We recently connected with Dylan Horning and have shared our conversation below.

Dylan, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

I haven’t always earned a full-time living solely from my creative work—but rather I’ve found a unique balance that allows me to thrive in both worlds. I currently work remotely as an Environmental Scientist/Consultant, which gives me the professional flexibility to actively pursue my fashion and runway career.

In the earlier stages of my career, I didn’t have this kind of balance. I was focused on building stability and gaining experience in the environmental field, which often meant working in a more traditional, location-dependent role.

Finding my niche was a process. I’m incredibly thankful for how my dual career unfolded, but it’s one of those things that takes time to discover what one truly values in a career. If I could go back, I think I would have trusted the possibility of a nontraditional career path a bit sooner and been more open to creative ways of blending my passions.

So while I don’t make a full-time living from my runway and modeling work alone, I’ve designed a lifestyle where both sides of my identity—scientific and creative—can coexist and support each other. That, to me, feels like success.

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

Whether I am wading through a swamp or walking the runway, I found a way to bridge these seemingly different worlds. And believe it or not, there’s more crossover than you’d think—both careers have unexpectedly required rubber pants and thigh-high boots at one point or another. Jokes aside, I want people to know you don’t have to be one thing or choose between logic-driven sciences and creativity—you can design a life/career that includes both. Merge your purpose with passion.

I began my environmental career as a research ecologist in the public sector and then transitioned into the private sector as an environmental consultant. My entry into the fashion industry was equally as intentional, if not slightly unconventional.

I owe my first runway experience to Gam Calderon, the founder of House of Gam, a Tampa-originated fashion brand. House of Gam focuses on utilizing upcycled and recycled materials to develop their garments. Gam and I were both starting out in our respective careers—his in sustainable fashion, mine in environmental science—and with my interest in the runway industry, it felt like a natural partnership. I had the privilege to walk in his first runway show and continued to model in his various clothing lines. Today, Gam is growing his brand in New York City, and I couldn’t be more proud to have been a part of those early days.

Since that first show, my journey as a runway model has grown exponentially. I’ve had the honor of modeling in high-profile events for Porsche and walking in shows featuring household names like Neiman Marcus, Dillards and Nordstrom—something I never could have imagined during my first time on the runway. Each show has pushed me to refine my presence, embrace new styles, and continue advocating for conscious fashion from within the industry.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

First and foremost, I’ve learned the importance of knowing the client’s brand. In fashion, that awareness goes a long way. Sometimes a client wants charisma, energy, and personality to shine through on the runway or in a shoot—other times, they want the clothes to speak for themselves. Understanding the designer’s vision and adjusting accordingly shows that you’re not just a model, but a collaborator who respects creative direction.

And honestly—just being fun (yet professional) goes a long way! Modeling often means long days on set with lots of downtime in between looks or shows. Having an upbeat attitude and not taking yourself too seriously makes the experience better for everyone.

At the end of the day, as a model, your reputation is built on more than just your ‘look’—it’s about how you collaborate, how you adapt with grace, and how you treat people on and off the runway. That’s what keeps you getting booked again and again.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy for growing my clientele has been a mix of starting local, building genuine relationships, and consistently showing up prepared to market myself.

Lets be real; very few of us are plucked off the street and dropped onto New York Fashion Week’s runway overnight. I started by getting involved with local designers and smaller runway shows, which not only gave me valuable experience but helped me understand the pace and professionalism expected in the industry. I also sought out photographers and makeup artists who were just starting out and offered to collaborate. Supporting fellow artists who are at a similar point in their journey creates a strong, reliable network—and those early collaborations often evolve into long-term professional relationships.

And finally, coming to every show prepared to promote myself. You. Are. Your. Best. Advocate. I always bring a comp card or have a digital portfolio ready to share, no matter the scale of the event. You never know who’s watching—stylists, casting directors, photographers, or designers looking for a fresh face. Making it easy for people to contact you makes a huge difference.

Ultimately, what has worked for me is a combination of professionalism, unapologetic networking, self-advocacy, and consistency. The more you show support for fellow creators, show up, and stay ready, the more opportunities will come your way.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Everyday Account: @doyourdo Professional Modeling Account: @dylan.skylark

Image Credits

Noemi Olah
David Carvajal