We recently connected with Kristin Gilbert and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Kristin , thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
I almost have always wanted to be a creative in many different ways. I originally was taken with the modeling industry, as well as the fashion, photography, makeup and hair artistry that all came together to create appealing ad campaigns and fashion shows for various companies/designers. I produced fashion shows for several years in Atlanta with friends, designers etc at local clubs/boutiques and my husband always helped me with music and creating ads/flyers for the events as well.
With working in the local modeling circuit and on fashion shows plus working part time job, I always managed to maintain my physical/mental health with exercise and yoga. People would tell me I should be a fitness teacher but didn’t think I had it in me, until I found Core Fusion Barre w/Fred DeVito and Lis Halfpapp(see my interview in Voyage Atlanta-link on my Instagram bio) and started doing yoga at home on video. I was taken with how not only it kept me strong, but helped my overall well being. It helped me deal with the past traumas of life occurrences, current daily issues and with the modeling industry. Plus, it built muscle tone, strength and flexibility. So I pursued teaching barre, yoga, plus general fitness type classes to help others make this a lifestyle that benefits their wellbeing. I have always had music/musicians in my life so that is an important aspect of my life that also keeps me happy. It is a big part of all experiences I create as well.
Kristin , 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 moved to Atlanta in my early 20s with then boyfriend now husband of many years. When I decided to pursue modeling, I learned about the industry and what I needed to do to become one. I had my portfolio made, went on castings for agencies in Atlanta, Miami and NYC plus attended a modeling convention. I worked hard to and went on numerous auditions and did a variety of print, runway, internet commercials and showroom modeling. Then like I said, I produced fashion events and fundraisers as well as started a small agency.
My life took a side road and I went into teaching barre, yoga and fitness. I spent my time and energy learning this new craft. I worked to learn from my gurus in those industries and still am consistently learning and evolving. I am very grateful to still be able to learn from them today and so many other amazing teachers. I love my job so much, it is so fulfilling and I love working with others to bring this wellness modality to our communities.
Along with all this,in the past 10+ years I’ve worked towards organic, ethical and sustainable fashion, food and habits(recycling, gardening etc) at home. I am more aware of how the fashion, food etc industries have such a major impact on our environment. I’ve worked to clean out my makeup, skincare, buy sustainable/consignment or thrift and eat more organic/non processed foods. It is always a challenge and I am very hopeful as there are so many more options plus brilliant minds coming up with solutions. I continue to work towards a more sustainable lifestyle and try to help others find ways & get interested in this so they want to learn more about it.
Now I feel I can combine all of these creative energies together and help bring it all to many others!
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
Taking care of myself and family is the most important thing in my life. My career is also very important of course, and keeping focused on letting the journey play out naturally at times. I can control certain parts like educating myself, honing my craft and pursuing what I feel is right for my life at the time. I have ebbed and flowed so much with where I felt like is the best for me at the time and with advice of my family, husband and even friends as well as yoga, exercise, meditation and journaling I have now come into a place in my work life I feel very excited, happy, confident and ready to learn so much more! I am also so ready to see what happens next in my story!
My journey led me to my job that I love so much leading and being part of an amazing group of teachers, connecting with/bringing yoga to our community, Yoga Six The Battery. I am so grateful to work for a fantastic woman who is the owner of our studio, Melinda, who works so hard on making this studio and team best it can be as well as working for an amazing company at Y6!
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
Coming together with so many extremely talented artists to work together on projects. Also meeting so many out of this world brilliant minds and being able to learn from them to grow in my own way. I am so grateful for this journey with my career paths I have taken, the life my husband and I have chosen and the people we’ve met along the way. We have had some amazing experiences and have been able to combine our loves of music, fashion and fitness together at times for both types of events and I cherish those moments so much.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bellamoda.studio
- Instagram: @bellamodaent @bellamodayoga
- Facebook: /BellaModaEnt
Image Credits
1. For Drea James Jewelry (Jenn Cook) @dreajamesjewelry 2 & 3. Jalynanne Photo @jalynannephoto