Daily Inspiration: Meet Laisia Lashall

Today we’d like to introduce you to Laisia Lashall.

Hi Laisia, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
When I was younger I was always interested in the world of fashion, but I never thought I would be a model. Originally, I wanted to be a designer, and my mother made sure to fuel my passion for creation. From my sewing machine, to my diverse collection of fashion magazines, and an even more diverse collection of pieces in my closet, my mother never failed to provide anything she could think of to let me know that my dreams could come true. Fast forward and I’m remixing my old pieces and turning them into something new. Fast forward a bit further and I’m designing my prom dress for my senior year.

Jumping forward a few chapters, I’m in university studying Biomedical Sciences, I know, a full 180 from my creative and colorful past. I decided I wanted to be a medical doctor, and hit the books. Through my time in school, I realized that in order to keep focus on my ultimate goal, I needed an escape to balance out the formulas and lab reports of my day to day. I decided, what better way than to feed the creative monster I had tucked away. I did everything from painting and sketching, to dance, to amateur photography (emphasis on amateur), but the best thing that came out of my personal renaissance was the rebirth of my love for fashion and expression through fashion.

I started back up with styling. I feel as though it comes natural to me. As a stylist I enjoy the versatility of the energies you can emit from your wardrobe. I personally wouldn’t say I fit into any one category, solely because I can give Olivia Pope one day and Lady Gaga the next. I also love mixing and matching stylistic elements from multiple different “categories” of style. I feel that style is a spectrum and anything can work if you work it.

My style game in a way gave birth to Laisia Lashall. As I grew as a stylist, people began noticing my craft, and the amount of people in my circle pushing me to do something with it grew as well. I had strangers and friends alike pushing me to share my art, to model, to create. At first, I absolutely lacked the confidence to share myself with the world, but one day, one of my sisters connected me with a friend of hers and it changed the trajectory of what I thought was just a hobby.

I began modeling just about a year ago and it was one of the best and scariest decisions I’ve ever made. I went from being told I should model, to flying all the way to Florida to get signed by my first agency. My mother was of course there for the journey, she is my biggest fan after all. From there I began shooting more often and getting more comfortable within myself. I feel that modeling has absolutely unlocked a level of confidence and courage in me. Playing into that confidence and courage, I attended my first Fashion Week in New York City, and it was a movie. That experience lit a fire under me to continue to push myself, if I could make it to New York, I could make it anywhere!

After New York, I continued to shoot, worked on projects with Prada Beauty and American Eagle, as well as walked in smaller shows across the valley. I also found myself modeling TheModernAlien x EvoluShein sustainable collaboration on CW7 AZ (AZTV7).

I’ve been finding myself as a model and am very proud of the work that I have done and continue to do to achieve my goals. I am excited for the coming month as I found my place as a model for Arizona Fashion Week as well, and will be walking in this year’s November shows.

Through this process, I never lost my passion for medicine. I currently work in dermatology and am still furthering my education. I am currently finishing my degree in Biomedical Sciences with minors in Global Health and French, as well as studying for the MCAT.

I am eternally grateful for this journey I am on. I am a woman of faith and firm believer in everything falling into place the way it is supposed to. I am excited to see where my journey continues, but for now I can feel that I am exactly where I should be.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Honestly, no journey is complete without detours and roadblocks. I feel that one of my main obstacles in this has been myself. Confidence is key in modeling and I feel that, as an over thinker, I tend to put pressure on myself in areas that are unnecessary. It feels like imposter syndrome sometimes, like this life was meant for someone else, not little ol’ me. In times like these I try to remind myself of those who have pushed me to be my best, and how far I have come in my adventure. The walk back is oftentimes longer than the journey ahead, so I try to keep up the pace.

Another challenge I face as a woman of color, is confidence specifically in areas where I am not of the majority. I can’t help but wonder if I’ll be what the designer is looking for, or if my hair will be as it should, or if I’ll be trouble for the artist in charge of my look. I know these things are out of my control, but sometimes it still puts a blanket on my fire. Because it’s out of my control, I put my energy into what I have the power to impact instead. Life is to short to stay stuck on what you can’t help. Peace is more important always!

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a model and stylist. When it comes to modeling, I specialize in print, commercial, and runway. I like to do projects that stay true to me as an individual, versatile. I like to refer to myself as a shapeshifter. I transform each time I change my look and I love each identity.

I feel that my ADHD manifests heavily in my art in that it refuses to stay in one realm. This can also be seen in the wide range of the looks I’ve styled. I love to match pieces that people wouldn’t think to pair. I feel that it adds to the uniqueness of my creations.

In my craft I am proud of the growth I’ve experienced in just a short time. It hasn’t even been a full year and I’m already 10 steps ahead of where I thought I’d be. I love that I am able to continue to find new ways to reinvent myself every day as I grow into who I am supposed to be.

What makes you happy?
Honestly, this is a difficult question. I’m very blessed and I feel that through every blessing I find more and more joy. The simplest answer I can think of is living life. Every experience I have contributes to my happiness; whether it be listening to a new album for the first time or taking a bite out of a piece of pizza. The list could go on forever because life has so much to enjoy, but overall the people I have the pleasure of surrounding myself with make everything.

Pricing:

• Booking rates depend on…
• Project / Media category
• Duration of services
• Quantity of posts
• Other factors that can be discussed further

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.instagram.com/laisia.lashall/
• Instagram: @laisia.lashall
• Youtube: https://youtu.be/QDTgAbQ9B5c?si=Q39Rkf-sj7IZVDfk

Image Credits
Margaret Dotson Milton young Matt Conrads Mark Gunter Latasha Evans Marquis Campbell Jonathon Wooden