We were lucky to catch up with Toni Barajas recently and have shared our conversation below.

Toni, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

Learning the ins and outs of the Fashion industry for me hasn’t been something I cherish ,Growing up in the industry is the biggest blessing I have had, taking all the yes’s and milking them (as my godfather says) and the no’s as a moment to grow and self reflect.
I don’t think that knowing what I know now I would want to speed up the process, like I said before I enjoyed taking every challenge and moment to teach me something. I believe gods timing is never wrong.
The most essential skill for me has been balance, balance in time, relationships and self.
The biggest obstacle has been learning that not everyone wants the best for you even if you want that for them… that’s where balance comes to play.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

AHHH, the thing is this should be the easiest question but I find it so hard to answer. Well, my name is Toni Barajas, I’ve been in the Fashion, modeling industry for a little over 10 years already. I started in pageantry, where I held numerous state, and international titles. Here is where I grew the love for fashion, and inspiring others. I have modeled in numerous places such as Rhode Island, New York, Los Angeles, Massachusetts. I have also been featured in a few magazines.
I most recently have coached girls in pageantry and for fashion shows, I am currently the Program Coordinator for Model Up Next 401. I created my own platform The Evolution Of…, where I plan to continue to inspire, grow, and motivate others to be their best self’s in all aspects of their life’s. I like to think that at the moment this is the thing I’m most proud of being the great turn out I had for my first fashion show…. So stay tuned for the plans I have coming for that in November!!
I also am very interested in law, I currently working at a law firm in Rhode Island practicing Injury and Criminal Law at the Law Office of Mike Lombardi and Robert Russo. I have taken a small brake from College at Roger Williams University, and I’m supper excited to continue my studies very very soon.
At the moment I’m most proud of the people around me and hearing how much I inspire others. At the young age I am at now I feel like the ability I have to do so is truly something I am grateful to do everyday. I wouldn’t ask for any other way to live my life.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

In my view, society as a whole can help our youth, it may sound so normal to hear but they are our future. I believe by being able to help them navigate life, support others, and be loving to others. We are able to push for a better future for them.
The world we live in now can be scary to navigate and just by understanding as a community or a whole we are better together, we are able to push past the obstacles that as a community we face.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I believe a time I showed my resilience was about a year ago loosing my grandfather, then a great friend in the industry, then having to make the decision of losing school, while questioning what my next steps where In my life. I still managed to get up every day and be strong for those around me and those I loved was something that taught me so so much about myself.

Here is where I found the push needed to make The Evolution of… celebrating my communities growth, my growth, and here is where I learned we are strongest when we feel we have nothing better in life to do. In my darkest place In life I was able to make something beautiful. So i am super excited to continue this!!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @tonibarajas @theevolutionof_

Image Credits

@byantonyphotography
@junebugg_media
@luminousviews
@swaywayproductions
@anniesvanity_
@gomez.creatives
@mjhproductions_