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If South Beach had a walk of fame, Irene Marie's star would be front and center.
As founder and owner of Irene Marie Management Group, Irene Marie is regarded as an icon in South Florida, credited with spearheading the modeling scene in the region. After enjoying success as a high fashion model in Paris, Irene Marie returned to her native home of Miami, Florida and brought her modeling industry experience with her.
In the early 1980s, a visit from a fashion industry leader in Paris proved to be a life-altering event for Irene Marie. With the opportunity offered to partner in opening a modeling agency together, Irene Marie once again packed her bags for Paris, and trained with her associate to learn the ins and outs of the business. The year-round warm weather, blue skies, sandy beaches and Art Deco architecture of South Florida seemed to be the perfect backdrop for photo shoots and fashion spreads. Realizing the potential of the area, Irene Marie returned to Fort Lauderdale after training and opened the city's first professional model management office in 1981. In 1989, in a prophetic move, she relocated her company to Ocean Drive in Miami, which was instrumental in the revival of South Beach.
Instrumental in establishing South Florida's acceptance as a fashion mecca, Irene Marie diligently worked with state and local officials in developing positive growth and revitalization in the South Beach area. Her work paid off, and in the 1990s South Beach was recognized as a key locale and was dubbed the "third fashion capital of the world."
Irene Marie soon became internationally renowned as a leading force in both the fashion and talent management industries, discovering hot new faces such as then 14-year old Nikki Taylor. Under Irene's trained eye and skillful management, Taylor skyrocketed to national and international fame, at the time appearing on more magazine covers than anyone else her age. Driven by the successful launches of Nikki Taylor and Garcelle Beuavais-Nilon from the blockbuster movie Barbershop 2: Back in Business, along with former talent including Kimora Lee Simmons, model and mastermind of the Baby Phat empire, TV stars Adewale Akinnuoye Agbaje of Lost, Shemar Moore of Criminal Minds, David Fumero of One Life to Live and Galen Gerring of Passions. Irene Marie grew her business by incorporating additional divisions. The last five years have marked the emergence of Irene Marie Creative Management, Irene Marie Publishing, Irene Marie Latin Division and Irene Marie Sports Management. In 2006 Irene Marie along with MTV launched the widely successful television series 8th & Ocean which chronicled the lives of models and staff at the Irene Marie Modeling agency.
But balance and family life are of paramount importance to Irene Marie. Not only does she run a hugely successful agency, but she is also the matriarch of her large family. A mother of five children, her youngest 11 years old, Irene Marie takes her role as nurturer very seriously, not only in her personal life, but also as it relates to business. While living on her own, modeling in Paris at age 19, Irene Marie felt adrift and without a proper support system. This experience taught her to cherish those around her, a lesson Irene Marie has valued. She is the den mother to her models, sharing her knowledge and providing a comforting home base for the more than 1000 faces that comprise her talent base.
Throughout the years, Irene Marie has achieved many accolades in her industry, including the 2005 Women in International Trade (WIT) Award for outstanding achievement in promoting South Florida as a center for international business and trade. Irene is also a member of the Film, Fashion, Music and Entertainment Task Force of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau and is an active mentor with Women of Tomorrow. In 2007, in recognition of her continued contribution to the fashion and entertainment industries, The City of Miami Beach presented Irene Marie with the key to the city and proclaimed July 11th as 'Irene Marie Day'.
