little, she told me I belonged there and would thrive (she was very insightful I reckon). So I suppose it was a seed embedded in me from a young age that I needed to give it a go. Plus, after I did my Masters in Austria, I got the bug to live overseas so upon finishing University, I did two years of working in Sydney to get my basis of the industry and build up my experience and was bought over by a company at the start of 2015 to start up their Digital content wing. It was the best decision I ever made (moving to London) – I have really been able to thrive in all aspects of my life and truly find me.

AO: “Your Grandma sounds like a very wise lady. Can you see yourself moving back to Australia or is London your forever ‘home’?”

LP: I never say never. Every time I go back to Sydney (to see family, once every year or two), I fly over the city and cry as Sydney always has my heart but I know it isn’t a city that is me. I have never felt at home in Sydney (even though it is where my family is). I also just bought a flat in London so I am very much locked in for the next few years at least cause… mortgages! My future goal though, is to set up a career in which I have flexibility to be based between London and Sydney (and possibly other countries) – that is my ideal.

AO: “Have you introduced any new rituals or routines since spending lockdown in Sydney?”

LP: Do you know what, at the start of lockdown I thought I was going to be super strict and regimented and study Crypto-currencies, learn to knit and do a barre class a day… but that went all out the window. I need forced routine in my life to thrive mentally, and because I was placed on furlough (as I got stuck in Australia for 11 weeks due to border closures – I actually came over for a wedding initially before it all got super intense), I really struggled to maintain routine. We were able to leave the house as we weren’t on lockdown (just restrictions – so Westfield had some stores open, we could exercise at the beach and with a friend in outdoor spaces, we had cafes open for takeaway… lots changed but it wasn't as restrictive as the UK) so I had things to do but it still didn't mean I stuck to a routine (cause I am a workaholic in a lazy girls body – if I have no forced routine, I will activate my sloth-mode). HOWEVER, since being back in London, I have tried to be a little more strict with reading, finishing off decorating my flat, my skincare (really loving acids at the moment) and trying to better my cooking skills (although, still very much failing).

AO: “Which social media accounts are keeping you inspired these days?”

LP: @goodnews_movement without a doubt – it only showcases the good stuff happening around the world: it really makes my heart full when I see their posts. 

AO: “I’ll have to check them out, they sound like the kind of accounts we should all be following right now. Let’s talk about your career. Please can you tell us a bit about how you made your way to being Head of Artists at Premier Models? Where did it all begin and what was the journey to this achievement like?”

LP: Oh goodness, this is quite a journey – and to caveat, I need to mention that I was pretty lucky with my career and it isn’t the normal path. I started out writing a Beauty Blog that after 6 months of launch, won a few industry awards which led me to write for magazines and online publications. This is really what set my path for me as it enabled me to learn the Influencer industry from the influencer side and make some brilliant friendships with other talent. I was doing this whilst working full time in social media and strategy for FMCG companies. After my first year I moved into an epic role at the largest FMCG’s in the world where I received the best in-class training (from social analytics, data mining, strategy, social media law, crisis management etc) and worked on Cannes Lion campaigns. It was around this time that I was amping up content on my site and attending more events, that my blogger and you-tuber friends started asking me to be their agent (I had no idea how to do that) which piqued my interest in the industry. I started incorporating more influencer marketing into my role at the FMCG which (as social media and influencer marketing was just building traction as a job) enabled me to fast-track my career and start freelancing for brands working on their strategy.

It was after 2 years of working that I felt it was about time I head to London so in 2015 I packed my whole life up and started working for a beauty PR agency who had head hunted me to implement their digital content + influencer marketing offering. I really found my feet in the UK here and learnt the influencer market quite quickly (still writing for my blog at the time). I was then head hunted by a recruiter to work for a boutique modelling agency to start up their Digital Talent wing from scratch. Soon after I started, the Director of talent left and I inherited his division so was forced to learn how to be an agent and manage artists and influencers very quickly with very minimal help. Whilst stressful at the time (trying to learn the ropes), it allowed me to really educate myself and enabled me to develop my skills much faster than a tradition agent would (as I had no other choice). After a year, I became the Director of Talent and Influencers as I rampantly built–up the divisions and their billings and clients were really taking notice of the boards. It was something I was pretty proud of and a key moment in my career whereby I realised I was so much more capable of what I always gave myself credit for. 

