Alumni

Grad is Founder and CEO of ANG Model Management

Ayana Gordon was born in San Jose, California and raised in nearby Stockton where she attended Langston Hughes Academy. After high school, she attended San Jose Community College and returned to Stockton to go to Delta College. “I had a real mental breakdown because I wasn't reaching my purpose within my education and that's when I made the decision to transfer to FIDM,” Ayana said. She first earned an A.A. in Merchandise Product Development, followed by a B.S. in Business Management. Before finishing her second degree, Ayana founded ANG Model Management. We caught up with the FIDM Graduate and entrepreneur to learn about her FIDM journey.  

What was your path to FIDM? I always knew I wanted to be in the world of fashion. Still, business was always something I wanted to continue on to study because that's where my true profession lay. Still, when applying to FIDM and talking to a FIDM counselor, they pointed me in the direction of product development to get the best of both worlds with fashion and business. I graduated with my Merchandise Product Development Degree in June 2018 and graduated with my Bachelor’s in Business Management last year in 2020.

Tell us about founding ANG Model Management: I founded ANG Model Management in 2017 and officially launched in January of 2018. A year and half into my product development program, I already knew I appreciated having the knowledge and skill under my belt. I didn’t want to work for anyone or pursue PD full-on. My childhood friend and I were talking and she wanted to try to get into modeling and I knew that going to FIDM and having her best interest that I should be the one to manage her. Since then I produced my first photoshoot back in 2017 and have been running hard ever since to build the next top modeling agency in the world.

Where have your models worked? SF Fashion Community Week Fashion Week, LA Fashion Week, Napa Valley Magazine, Artsy Magazine, NY Fashion Week, TokyoFW, West Coast Leather, and an ANG Model Management full runway production July 2021.

What do you enjoy most about working in fashion and modeling? I enjoy the thrill of working in the fashion industry because of the fast-paced glam and creativity behind it all. I love the aspect of creating nothing into something. I also love working with models because I get a first look at them evolving and gaining confidence by expressing themselves and gaining exposure. I love seeing the mass potential within individuals and introducing them to the world of modeling when they never imagined themselves being in that position. I like to handpick individuals who have a great unique look they didn't even believe or think they had.

How did FIDM help prepare you for your career? FIDM has helped me prepare for my career by the mentorship from teachers and staff guiding me through different avenues I never knew I needed. All my teachers and staff from my PD degree and my Bachelor’s degree have given me the skill sets and knowledge required to navigate my way through this industry, not just the modeling industry but also fashion in general. The Career Center helped me connect with other agencies and led me to volunteer opportunities to help me build experience within the industry I am pursuing today.

Anything else you'd like to share? I hope to one day have FIDM LA utilize my agency for DEBUT. I am great with fashion productions as well! 

Learn more online at angmodelmanagement.com and on Instagram @angmodelmanagement.

Categories:  Business Management Merchandise Product Development Alumni