Men have traditionally controlled and shaped fashion, but a new wave of female CEOs is upending the upper echelons of the business and influencing the industry to a more diverse future. Iman Eldeeb, the CEO of UNN Model Management has a rich background in the fashion world. A native Egyptian, she grew up in Egypt, where she completed her education. Iman pursued her love of art at NABA in Milan, where she obtained a BA in design and styling.

At 25, she established Egypt's first modeling agency, UNN Model Management. UNN seeks to defy conventional notions of beauty by showcasing various Arab and African talents globally. Iman hopes to inspire young people and establish a global platform for varied representation through UNN.

Embarking on a distinctive exchange with The Global Woman Leader magazine, Iman shares the intricate facets of her journey as a prominent leader in Egypt. Let's delve into it.

What have been some of the most crucial junctures throughout your professional journey? How did you foray into the field of fashion?

Most of the important events that shaped my journey into the fashion industry, have also shaped my road to founding UNN Model Management. Being immersed in Milan’s fashion scene, after studying fashion design and styling, played a significant influence in developing my artistic vision. My knowledge of the sector was further enhanced while I worked as a model in India, where I developed my abilities and reshaped my vision while collaborating with esteemed brands.

After making a brief return to Egypt, I was amazed by the unrealized potential and lack of awareness and guidance about modeling as a profession. Because of the obvious market vacuum in Egypt and my confidence in the potential of Middle Eastern and African talent, this experience motivated me to carve out a niche for them. I established Egypt's first dedicated model management firm.

"I aim to do what i love, every day, & see it positively impact society"

What led you to establish your model management firm, UNN?

I established UNN Model Management driven by a deep passion for representing and developing underrepresented talents from Egypt, MENA, and GCC regions globally. The idea stemmed from a clear gap in the market which was a lack of dedicated scouting, development and management focused on Middle Eastern talents in the fashion industry.

This realization, coupled with my strong connection to Egypt and the broader region, fueled my determination to create a platform that not only scouts and develops models but also nurtures their careers internationally.

Tell us about the underlying idea behind the venture and its key areas of expertise.

At UNN, our specialty is scouting, development, and placement of both male and female models with renowned foreign agencies. We work directly with luxury brands such as Dior, Louis Vuitton, and Yves Saint Laurent in addition to well-known magazines such as Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Elle, and GQ.

Our capacity to offer seamless international representation is one of our main advantages. Whether a model is signed by us in Milan or any other fashion hub, we make sure they are professionally managed locally while we manage their career worldwide.

What are the key responsibilities that you shoulder as the CEO of UNN Model Management?

I focus on creating flexible plans and systems to help the agency grow while ensuring our models are welldeveloped. I also guide the company's creative direction by leveraging my industry knowledge to support our models professionally. This involves me being deeply invested in every step, from signing them internationally to aiding them overcome any obstacle that arises till they travel.

It is important to respect the cultural backgrounds of our talents in Egypt and beyond while meeting the demands of major fashion events like Milan and Paris Fashion Weeks. I also work with international agencies and casting directors to promote underrepresented Middle Eastern and African talent.

What have been the biggest ‘wins’ that you have achieved so far in your professional journey?

Seeing an evident shift in public perspective and providing opportunities to those who couldn’t find their path is a win I hold close to my heart. Some proud wins would also be our ground-breaking accomplishments such as scouting a model from an early age to become the first Egyptian face of MAC Cosmetics in the Middle East. Similarly, the first time an Egyptian woman to ever request a model visa at the French embassy in Egypt was one of our models during the Fashion Week in 2019.

Awards of Recognitions won so far:

We have been interviewed by major outlets such as CNN, and Vice. In the fashion domain, we have been covered by Grazia magazine and Harper’s bazaar. Our work has also been highlighted by Egyptian platforms such as Egyptian Streets and El Yom Seba. Internationally, we have been featured on France 24, which conducted an interview in Egypt that was picked up by numerous news platforms. In addition, Mediaset in Italy interviewed us in Italian.

Message for aspiring women leaders & entrepreneurs:

Young women who aspire to be leaders can become strong and influential in their careers by remaining curious and investing in their personal development, happiness, and mental health.

Iman Eldeeb, Founder & Ceo, UNN Model Management

Born and raised in Egypt, Iman Eldeeb studied fashion at NABA in Milan, where she graduated with a BA in Fashion Design and Styling. She then continued her studies at IED by taking a degree in filmmaking and editing. Iman was discovered by a fashion photographer during her first year of college during a night out in Milan. Since then, she has worked in numerous markets all over the world, appearing in editorials and features for magazines including Harper's Bazaar India, ELLE India, Vogue Italia, Femina, and others.