Two years into working at that agency, Premier poached me to takeover their Digital Talent wing as Head, and a few months later, a similar thing happened whereby I inherited the artists division and now Head up a team to manage Artists, Influencers and Photography division at Top 5 globally known modelling agency. Last year I worked really hard to redevelop the boards and bring back the division to its former glory. It was hard but I have an amazing team who worked so hard to help get it to where it is today – and we are forever trying to keep evolving and developing it with new talent and clients. 

The journey hasn't been easy – it comes with a lot of hard-work, tears, long hours, forcing yourself to learn and do things that you might not be comfortable with, and implementing changes – but I wouldn't change a thing. I am really proud of what I have achieved in my professional life and being able to surround myself with inspiring talent who are literally trying to change the world – that is pretty soul-nourishing if you ask me! Makes the blood, sweat and tears all worth it. 

AO: “Wow, what an incredible career you’ve had. The blood sweat and tears have paid off! What does a typical day at work look like for a talent manager, pre Covid-19?”

LP: Oh goodness, I wouldn’t say any day is normal – and that is what I enjoy most about it. I normally start my day 7.30am by checking emails as I make my way to work and responding to anything urgent that is due. I get in to work around 9am and grab coffee and catch up with whoever is at the desk.

From there, my day could involve anything from new talent research, outreach, contracts etc, responding to briefs and job quieres / pitching to clients with ideas and talent suggestions (as an agent, you must be proactive in reaching out to source jobs  - you cant just rely on work coming in), educating teams, invoicing, meetings and catchups with MD’s and owners, working on pitches or projects with our sister company.

Meeting with clients is also a big part of the job, either at the agency or at restaurants (that is my favourite part of my job I reckon as I love meeting people and chatting – it is also how we develop long-term working relationships with clients. I believe in being nice and not playing to the typical ‘mean agent’ stigma. People are more likely to come back to a nice person cause it was a good experience as opposed to a difficult one)

I normally leave the office around 7/8pm and head home to dinner then hit the hay around 11pm. I have been trying to read much more this year as it helps keep my brain active in ways that aren’t involving work. I have made sure that I take a book on the tube to read and not do emails  - it makes going to work a lot more enjoyable and I start refreshed and a little less stressed ha.  

AO: “A very long day but I love the variety and that no day is the same, my work is similar in that aspect. I’d be right in saying you work with a lot of influential people, is there anyone you’ve worked with and had a real ‘pinch me’ moment?”

LP: I am quite unfazed by people’s stardom and sometimes, being an expat, I don't really know who certain people are till someone tells me (I once spent a large chunk of a day with Jensen Button when I was doing GoodWood with Honda and a talent, and I honestly had no idea who he was. It wasn't till my Dad told me who he was that I understood the huge crowds around him).  

However… last year I went to Rome with Bvlgari and a talent and it was the most incredible experience of my life. I got to see hidden places in Rome that nobody ever gets to see, see and learn about the brands jewels in museums on private tours, eat in the most idyllic places, finished off with a Vespa tour to some of my favourite places in Rome. It actually brings a tear to my eye remembering it as it was the most insane two days learning the heritage of one of an elegant Italian heritage brand who has SO much history to it and being able to juxtapose that against the city that created it. That was a real ‘pinch me’ moment for sure.  

AO: “Let's discuss your beauty life - are there products you use religiously or do you like to switch it up and try out new launches?”

LP: Looking after a prolific beauty talent like Bambi Does Beauty, I am quite fortunate in that I get exposed to a lot of brands. I also admit, a lot of clients have been very generous with gifting me things in the past (through my agent work and also as a writer when I was blogging) so I have quite the arsenal of beauty goods to use.  That being said I do have a handful of products that I always come back to as I have fallen in love with. 

• Dr Dennis Gross Universal Peeling Pads – I bought a 90 day supply in Australia and am addicted. They really have been helping me go gungho on my uneven complexion and to reduce the dreaded Australian-induced pigmentation (I literally step off the plane and it comes back – darn hole in the ozone layer).

• SkinCeuticals Retexturing Activator – To play to my whole game of trying-to-get-my-skin-into-tiptop-shape-and-not-be-in-denial-about-my-age game that I clearly seem to be on, I have introduced this intense bi-functional  exfoliating and hydrating serum into my routine to help force my skin to breakout to help bring back clarity and smoothness to my dermis. It is spenny but worth it.

• Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill Stellar Eyeshadow in Stellar – I don't wear a lot of make up, but I need to wear something on my lids as otherwise I look unwell. I love this as it gives a subtle sparkle but with a wet-look sheen.

