It is sometimes difficult to for people outside of the fashion world to understand that models are capable of being intelligent, professional, and empowering young women. Unfortunately, the nature of modeling makes it difficult to get that point across especially since our image is what sells and our voices seldom heard. I want to share the biographies and opinions of a few phenomenal young women that I am proud to be friends with. These young women much like Lady Le and myself, are successful, educated, and professional young women. They are also extremely talented and driven models and as you read through you’ll get to find out the substance that great models are made of. After going through them myself, I felt inspired and immensely proud to know these beautiful ladies (inside and out!)
Julianna Lewis
1. What is your career/degree/job outside of modeling?
I went to school in San Francisco to become a Certified Baking and Pastry Chef; I also went to college in St. Louis and took courses in Early Childhood development. When I moved to Houston I tried work in both fields, but found more gratification in working with children than anything else. I am currently as a House Manager for Mom's Best Friend Agency employed by a family that works for NASA.
2. What is your proudest moment or greatest accomplishment from your career?
Oh my, what a tough question! I raise children so I have a proud moment each and every time they attempt a new skill, every time they succeed in accomplishing something all by themselves, and ultimately when they can make good decisions for themselves. Those are the moments that make my job the most rewarding of all.
3. Would you ever choose modeling over your career or vice versa?
if I came to a point in modeling where it would be more beneficial financially to quit my other career and focus solely on modeling I would most definitely do it and leave the raising the kids to my fiancé. At the same time if it benefited me greatly to quit modeling and focus solely on an at home baking business or childcare career I would do that too. It’s all about making the best decision to create a harmonious successful balance between doing what you love and loving what you do!
4. What struggles do you face when trying to balance the two and how do you deal with it.
Unfortunately I do not work in the fashion or beauty industry so when I model it does not benefit my career. I cannot use modeling to propel my childcare career forward so I have to pick and choose the events and shoots that I participate in wisely and make sure that they will open doors for me further in the fashion world. Taking off time from work to model is something I strongly try to avoid. I also run into problems with some mothers who are insecure about having a model in their home taking on a mothering role, no matter how professional or highly recommended I may be.
5.What advice do you have for other young women pursuing modeling on top of another career?
Get your thick skin on and strap on your big boss shoes, always remember to talk the talk and more importantly walk the walk! You have to constantly market yourself and remain in the loop if you want to be successful. Introduce yourself to other models! It’s not ANTM, you CAN help each other. Prioritize your schedule and make time to fulfill your dreams, just because you cannot do something all the time does not mean you cannot do it at all, be bold!
6. What is your favorite quote?
"Getting ahead is difficult and requires avid faith in yourself. That is why some people with mediocre talent, but great inner drive, go much further than people with vastly superior talent"-Sophia Loren
Della Afidick
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1. What is your career/degree/job outside of modeling?
I am an early childhood college student who wants to be a kindergarten teacher.
2. What is your proudest moment or greatest accomplishment from your career?
I would have to say Houston Fashion Week because I walked for three different designers; it made me feel wanted and great. Also, I've always wanted to be featured in a magazine, so when I was first featured in a magazine I was thrilled because it was a couture magazine and I had a two-page fashion spread!
3. Would you ever choose modeling over your career or vice versa?
For now, I would choose to be a kindergarten teacher over modeling.
4. What struggles do you face when trying to balance the two and how do you deal with it.
I don't think there's really a struggle between the two because I've always known how to divide the two and use my time wisely.
5. What advice do you have for other young women pursuing modeling on top of another career?
Organize your time wisely, remember which is more important. And please, don't starve yourself, eat.
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6. What is your favorite quote?
"The world is full of people who will tell you you're not good enough, but it's also full of people who think you're amazing" –unknown
1. What is your career/degree/job outside of modeling?
Outside of modeling, I own my own business. I like the freedom it brings and the control I have over my work as well as my lifestyle. I am the owner of a cigar blog, "Smoking Hot Cigar Chick", where I critique cigars, create pairings, share tours of the factories and fields from Nicaragua and Honduras, and show insights of the cigar industry. I also design websites and assist with code work for clients. I suppose you could say there is a creative element in everything I do for work, which is something that is important for me. I enjoy the balance of business and art.
