We were lucky to catch up with Alie Muscella recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. The first dollar you earn is always exciting – it’s like the start of a new chapter and so we’d love to hear about the first time you sold or generated revenue from your creative work?

I had been modeling for years at this point, just thinking this was a hobby aside from school and later on, work. I saw that a lash artist that owns a lash brand put out a casting call for models needed for a branding shoot. I figured that it would be the typical TFP (Trade for Print) shoot, where no monetary amount is collected from either party and we’re just helping each other out with content. She asked how much I charge for an hourly rate and I was really surprised this would be my first paid shoot. I of course completely undervalued myself with the rate, just being excited this was a turning point for me, but I was so proud of myself and finally getting a paid gig. It was a wonderful experience and from that point, I began getting more opportunities for paid photoshoots.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Of course! I originally got into modeling actually in my freshman year of college. I went to Philadelphia University for their fashion design program (which I only lasted a year in before switching to the graphic design program), where I met extremely talented fashion designers who needed fit models for their garments — a fit model is essentially a human mannequin for a garment and it gives the designer an actual body to work with and move with their garment to make it more practical for wear. I was excited to wear some of my friends designs and this completely blew up for me to the extent that I was modeling for about 20 people a semester. I think the average fit model at the time was modeling for 3 designers at most, so I was definitely enjoying modeling and accepting as many opportunities as I could. From being a fit model, I was directed to the modeling club at school, where I learned how to walk on a runway for runway opportunities with the fashion students as well. I loved runway modeling even more than fit modeling and I ended up making my way to the president position of the modeling club, where I became a modeling coach for the most part to the other members. My first runway show was a school fashion show and I remember being nervous, but excited. I was completely nowhere near perfect in my walk, but I had an amazing time and continued to look for opportunities where I could walk the runway again. With getting practice and experience, I eventually walked in New York Fashion Week for the first time in 2017 for a designer I met while in school. After walking in New York Fashion Week, I tried some print modeling, which I wasn’t very familiar with at the time. My first photoshoot was nothing to plaster in magazines, but it was the turning point of my modeling career where I was becoming more well-rounded as a model. I was letting print opportunities trickle in between school and work, and eventually I became a lot more comfortable with it and began making connections with other creatives in the Philadelphia area, where I grew up and went to school. I was also beginning to add some creative control to shoots, where I flourished, with styling and concept ideas. This continued for quite some time and I was making lasting friendships and creative partner connections. Fast forward to today — I moved to Nashville from Philadelphia and I am continuing to make amazing connections in the industry. I also recently signed with Premiere Models in Nashville as my first agency experience and I am so thrilled to see where that takes me!

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding part about being a creative is inspiring others to come into themselves as I once did. Whenever people say to me “I could never model” I challenge them and ask “why not?” I believe that everyone deserves their time in the limelight if they’re thinking about it and they deserve feeling confident in their own skin. I constantly advocate for people to be themselves and to give it their all in their confidence journey. It is so wonderful working with people who try out modeling potentially and seeing them grow into themselves and shine in their own skin.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

I think a lot of people just think of modeling as wearing pretty clothes and standing in front of a camera and that’s all there is to it. I don’t think people realize the ways you have to contort your body in heels at most times, learn to have a photogenic appearance (which is not easy to learn), and deal with the criticism of the internet and the industry. Modeling is hours of planning, constantly learning, putting your vulnerable self out there, and emotionally recharging. It’s such a rollercoaster sometimes and I wish people could experience it first-hand to know what blood, sweat, and tears can really go into it.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: instagram.com/shortforalessandra

Image Credits
Ryan Nix, Ryan Hamblin, NTP Photography, Masters of Light Studio, James Isaac Jones Photography, Bob Mantz, Inframe_jp