• Two Faced Better Than Sex Mascara – I wouldn't say it is better than it’s name sake, but I do think it offers orgasmic, thick lashes which I am totally on-board with that (no need for extensions or LVL).

• Erborian CC Red Correct  - I don't wear a lot of make up these days (I spent 11 weeks in Australia wearing basically only Sunscreen), but my skin does go a little red thanks to its paleness. So this anti-redness cream helps reduce that whilst providing a very light and subtly conceals imperfections (if I have a breakout though, I will use a concealer on top). It helps to lightly adjust and enhance your complexion without that caked-on effect foundation brings.

• Aveda Daily Light Guard SPF 30 – I am Australian so predisposed to a higher risk of skin cancer cause .. hole in ozone. I am really passionate about sun safety (and will implore everyone to be, also) so wear spf every day even in winter. This mineral-derived spf is super lightweight and offer s sheer protection. It last ages as well as a little goes along way.

• Shiseido Benefiance Pure Retinol Intensive Revitalising ace mask – I have never experienced the level of complexion correction than I have with these sheet masks. My skin looks like it did a decade ago due to the pure retinol it uses to target dullness and wrinkles. It you want to invest in something that will guarantee results and re-engerised skin, then these are so very it! 

• Aurelia Citrus Botanical Cream Deodorant – I have recently done a big detox of my armpits (yes, a thing haha), and have adopted natural deodorants (I am also trying to be more mindful of my footprint on this earth so trying to go more natural as a starting point where I can). This is the only natural deodorant I have tried that actually works at stopping the dreaded underarm smell. It harnesses natural antibacterial ingredients to keep you fresh, and it smells delightful which is always ideal for your pits

• Haekels Exfoliating Seaweed block – Inspired by Kelly Eastwood, I have tried introducing soap into my shower-time to counterbalance the effects of plastic packaging on the environment and I cant get enough of this exfoliating soap. It is serious nasal nirvana and British made! 

• Ronny Colbie ‘Mud Season’ Candle – not beauty (but he does make hand wash). This scent is nasal nirvana – it is what I envisage my future husband to smell like and makes me feel a little less single than I am haha! 

AO: “I’ve just started using the Skin Ceuticals Retexturing Activator and it really is immense. I love everything I’ve tried from that brand! What does your quarantine beauty routine look like, are you still wearing makeup or embracing being au natural?”

LP: Embracing the Au Natural for sure! I have been scrimping on the make up part until I landed back in London three weeks ago and now use it as an element of my routine (to keep me sane). However, I am still not wearing foundation – just my trusty anti-redness CC or Shiseido WASO colour-smart Day moisturiser and I am good to go (with SPF of course). Right now I am trying to focus on my skincare regime to get my skin into better shape. 

AO: “What would you say is the Australian approach to beauty and has that stuck with you growing up or changed since living in the UK?”

LP: Australia definitely had a less is more approach which, now that I am in my 30s, I appreciate (also, cause there is an element of laziness in me). However, as someone who has had skin cancer multiple times, and lost family to it (1 in 2 people get skin cancer in Australia – it is really prolific there), Sunscreen has certainly been something that has stuck with me. I wear it daily on my face, and in summer make sure I have applied it to anywhere that is exposed. I have seen the damage it can do to people so I am very wary of making sure I protect myself. Plus, it is the one thing you can do to prevent premature ageing and I am always down for that. Australians are also very savvy with natural ingredients, so for my everyday routine I try to incorporate as many natural ingredients or products as I can.  

AO: “Has working with models, artists and influencers changed your perception or outlook on the beauty industry and if so, how?”

LP: My personal perception, no. I have never seen physical beauty as a gateway to being placed on pedalstool – I believe beauty is something that comes from the inside and radiates out. I am a huge believer that we shouldn't place our self-worth of what size we are nor how straight our nose is or the evenness of our chest etc. It is what a person believes in and fights for that I think encapsulates beauty. So, when I personally take on talent, I want to make sure that they stand for something that is going to help inspire and change my nieces’ futures for the better. I want to take on people that can be role-models, game-changers, activists, strive for gender-equality and diversity, stand up for human rights etc. I am fortunate, as I know I am a person that has the capacity to put people into a form of power and give them a platform with their influence, therefore, it is my responsibility to ensure that the people I take on are going to make positive changes to society regardless of what they look like. I understand it can be a sort of irony given I work for a model agency, but I can help change things from the inside and that makes it all worthwhile. 

AO: “How do you carve and balance the relationships you build with your talent artists?”

