Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Nautica Gant. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Nautica, thanks for joining us today. Has your work ever been misunderstood or mischaracterized?

For a minute people use to categorize me as an Instagram model and it honestly rubbed me the wrong way. I take pride and a lot of effort goes into making these shoots happen. I have full creative control and I love to see my vision come to life. So when people used to say that I was an Instagram model, it made me feel some type away because I actually put a lot of effort into my shoots versus Instagram Models are just a pretty face. I want people to know me as a professional model not just someone who post pretty pictures on IG. I also do runway modeling as well so I never understood why people would say that. I look back and say those people just didn’t know what they were talking about. The PROFESSIONALS see my craft and that’s all that matters

Nautica, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Well, my name is Nautica, spelled just like the brand. I’m a model, I make music, I’m a creative Director, i’m a stylist, makeup artist and I also have my own clothing brand. I have a lot of other creative avenues I’m in as well, I make and sell custom ashtrays/rolling trays, jewelry and keychains. I have a degree in Fashion which is my first passion and I’ve been modeling since I was 15 years old. I knew since the 4th grade what I wanted to be when I grew up and I’ve been living the dream since I pursued my modeling career. I like to think outside the box when it comes to creating visuals and shoots and I think that makes me stand out a lot. Instead of looking at a mood board I want to be the mood board I want people to feel inspired when they see my work.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I want to be financially stable, I’m pretty sure everyone does but my goal is to be able to provide for my family. A life I dreamed of having and being able to live out the scenarios I replay in my head. LOL. Being able to buy my family a house, get my mom a car she always wanted, gifting loads of gifts on Christmas people being able to look at me and see that I’m successful and thriving, having my younger siblings look up and be proud of me is what thrives me to become successful

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Fund more programs that help to build small businesses. IG has become a place where you can simple buy anything you see with a click of a button. I find that the apps algorithm doesn’t help small businesses at all. With only a small percentage of your following being able to see your post it’s hard to promote your business when you think everyone is able to see it IG will push other post for whatever reason because it happens to me a lot. I’ll post about my work or business and it won’t be seen but if it’s a sexy photo the whole world sees it. It’s weird and they should do better. Have more grants, open the pool up to more than 1 person there are a ton of businesses that need help starting up, not a lot if people willing to give the knowledge they need to grow.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @nautibyenature
• Twitter: @nautinautica
• Youtube: @NautiBugatti
• Tiktok: @nautibugatti

Image Credits
@kunleolafisoye_photography @ brandon_portray_photography @msa.visuals @shyproductions_ @quiqui_tzu @phelanmarc @rell_ent