We ask casting director Julia Samersova / Cast Inc., who just launched her website, 5 questions.

1-Why do you love casting?

The thing I adore about casting the most is finding a raw talent first and watching the model blossom into a star. It is an amazing feeling to know that you possess an eye and have your finger on the pulse of what is to come next. I love meeting all these young kids and listening to their “stories”. I also really love understanding what my clients need and providing them with the best model possible for their brand or project.

2- Name an inspirational person in fashion to you.

My mother. As a hair stylist in the 1980’s, she would always bring home magazines from the salon. Vogue, Harper’s etc. I was a very young girl at the time and fascinated with models. I went on to make HUGE collages out of cut up Vogues. They still hang in my mother’s house. Linda, Christy, Naomi, Cindy, etc. All over the walls. When I applied for an internship at Company Management in 1993, I actually knew how to answer the questions of “who is your favorite photographer and stylist” etc. I owe the worship of models and fashion to my mother and Michael Flutie for hiring a 17 year old girl from Brooklyn. He had a vision and I am eternally grateful to him for my entire career.

3- Favorite new faces of this past season.

Katie Fogarty. Her professionalism and high energy and smile. I just love her and so do all my clients. Tabea Kobach, for her otherworldly presence and eyes. Madisyn Ritland is just gorgeous. Constance Jablonski, because she is a throw back to a real SUPERMODEL. Imogen Morris-Clarke, because she is the epitome of cool to me.

4- All time favorite model.

Renee Simonsen. Because she is the 1st model I was obsessed with when I was very very young and she reminds me of Rianne Ten Haken, who is one of my all time faves. Models who actually knew how to model and gave 100% of themselves every single time. They shine! They are aspirational to women all over the world.

5- In these times of recession, why is it still so important for clients to use a casting director?

Because in the long run, a casting director, with their knowledge and expertise and relationships, can save the client a lot of money by knowing the market place and how to negotiate rates.

Saving a few thousand on a shoot and hiring the wrong model, can end up costing the client thousands in reshoots and production costs. The most important part of casting is not only to find a beautiful face, but a model that can really perform for a client. A good CD should be connected enough and experienced enough where they can recommend only those types of models.

Check out Julia’s brand new website, Castinnyc.com.

Julia Samersova.