I live in Phoenix, Arizona, USA, and have all my life. I feel a strong connection to where I live: the busy city, the desert landscapes, the tall saguaro cacti. When I was very little, because I was so tall, all my family told me that I should be a model. I even had my pictures taken by my uncle in his photography studio and had my picture all across the country as a young girl. But I didn’t start trying to actually a model until a couple of years ago.
Since then, I’ve gotten to work with some amazing photographers, walk-in local runway fashion shows, and promote various events. I’ve even been fortunate enough to be taken to Las Vegas and Hawaii and get paid for it. A big part of my modeling career has been pushed by social media and people online. Around 6 years ago, I started blogging, which is also around the time I started going to events for electronic music (just for fun). My passion for EDM grew, and with it, the fan base of my blog. This year, when I started moving to other social media such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter & ModelMayhem. (My Online portfolio). I already had the skills to build a large social media following and a small, but dedicated fan base. It is because of these wonderful people that I have achieved what success I have as a model, and the future is only looking bigger and brighter. My Instagram currently has 11k following, and just yesterday I reached my first 1k on Facebook. This is a very exciting time for me, and I am so thankful for everything that has happened and is happening.
What does fashion actually mean to you? What inspires your passion and what excites & motivates you about modeling? For me, fashion and modeling are about art. The best part about taking a photoshoot is being a part of creating the art in the finished product. It’s no longer about you, or even about the photographer, it’s about the image that can be created based on what you both put into it. I’m very passionate about photography, so understanding what is going on with lighting, and depth of field and aperture are all very exciting to me.
What do you think, Is it important to attended fashion modeling courses? Do they really help newbies to get a foothold in the Fashion Industry? I think there may be a few small pieces of information that could be helpful, but I don’t think any amount of classes can help you become successful. For the most part, it’s stupid to pay for information you can find out yourself. Research online, find your strengths, and practice. That’s the magic mix, not some class.
How you communicate with other netizens, especially your subscribers? Are you patient? polite? friendly? How often you reply to them? I try to be as nice as possible when communicating with my fans and other people online. If I become successful, I want to use that success to help people. How I respond depends on what platform I’m on – on my blog, I will leave a page of advice for people who ask. On my ask.fm, I answer almost every question I get. But it’s hard to respond to every message that I get on FB (Dani Galaxy) and twitter (@MissDaniGalaxy). When I do answer, I try to be polite, patient, and informative to make up for it!
Has modeling changed other aspects of your life? What does your career do for you? It has opened up so many doors! I get to focus on modeling and get amazing photos. I’ve met so many amazing lifelong friends, and different career opportunities that wouldn’t have been possible otherwise. It’s also helped me to be able to go to more music events, which is such a bonus and an important part of my life.
What are some things you dislike or want to change about the fashion industry? The “too-thin” standard that I think is hurting young women. Did you know that Cindy Crawford could not model in today’s industry? Many opportunities are not open to me because I am not quite thin enough. While I have taken steps to have a successful career despite this (becoming more “personality” than “runway”), many girls who aspire to be models do not realize that this is an option.
How you prepare yourself for a modeling shoot? I spend time talking to the photographer and making sure we’re on the same page, and that I know exactly what they want. And I make sure to have my outfit ready the night before and get a good night’s sleep. I will try to eat healthier, nothing too bloating or that will make me sick. The day of, I try to pamper myself a little: taking a long shower, taking my time getting ready, making sure everything is done right, but also that I am enjoying it. Modeling should be fun, after all. If I don’t have time, I’ll do my makeup in a hurry, but I try to leave myself enough time so as to not be stressed. And I always drink coffee beforehand. I just think it helps me look more awake!
What are your favorite types of outfits to model in? What are your least favorites? I love fashion looks that are dramatic. If it’s dull, it can have mass appeal, but it doesn’t say anything. Big outfits, shocking outfits, unusual materials… I think this is the drama that turns fashion into art, instead of just clothing.
What kind of shoots would you like to work on in the future? I have a lot of ideas with a creative twist, and I certainly want to start working with more designers. I definitely want to get creative, try new concepts, and push myself further than I have before.
What do you like to do for fun & entertainment? I love going to music events, making outfits for those music events, or talking to fans online. I love electronic music and its culture. It’s a big part of my life.
Do you eat nutritiously? Tell us about the diet you follow on a regular basis? Is there any food which you avoid eating? I am a vegetarian, a fact to which I attribute most of my health and physique. If I want to be healthier, I eat more vegetables and everything else in moderation. I try to keep it simple.
How often do you exercise or go to the gym? How much time do you spend there? I exercise fairly regularly, but for the most part, I rock climb. I love it as a workout, and I love that it is also just a fun activity.
Excluding all complicated beauty & fitness mantra, what do you think to be the easiest way to look pretty and glamorous? A smile, and good lighting. Smiling lifts and brightens your face, and reaches people in a way that a frown never can. And the number one key to a good photo is good lighting. The more you illuminate yourself, the better you can be seen!
What are your experiences in the fashion industry? What is fun and rewarding about modeling? Do you have any advice for other aspiring models? I often give advice to aspiring models! If anyone is interested, message me on one of my social media accounts. I love to take new models under my wing and help them succeed. General advice? Practice, practice, practice.
Which fashion magazines like reading? What fashion website & weblogs you like browsing? Oh, I love looking through every fashion blog and magazine I can get my hands on. I like going to bookstores and looking at magazines that aren’t as common here, such as American Vogue vs the French, Italian, UK, or Japan editions. I like finding small, undiscovered blogs, or local blogs from faraway places. I think challenging your norms is healthy, and promotes creativity.
Tell me about your favorites. My favorite festival that I have been to is the Electric Daisy Festival. It is centered around electronic music, but almost everyone dresses up, and almost everyone makes their own outfits. The styles are so intricate and unique, and it’s such a fun experience all around.
How you access the Internet? What device do you use: Is it a tablet, smartphone, or laptop? What according to you is a more comfortable, quick, and easy device for accessing the Internet? I use my laptop at home, because it’s easier to do many things at once, and I can access my save photos easily if I need to. I also have a smartphone with me at almost all times, which I used to go on Instagram and Twitter.
Your ultimate message for netizens? Be yourself. The number one thing that I have learned through modeling is that everybody is beautiful and that what is unique about you is what makes you beautiful. And the number one thing that I have learned through fashion is the same – be creative, be yourself, that is what matters most and make the best impact.