LP: When we look for talent we get them in to chat and if we all get on with them and like what they stand for, then we look at taking them on. If a person seems difficult or doesn't come across nicely or we don't connect, we are less likely to take them on as management is about relationships and trust – you spend so much of your day with people or speaking to them so if you don't get on, then it can be a struggle. I believe in surrounding myself with positive energy so it is important that I correlate that with my career, too. 

Balancing the relationships with talent can be hard as the line between your personal and work life becomes blurred (due to the hours you work with them, events and the things you need to know). I know more about some of my talent than I do my friends. That being said, I pride myself on my relationship with clients and talent so sometimes your job is more about listening to build core relationships and so they know they can trust you.

AO: “If there is one, what would you say is the biggest misconception of the industry you work in?”

LP: That the job is glamorous. There is certainly an element that is glitzy, but it is hard work and you have to be prepared to work hours outside of 9-5 - If things aren’t done, you have to keep working. Sure, we attend parties and there are a lot of perks, but I work to midnight most nights on my phone (from home due to multiple time-zones) and am in the office 10 hours a day without a lunchbreak most of the time (although, trying to be better at balancing that). There is always so much to do. But I get a real kick out of working on projects and seeing them succeed so I suppose I have that element of self-flagilation where I don't mind the long hours as I see it as an investment in others.

AO: “Favourite career moment to date?”

LP: Ooh gosh that is hard one as I have had a lot. However, my favourite thing about my career which is a highlight everyday is hearing ‘thank you’ from talent. All I need in my career is a little appreciation now and then.

AO: “I love that. You’re a well travelled individual… What would you say are your favourite places? You don’t have to pick one!”

LP:

• Wicklow National Park, Ireland – I could get lost in that place for days. No wonder they film so many romance movies there.

• Lake McKenzie on Fraser Island is an inland perched lake surrounded by white sand. You can actually drink the water.

• Cala Sa Foradada, Majorca – My brother took me and my parents here last year for lunch and my goodness, it was breathtaking swimming in the azure blue sea, and enjoying a feast at the tiny Palella shack perched on a cliff. However, I don't recommend going at midday on a 42 degree day as the walk back up is excruciating. 

• Mykonos, Greece. I visited for a launch event with a talent where Kate Moss, Gigi Hadid, Emily Ratajkowski and many other celebs were also attending and ate some of THE best seafood at Hakkasan Ling Ling that I have ever had. 

• Luskentyre Beach on the Isle of Harris is an insanely beautiful beach in the Outer Hebrides that I am dying to return to soon. You must google it – you would think it was something out of the Maldives

• Salzburg, Austria – quaint town surrounded by a salt white river and the birthplace of Mozart. I could easily move there for a year and flaneur around the city singing music from the Sound of Music

• Vis, Mjet, Brac, Korcula, Hvar in Croatia. I have such a soft spot for Croatia having spent many holidays in my 20s there. It is so visually stunning and full of history – I am dying to go back for a holiday whereby I just swim, eat, read, sleep! 

AO: “I spent 6 weeks island hopping in Croatia wit my boyfriend a few years ago and it might have to be my favourite European country. So so beautiful. Ok, I do this with all my guests. Can I ask you a few quick fire questions.”

LP: Of course!

AO: “Top 3 accounts to follow on Instagram?”

LP: Aside from all my fabulous talent ;) I am obsessed with: @thearchbishopofbanterbury for the lols, @goodnewsmovement for my daily soul-filling, and @rainbowsalt – an incredible writer/ poet who writes pieces that make you really feel. 

AO: “Favourite place to visit in Australia?”

LP: Fraser island for the sheer beauty. But I grew up between the Northern Beaches of Sydney, Rylstone (country) and Soldiers Point (beach) so visiting anything that reminds me of my childhood is definitely one of the most soulful things to do/see for me. 

AO: “What is the first thing you are going to do when we are out of lockdown?”

LP: Hug my friends – I am a tactile person so this is breaking my spirit a little (but might have to wait for a vaccine for that). So maybe go to the pub and order something strong and talk to strangers about their last few months? 

AO: ‘What are you watching right now on TV?”

LP: I only watch Netflix and Amazon, but I am catching up on Outlander (Sam Hueghan is so dreamy) and re watching Younger which I really love (anything romance led cause it is clearly missing in my life ha). Next on my hit list is to re-watch my favourites: Run Lola Run, Blood Diamond, Double Jeopardy and Constant Gardener.