Decked Out: Supermodel Maker Scott Lipps

Before Scott Lipps became president of One Management — a modeling and branding agency where he oversees the careers of super-models including Helena Christensen, Bar Refaeli and   — he drummed for 1990s sleaze-rock band Black Cherry. “Drumming is something you either take to or don’t,” says Lipps. “I don’t think my family thought it would turn into a career.”

Although the 45-year-old isn’t gigging out on the Sunset Strip anymore, he has kept music at the forefront of his company’s agenda. Eight years ago, Lipps launched a division that links editorial opportunities to clients such as ASAP Rocky, Cassie, Tiesto, Courtney Love and Nicki Minaj. “We’ve been behind things like ASAP’s L’Uomo Vogue cover and Courtney Love’s YSL campaign,” says Lipps, whose 2013 book, Poplipps, gives readers a photographic behind-the-scenes look at his job and celeb relationships.

Lipps got to know Love after he performed an impromptu set at One Management’s 10th-anniversary celebration in 2011. The Hole singer was so impressed that she hired him as her tour drummer. “It was one of the best nights of my life,” Lipps says of the party. “A month later, I was in Brazil with Kanye West and The Black Eyed Peas, headlining for 30,000 people.”

Given the demands of his schedule, it’s unsurprising that much of Lipps’ time is spent outside of the apartment he has shared with fashion-publicist girlfriend Erin Cullison (and their Pomeranian, Beckham) for the past three years — but when he gets home, the minimalist aesthetic keeps him centered. And then, of course, there’s the Roland drum set that sits in the corner of his bedroom. Says Lipps, “It’s my oasis.”

GETS HIS KICKS: “I probably have 25 pairs of these Golden Goose sneakers. They’re made in Italy and kind of like Converse, but they come with the already beat-up look.”

 

ACTUALLY LOVE: “Courtney wrote the forward to my book, and it’s hysterical.”

 

FOR THE RECORD: “You can make a statement about what you’re into with only a few vinyls. For me, that’s Radiohead, [Led] Zeppelin, White Stripes, Ramones and Nirvana.”

 

PUPPY PILE: “I had this pillow made for my girlfriend Erin’s birthday. If you think I’m obsessed with [Beckham the dog] … you should see her.”

 

This story first appeared in the Oct. 18 issue of Billboard magazine.