Photography by: Lesley Xiaohan Ma

Produced by: Her Studio New York

Directed by: Stephanie Rommelt

Interviewed by: Shayna Viola

What type of creative do you identify as?

Model, Influencer, Photographer, Wardrobe Stylist, Make-Up Artist, Creative Director, Marketing Specialist, Writer, Journalist, or Editor, Graphic Designer, Illustrator, Visual Branding

Tell us about you. What inspires you?

I work in both art & fashion and holistic health. I’m inspired by the human body and how we journey through the human experience. Working in the art and fashion industry allows me to express my own human experience. Working in holistic health allows me to help teach and enlighten those who lack the knowledge and education because to put it simply, we just don’t provide the kind of education that helps you be one with your mind body spirit, here in America.

How do you integrate holistic health, art and fashion into your life?

Part of my mind, body, and soul exists within fashion and art. Please, don’t get me wrong, in this western society I grew up surrounded by a lot of pessimistic views around holistic health and art. In turn, I sometimes struggle pursuing all that I am. When I notice this happening, I return to me, and I remind myself through art or fashion. I’ll put on a fabulous outfit that I’ve been dreaming of, or I’ll draw, often starting with eyes, and I’ll force myself to try to dance.

“A couple of ways you can include holistic practices into your life is by being mindful of your breathe, and just noticing it at times; ecstatic dance or movement, to allow your body to move as it needs to instead of as you want it to; practicing self forgiveness and reminding yourself that everything is a learning process and everything is contributing to your growth whether you choose to or not. You are radiant and powerful and do not forget that you can do anything.”

Is there a specific person that you are inspired by?

I don’t know if one specific person inspires me. I think I’m inspired by a lot of different aspects within everyone’s personality. Within everybody, there is that beauty and there is an energy that could be a safe space for someone, and that is what I’m inspired by.

Do you have any projects that you are working on now?

I recently started a collective called the Querencia Collective. Querencia is a term for the empowering feeling of safety, strength, love, and wisdom and power that you (ideally) derive from home. My collective will be just that, a space for creators to find the love and support in the industry.
We have a collective closet, and we’re doing marketing, production and creative development. I want to provide workshops and events. We will put together “families” for photoshoots. Everything is based in safety, love, energy and support.

“I’d be more than happy to do a session with anybody that wants one, I often start with bodywork and breathe work and then let my intuition take me from there, we always end with a dance though! P.S. I’m not super expensive, I like to be accessible to everyone:) “