We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Brandi Victoria a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Brandi, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your creative career sooner or later?

Part of me wish I would’ve pursued my creative career sooner. I go back and forth with myself on this topic regularly and can think of many reasons both options benefit me. If I would’ve started sooner, I probably wouldn’t have the issues getting signed by an agency because of my age. 34 is not old at all, but in the modeling world, I’m ancient. I was a lot smaller when I was younger, I was less opinionated, more flexible. All those things attract modeling agencies. I noticed the older and wiser I get, the more risks I take. I’m less afraid of failing, I’m more confident in myself, I walk with my head held high and I lead. I believe my creative path has landed me exactly where I need to be. It’s almost as if the older I get, the less stagnant I have become. I am doing things I never thought I would be able to do. I’ve walked the runway at 33 at New York Fashion week with 18- and 19-year-olds, I have become a known fashion model and influential figure in my hometown of Detroit. I’m thankful for my life’s journey.

Brandi, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am a mother, fashion model, runway coordinator, and model coach. I am also the Senior VP of Polo and Pretty Women and a Detroit Fashion Choice Council member. These are two very prestigious organizations where we curate and showcase the culture of creatives in our city, and we have the opportunity to incorporate the elegance of the sport, Polo and Fashion at our yearly events.

I have always been interested in modeling at very young. I even auditioned for America’s Next Top Model when I was 19, but early on my life took a different direction. I officially started pursuing modeling almost 5 years ago. I randomly saw a casting call for a fashion show of a friend and decided to go. I had recently got divorced and was in the headspace where I felt I needed to do everything I ever wanted to do. So, I went got casted by multiple designers and walked in my very first fashion show. Throughout the years I continued to participate in many shows and started getting requests help other models with their walk. That started my coaching career and turned into getting booked for fashion shows as the lead model coach. I specifically help models improve their runway walk, help build confidence, and provide these services to help create a successful fashion show.

What sets me aside from other individuals who provide the same services is my ability to gauge what a person needs on a personal level. Not everyone gets into modeling for the same reason. Some people need something to connect themselves with, some people want to feel seen, some people actually want to model professionally, and some people just need a boost of confidence. I aim to create a safe and expressive space where individuals can be free, learn, and grow into the creatives they are meant to be.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I get to help transform individuals from being not so confident to feeling like they can conquer the world. It makes me feel so good that I can empower men and women to step outside the box and accomplish their dreams. Its more than just modeling it’s a transformation. When I step onto runway or in front of a camera for a photoshoot, I feel a sense of peace, I feel like I can do anything. The passion that I have for helping others achieve that same feeling is what the best reward.

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

What I am most proud of is that my children are able to witness me breaking barriers. I stopped modeling before I even had the opportunity to really give it a true shot. I now coach and inspire other models to go as far as their abilities allow them too. I dropped out of high school my senior year and made the decision to never return to school. I have not only made it this far professionally. I also now hold my bachelor’s degree in business administration, and I will soon graduate with my master’s in business administration at the end of the year. This most definitely illustrates my resilience.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: b_victorious
• Facebook: Brandi Victoria
• Other: Email: [email protected]

Image Credits
Skooty Visions Nicholas Jones Lajuan Spears Erin McConnell Ricardo Thornton Katie Novak Craig Lewis Heather Bunkelman