2. What is your proudest moment or greatest accomplishment from your career?
That's a difficult one for me to answer as there have been so many moments I am very grateful for. I suppose I look at it as one great thing leading into the next. It's a journey filled with great successes leading up to something even grander. There is always room to grow and discover something new. Some great accomplishments have been being on the cover of a magazine, working with truly incredible photographers and designers, having my articles published in my favorite cigar magazines, meeting all of my favorite cigar manufacturers and spending time really getting to know them (it is such an honor!), and honestly just seeing a client completely thrilled with the design of their site!
3. Would you ever choose modeling over your career or vice versa?
I wouldn't ever change a thing! I am blessed that my passions have become my career. My passions in life are gastronomy and image. Working as a model, cigar reviewer, and writer allow me to do what I love in life for a living. Balance is key, and for me one business feeds the other. It keeps me energized, focused, and excited for the next big thing. Travel is something I enjoy as well and it is an amazing experience when an advertiser handles all the arrangements in order for you to write about their business and share the experience with your audience.
4. What struggles do you face when trying to balance the two and how do you deal with it.
I am fortunate in that the two balance out together naturally. I am able to set my own schedule which allows me to avoid any complications. It does make me pretty booked, but I wouldn't change it for the world. I'm the kind of person who will create a new project if there is nothing to do, so a booked schedule is a beautiful thing. My fiancé and I work together at home and he provides a lot of assistance when it comes to keeping everything in order. He manages the advertising, travel schedules, client meetings, and event calendar which allows me to focus on what I need to. It is a beautiful balance!
5. What advice do you have for other young women pursuing modeling on top of another career?
You have to be strong. The modeling industry both requires and builds a lot of character. It is important to know who you are and stay true to your beliefs. The same is true in any line of business but is especially true when it comes to modeling. There is a lot of rejection, and you cannot take any of it too personally. We play different characters in front of the camera, but at the end of the day you don't want to change who you are to satisfy someone else. At that point you've lost control of your destiny. Decide what is important to you in life and pursue it. If you are like me- it's more than one business. I didn't start all of these at once- one business lead me to another. Once one was able to stand alone, I began working on creating another. Things happen when they need to, and everything happens for a reason. Learn your lessons as they happen and use them to make yourself stronger. As long as you are doing what you truly want in life, it is worth it.
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6. What is your favorite quote?
"A man dies too young if he leaves any wine in his cellar" -André Simon
Tiffany Jackson
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1. What is your career/degree/job outside of modeling?
I have my bachelor’s degree in Health Science from Tennessee State University and I am currently working at one of the best spas in Houston (An Albert LUIZ Salon and Spa) as a Guest Service Coordinator.
2. What is your proudest moment or greatest accomplishment from your career?
When I signed into Page Parkes (which is the biggest agency in Houston) as well as established myself as a professional, working, known model in Houston. I'm happy I've been getting many contacts from various photographers, designers, stylists and make-up artists around the country.
3. Would you ever choose modeling over your career or vice versa?
Yes! I love this industry and I'm trying to make it my career and pursue it full time. I’m actually relocating to New York in August to try to make that possible.
4. What struggles do you face when trying to balance the two and how do you deal with it.
Well, my job knows that I am a model and they are VERY lenient with me at work. So it's never a problem if I have modeling job I need attend
5. What advice do you have for other young women pursuing modeling on top of another career?
I would tell her to decide what she really wants to do and if she wants to model, to put her all in it. Because it is really hard to try to be the best in the industry and have a job. But it is possible! So if she can handle both, by all means!
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6. What is your favorite quote ?
"Beneath the makeup and behind the smile I am just a girl who wishes for the world"
- Marilyn Monroe
I want to personally thank each of them for their time and sharing great advice. Julianna, Della, Teresa, and Tiffany are great role models that lead by example. For any young lady that has dreams of being a professional AND a model, I hope that they read this and know that it’s possible. Not only is it possible but you also have the fulfillment of knowing that you can tailor your modeling career as it best fits YOU. I also want to emphasize that in this competitive world (not just fashion), it’s not enough to simply be beautiful to be successful. You have to have big dreams, and like Juliana said “Big boss shoes” to take charge, work hard, and fight for what you want most.
In short…. Fulfill the qualities of Beauty*Strength*Destiny!!!
Love,
Esmeralda
Miss Le Rich
