Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kelsey Lian. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Kelsey, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.
I decided to take a risk with high fashion modeling three years ago. Unfortunately, the fashion industry is notorious for putting people in specific ‘boxes’. The usual minimum height for female high fashion models is 5’9″. Standing at 5’6″, I’m automatically put into the petite category which fits into the commercial modeling ‘box’, more than high fashion. Although I do enjoy doing commercial modeling, it is not my main goal. My goal is to break the traditional barriers set in the fashion industry. I believe anyone can model and I want to help open up the high fashion industry to anyone. Looks can only take you so far, working hard and believing in yourself take you farther. This outlook is a risk in the fashion industry as I’m challenging what’s been the accepted norm for decades. Numerous modeling agencies have turned me down because of my lack of height and I’ve been overlooked frequently over the years for modeling opportunities in general. Despite everything going against me, I’ve managed to break into the high fashion modeling ‘box’ that so many tried to keep me out of. I’ve been modeling for a little over six years now and decided to take it more seriously three years ago when my current agency, Chez Les Mannequins signed me. I started out as an intern in the agency and then submitted a model application for myself after getting to know the agency and those who run it. They got me into my first New York Fashion Week show in 2022 and I’ve learned a lot from them ever since about how to get more high fashion related experience. I’m currently twenty-four years old now and have had the privilege of runway modeling for roughly forty immensely talented fashion designers in about twenty different shows. Of these shows, my most proudest accolades are getting to runway model for numerous big production New York Fashion Week runway shows. I’ve also had the privilege of being featured with tons of other creatives in over 20 magazine issues, my biggest one yet being L’Officiel Magazine which was also through my agency, Chez Les Mannequins. My agency helped me break into the high fashion world in the New York area, but I also put in the effort into finding the majority of jobs and experiences for myself that I do now and have accomplished in the past. I want to keep breaking boundaries in the industry. Being petite means having to put in more effort, which I am more than willing to do. I’m vertically challenged but up for the challenge!
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?
My name is Kelsey Lian and I am a fashion model and artist. I’ve enjoyed making art all of my life and recently graduated with a studio art degree from the University of North Carolina Wilmington. I’ve also been modeling since 2016, while taking a quick break during COVID to figure out if it was something I really wanted to pursue. I thoroughly enjoy the creative side of the fashion world and love to be a part of its artistic visions. My background in studio art helps me enhance others’ art while also inspiring art of my own whether it be through modeling, painting, drawing, or screen printing. Fashion is my favorite form of art that I have the privilege of creating with other artists through various types of photoshoots, runway shows, hair shows, magazines, and promotional events. Painting and drawing all of my life has given me a deeper sense of understanding and appreciation for all of the creativity and work that goes into whatever form of art I get to be a part of. I am the most proud of the creative connections I’ve made and how I get to be inspired by them. My hope is that I can inspire others the way they inspire me. The most important part about any work I do is the overall visual appeal and the ideas used in order to achieve it. I’m drawn to color and how different colors interact with each other and how each individual part of an art piece enhances the overall result of the artwork. Art has taught me that every single contribution, no matter how small or large, all add to the overall importance and meaning of the final result. This goes for my studio work and my modeling work. I appreciate the creative visions that go into it all as I am able to perceive it from the artist’s point of view.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist and creative is being able to give others inspiration and helping them achieve their creative goals as well. It’s so fun to be a part of someone else’s creative vision while also making creative visions of my own. I love seeing what I can accomplish with others and how satisfied they are with the results of their art when I’m able to contribute in any way to it. Whether it be through modeling according to someone else’s vision or modeling one of my own ideas, it’s so fulfilling to see that type of art come together in the end. I get the privilege of being able to take inspiration from the fashion world and use it in my studio art projects and vice versa. It’s also so rewarding when others receive inspiration from what I do. Being a part of something bigger, especially a supportive creative community is the best part of being a creative myself.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
The number one person and supporter in my life, who’s been to almost every single one of my modeling ventures, is my mom. Living in North Carolina, it’s not easy to be in New York Fashion Week shows. She helped me with travel, always traveled there with me, and went to every single casting, show, and photoshoot with me. She’d wait for hours on end during these things, because she believed in me and saw how much I enjoyed modeling. It’s safe to say she’s a huge part of my modeling journey, and I wouldn’t have been able to achieve half of the things I have without her. At the end of last year, our world turned upside down when my mom was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer. I put everything else in my life on hold and quickly moved back home to be with her and help in any way I could. I haven’t participated in a modeling opportunity since and have been dedicating every waking moment to being strong for the both of us. My mom has been so strong throughout this whole process which has encouraged me to stay strong as well. Going through the hardest time of our lives has forced me to be more resilient than ever before. Although I haven’t been able to continue modeling recently, I’ve been creating more pieces of art through drawing and painting. My situation has given me a newfound inspiration to do so. My art isn’t just for me anymore, it’s for me and my mom. It’s for something bigger than just me. Once I’m able to get back into modeling again, I know that this form of art in my life will also come back stronger than ever because if there’s one thing I’ve learned from all of this, it’s that resilience is so important and I’ve got a lot of it.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @kelseyy.lian
Image Credits
Ellie McKinney
Arun Nevader
Abigail Whitehurst
Tom Marvel
Sammy Hamilton