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Meet Robert Black, the most fashionable man you’ve (probably) never heard of. Currently the owner of the vintage fashion trove, Fashion by Robert Black, Black is better known as the founder of one of the Valley’s premier modeling firms. Named the Ford Robert Black Agency, it was formed 15 years ago after Black partnered with the iconic NY-based talent agency, Ford Models. Recently, we spoke with this couture clothier about life in the fab lane, including his involvement with the upcoming Valley Vintage Fashion Show. Check out the full Q&A and savor more photos of Black’s fav fashions after the jump.

Are you originally from the Valley?

I wasn’t born in Arizona, but my family moved here in 1968 and I was raised and went to high school here.

When did you first get into the modeling agency industry and when did you start your own agency?

I began in the late 70′s and worked for a couple different department stores. Eventually, I went to work for Marica Fine, who owned a modeling and talent agency, and then bought it a few years later in the mid 1980′s.

When did you first merge with the Ford modeling agency and are you still affiliated with them?
Yes, we are still affiliated and we first merged in 1995. At the time, there was a big influx into Arizona by German clients based out of Miami. I was approached by several agencies, but chose Ford because we held the same values in business.

Do you have any juicy modeling stories for us? Difficult models, disastrous designers?
There are about as many good as bad. This industry attracts eccentric types so you just have to go with the flow.

When did you first become interested in the fashion industry?
I have always been around it (fashion). I had a fashionable family and I looked at what they did a lot. In high school, I was in a theater class and worked behind the scenes for plays which got me interested in the business side of the industry as well.

What led you to open your own vintage clothing boutique?
After selling the agency, I took a break and worked on a couple projects. I wanted to do something different. I love learning from past vintage fashion. I love how things were done by hand, how they were manufactured and there was no one else that did vintage the way I liked to shop for it. I wanted a contemporary boutique in pristine condition with vintage fashion and that’s what we have.

Have you ever been interested in a career as a designer?
I can’t even draw a straight line, but I am fascinated by it. I love the new up and coming minds.

How do you go about choosing the fashions to be featured in your collection?
They have to strike us emotionally – the color, fabric, detail, cut, designer – we must get excited about it. It’s an eclectic collection of pieces, but we love the value the items have in their fabric and color construction

What fashion era do you feel most inspired by?
Mostly the 50′s and 60′s, but I lean towards the 40′s as well. I love the great architectural design of the 80′s. There was a lot of craziness, but also some simple, classic elegance which I like.

Are there any particular designers you feel inspired by?
I admire James Galanos who was very popular in the 50′s, 60′s and 70′s. I love the fabric choices, you can look at the garment from the inside out and the construction is unbelievable. He made women look classically beautiful with a Hollywood feel.

How did you get involved with the Valley Vintage Fashion Show?
I was asked to do the show because the Hotel Valley Ho wanted to step back to the 50′s with fashion involved. Our store is just down the street and they asked if we’d help put the show together. It is a beautiful collection of 50′s clothing and the only thing not customary to the 50′s are the shoes. Everything else is, we wanted to construct the show to be authentic.

7144 E. First Ave., 480-664-7770

Images courtesy of Fashion by Robert Black

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