Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristiann Colasacco.
Kristiann, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
As a person who wears many creative hats I’m going to tell you how I have gotten to where I currently stand today as a Interior Designer, Model and travel advisor in one phrase. That phrase is “Many levels brought many devils’. Every time I have leveled up in my life it was never once through an act of convenience or subtle nuances. It was due to something crazy traumatic catapulting me out of my comfort zone to force me to really get it together and figure out how to get the next level activated. Of course with this creates new obstacles to face. It creates facing people who you might have expected to receive full support from that ultimately did not provide that. It means possibly creating new toxic patterns to try to fit inside of a mold that you think will sustain your success.
In the world of design and Modeling both simultaneously occurring at once I had made many friends and colleagues though out my career. It was until I truly sought out on my own that i realized many of the people I thought were my back bone and ‘support system’ were actually just using me for what I can do for them or how I can promote or make their businesses money. When time came to pull back and focus on filling up my own cup they were suddenly nowhere to be found. It got to a point where certain Design industry colleagues were watching my every move and reporting to each other when one wasn’t present on every conversation I had or interaction I had which they ironically accidentally texted ME my own actions rather than the other person. After that I knew it was my time to go out on my own and never look back. So That is what i did, I was terrified to not have a ‘steady income’ but i trusted Blind Faith and The Universe delivered! I pooled all of my resources, made phone calls, made bad investments and learned from my own mistakes! Success is far from linear. You have to be willing to gamble on yourself and paint the picture in your mind of the future and what it is you want to see for your future life.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The struggles will forever continue because that is just part of life, however some key point struggles that I have faced were trusting that everyone has the mindset and heart that I have! developing expectations that broke my heart from people who were supposed to grow with me and grow collectively! For example, an exe business partner and I had big plans to expand and find a new space to collectively expand both of our businesses into one. I soon found out they had been seeking new locations and secured a new one without even consulting or discussing with me as we had been speaking and planning the outline for many months almost even a year! This taught me that collaborating to that level is not something I am further interested in. You get to a point where you truly just do not have the capacity to entertain false narratives that people promise you and false success.
In the world of Modeling I have faced such physical criticism that I developed an eating disorder at a young age and a lot of self worth bruising. When I first moved to LA for college I re-entered modeling world as a print work model and some back up dancing work for a music videos just for fun to see where it can take me. A photographer wanted me to get naked and I refused to do so as it was only a fashion photoshoot and thankfully I brought a firm friend with me to the shoot and after I refused he told me I was far too obese to have any success in the industry and that I will never make it! After that I felt very low and whilst I shouldn’t have, I was very young and living in a town full of dreamers and many pretentious people as well , so this absolutely did not aide my self confidence. I began creating cocktails of a variety of diet pills to curb my hunger however I was also very financially unstable able. I could literally only afford fast food such as taco bell, KFC and quick little bites that were not in any shape healthy! I eventually gave up on that to focus on my degree in Interior design. fast forward a few years I had received an opportunity to do some head shots and create a ne set of images that required me to spend a lot of money. The images did not go well at that time there was zero make up as promised, zero retouching to make the images properly lit and well formatted and again I was left feeling defeated as if I once again got duped in the industry! I was so over it until I joined a casting network one year after getting my heart broken and needing new creative stimulation in my life, I received a amazing opportunity to be featured in my first ever real fitness and spiritually wellness magazine! This was GOLD for me as that is everything that I stand for. The whole shoot was very much professional, everything went incredibly well and I finally felt like I found my calling! This also had a question segment that gave me my first platform to speak on some important issues i had faced in my life that could potentially help others! After that was publish New doors opened for me, I walked in NYFW and Miami Swim week for smaller brands but that foot in the door led to more doors! I’m am now signed with an incredible agency located in NYC and I am looking forward to the next layer in a healthy manner in hopes of inspiring others to remain true to their roots while navigating a difficult industry!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My creative abilities range from interior design, tee shirt design, furniture design and some creative writing based on things I have been through! Fashion was my first love so I do use my wardrobe as a canvas as well! I love to utilize my visions when I’m in the creator mode! If I struggle to visualize what I’m looking for than I have to step back and look for outside inspiration through travel!
For example, when I was 16 years old I had this hunger for a specific space solution in my bedroom under a regular double hung window with an ugly radiator beneath it. I wanted a wall mount bench with storage but I wanted it glamorous and edgy! It didn’t exist! I couldn’t find it anywhere! So I sketched out exactly my vision and went to my father (a builder) and said we are building this, let’s go! He naturally was not for it at the first go around until I began ‘starting the process’ on my own in his garage and he obliged to help! When it was all finished I felt a sense of power I never experienced before! I knew I had this crazy creative tick in me brewing for more!
Years later I began creating unique pieces for my clients! Now my goal is to launch an accent piece line made to order! I strive to bring a real unique design experience to my clients by introducing a vibe they may have not thought of in their initial mind for what they thought they wanted! Painting a vision for them helps open them up to new possibilities and ultimately learn more about themselves in the process as well!
What was your favorite childhood memory?
Growing up I was always very creative! I found solace and fullfillment in a state of constant creativity and would hand sew dresses, make furniture for my Barbie dream house, make purses out of bandannas and build bird houses with my father regularly! Looking back at my ability to do those things at such a young age starting at 10 really makes my heart so full!
I’ve always been ‘a late bloomer’ , always was the kid picked ‘last’ , was friends (or friendly) with everyone but nobody really cared to be MY friend. This is why I started creating my own opportunities’ ! As I got older (after high school) is when people started to realize my character and started to finally respect me! I’m proud of every obstacle I faced because without those I would not be where I am today!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://k-annkreationsdesignltd.com/
- Instagram: @kristiannityc
Image Credits
Parker Harris – PHStudios