JULY 2016
TEEN MODEL OF THE MONTH
MELANIE
My name is Melanie, I just turned 17 and live in a small suburb in New Jersey. I started modeling about a year ago and it's become an absolute dream! --
Growing up I was always quite shy. My brother was the "social butterfly" of the family, while I was pretty quiet and introverted. I didn't have a huge group of friends while in school, and went through a season of getting bullied for a while. Something that always sort of got me out of my shell was dancing. I did dance from the age of 3 up until I was 13 and even competed for a little while. Right around the time I entered my teens and stopped dancing I started getting more and more self-conscious. Though having amazing parents who always reminded me how much they loved me, how beautiful I was or how much purpose I had, I was allowing the voice of insecurity define how I saw myself.
When I was 14 my friend invited me to her church for a sisterhood night. Me, having been raised going to church my whole life didn't see why I wouldn't have normally gone, but I had never been to this church and yet for some reason felt I NEEDED to be there that night, and I really did. From the moment I walked in my life changed forever. It wasn't the cool venue or pretty lights - it was the presence of God. I was reminded of who I was and belonged to, whose image I was created in, that my life had purpose and meaning and that I was loved unconditionally. I rededicated my life to my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ that night and I can't even begin to tell you how much weight I felt being lifted off my shoulders or much joy I began to have.
It took me a while, but little by little I was growing stronger and more confident. It wasn't until I had someone come up to me at church and say that I should consider modeling. I always did have a dream of becoming a model so I figured why not give it a shot. I did one photoshoot and started reaching out to different agencies and photographers and a little while later I was offered the opportunity to walk in a show for Sylvio NYC. It was an amazing show that I'm thankful I was able to be apart of and through there I met so many amazing people.
February 2016 I walked in NYFW for an amazing designer, Lainy Gold.
This journey is just getting started. It's been a little rough and I've definitely had to work at it but it's had the best rewards! I feel so blessed to be living the life I'm living, being surrounded by the best and most encouraging people and getting to do something I absolutely love.
The best is yet to come. XX
Growing up I was always quite shy. My brother was the "social butterfly" of the family, while I was pretty quiet and introverted. I didn't have a huge group of friends while in school, and went through a season of getting bullied for a while. Something that always sort of got me out of my shell was dancing. I did dance from the age of 3 up until I was 13 and even competed for a little while. Right around the time I entered my teens and stopped dancing I started getting more and more self-conscious. Though having amazing parents who always reminded me how much they loved me, how beautiful I was or how much purpose I had, I was allowing the voice of insecurity define how I saw myself.
When I was 14 my friend invited me to her church for a sisterhood night. Me, having been raised going to church my whole life didn't see why I wouldn't have normally gone, but I had never been to this church and yet for some reason felt I NEEDED to be there that night, and I really did. From the moment I walked in my life changed forever. It wasn't the cool venue or pretty lights - it was the presence of God. I was reminded of who I was and belonged to, whose image I was created in, that my life had purpose and meaning and that I was loved unconditionally. I rededicated my life to my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ that night and I can't even begin to tell you how much weight I felt being lifted off my shoulders or much joy I began to have.
It took me a while, but little by little I was growing stronger and more confident. It wasn't until I had someone come up to me at church and say that I should consider modeling. I always did have a dream of becoming a model so I figured why not give it a shot. I did one photoshoot and started reaching out to different agencies and photographers and a little while later I was offered the opportunity to walk in a show for Sylvio NYC. It was an amazing show that I'm thankful I was able to be apart of and through there I met so many amazing people.
February 2016 I walked in NYFW for an amazing designer, Lainy Gold.
This journey is just getting started. It's been a little rough and I've definitely had to work at it but it's had the best rewards! I feel so blessed to be living the life I'm living, being surrounded by the best and most encouraging people and getting to do something I absolutely love.
The best is yet to come. XX
DESIGNER: LAINY GOLD DESIGNS
