Me being the over analyzing Virgo that I am, I often find myself looking back and asking that question, “do I wish I had started this all sooner? Could I have pursued modeling at a younger age?” In the most honest way I can be, I do say yes. Being a 28 year old model although isn’t uncommon, however I always felt like I had the creative abilities within me the whole time. I admit this well knowing it definitely took some inner work, lessons learned the hard way, mistakes, and adversities along the way. I was always taking photos and making fashion and beauty related content since I was high school, so I know that creative bone was always in my body.
Although I wish I had developed the self confidence to put myself out there sooner, I wouldn’t change the outcome for anything else. The reality of it all is something I truly came into terms with good or bad, and very proud of what I’ve accomplished thus far.

I am a merchandise buyer and model. I’ve spent the last 8 years building myself up in the fashion industry ranging from social media marketing, merchandise buying, livestream hosting, to product development. On my own, I’ve built my modeling portfolio up in the last 18 months, being signed with an agency, recently walking in LA Fashion week, and worked with different brands and photographers. I do carry the most weight in my experience with product, specifically in merchandise buying. I have a passion in business and experiencing the actualities of newness and flow. What sets me apart in the fashion buying world is my experience in marketing. Not often do you come across someone who had previous experience in social media marketing and influencer marketing in the buying department. I connect the two as an intricate part to my goal. I understand what the customers want and empathize their reactions as a tool of what to do next. The relationship to the target demographic and the turn on product is something that becomes symbiotic in my work process. It’s what led me to work for some of the most successful brands that spearhead this industry.
Since I pursued modeling after being in the fashion and merchandising industry for quite some time, I was able to bring those experiences with me as well. When I go on a set, I always have the goal in mind. “What are we selling? What is the story? What am I being brought here to portray?” Spending quite some time behind the lens, I know how important my role is as a model. Sometimes I inquire what type of shot are we looking for, what lens are we using. I have educated myself a little bit in photography just so I can understand what they might be seeing behind the camera. I also know how costly putting together shoots can be and understand the investment a brand could be making. At the end of the day, I’m being asked to sell or portray some type of narrative and I will do my best to bring that.
No matter what environment I get brought into, I always strive to do my best with the goals in mind. I take every experience along the way with me as added strength and confidence.

One of the biggest obstacles I’ve had to endure was definitely working through toxic environments. When you get hired for a job, you immediately want to show your skill set to accomplish the goals that were initially set for you. As time goes by, and you get well acclimated into the culture, you will realize to see if this is something that can build you or break you. In this case, I was in positions where I was indeed broken down mentally and emotionally. All of which were behaviors that were displayed by my management at the time that triggered moments of panic and fight or flight situations. All those stereotypes of a cut throat brutal fashion industry that I didn’t believe in somehow would come true right before me. Unfortunately, yes, I was brought into rooms where my superiors would yell at me and other colleagues until we would cry. I was put into a situation where a manager was trying to frame me of doing something completely against policy, despite presenting all evidence that had proven otherwise. Yet, I would still receive blame or be looked at as if I did something wrong. I once encountered a VP that would refer to people in other departments as “ding dongs,” “retards,” or “not the brightest crayon in the box,” as if these people aren’t competent or qualified.
It’s moments like that I found that this is an environment where it’s not made to build me, it’s made to break me. Although I will admit, it’s taken some time to realize my own worth. I no longer will tolerate that type of behavior nor do I ever want to be in an environment that facilitates it. I do speak up for myself and will call out any behavior I don’t find acceptable. I don’t hesitate to build those up around me. I have no issue laying a helping hand to make a brand successful. I find myself uplifting my peers in my working environments, and I work really hard for that to become my a part of my working reputation. I know the importance in a sense of community and how to properly manage departments. I like to implement training sessions and educational conversations. I will do everything I can to build the ideal working environment to lead us all to success.

As a model, there’s nothing more fulfilling than taking in the collaborative knowledge of those around me. There’s definitely a joy within me that I get from gaining feedback from a photographer or watching another model pose or receiving tips and tricks from the makeup artist. Everyone on set has an immense talent that they contribute to the result. I appreciate all the talent on set. For me especially being new to modeling I try to absorb as much knowledge from those around me. I don’t hesitate to share my own creative thoughts to the project as well. I’m always so grateful to any shoot project I get booked for since I just enjoy being around so many creative minds.