Meet Amandalee Faustini

Today we’d like to introduce you to Amandalee Faustini.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Amandalee. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
January of this year. I saw a post on facebook from FABRiC about Model Monday. I decided why not. I went down there and not expecting anything except learn something. Without any expectations.

Randi and Shane Baker were running the session. They explain including the proper way to walk. What you need to better prepare for a fashion show. With nothing to lose. I strut my best and I felt this energy inside. My outpouring of creativity overcame me. And I remember what I saw from previous fashion shows I attended as a spectator, even on YouTube fashion channel.

What Randi saw in me, simply excited her and believe I have this quality, my personality and there is part of me where I am dedicated to living a healthy life.

After Model Monday, I got a little busy this year. I was at the Dillard’s Spring Show and walked at a night club Dwntwn for Red Blush. Along the way met a jewelry designer Jetzy and she is the best what she does. I am totally excited with the perspective of further working with her at some point in the near future. And then I walked at the reFABRiCate Fashion Show wearing this punk-ish outfit designed by Christy Fisher.

And I couldn’t imagine two years ago was my only experience walking in a fashion show was in April 2017 at Mesa Community College Fashion Show. After the show, there is one woman who remarked to me that you are good. In a few weeks afterward, I went to a model call for Brave Wings Fashion Show. I didn’t get it because I wasn’t prepared well enough. If there was Model Mondays back then perhaps I might have gotten it.

What I got a slight push into modeling was those kids from One N’ Ten LGBTQ where I used to help out as a volunteer wanted to see me as a model because of my stature. As a transwoman, I could never thought I could be a model. However, I have more abilities as a creative woman who is self-taught as a graphic designer and who has an interest as a fashion designer.

I couldn’t imagine I would be in this position in life. In the past, when I was on a trip in Costa Rica in Jaco. My mom and I stayed with my uncle at a small house near by the beach. I watched this network Fashion TV and just imagine I was those women walking down the runway. I felt like I was in those model walking down and just dream about it. Just to have that experience in life. I couldn’t imagine until know but it just enjoyable and being on the runway, or in front of the camera seems so natural to me.

From a woman who used to weigh 243 lbs, eight years ago, just laughing myself at a thought as a model who is 6 ft and weight less than 160 lbs. While I gain more experience, my area is being in the form of a fashion photographer or photographic artist not just as walking. It is important to have more dimension in life than just walking.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I overcame a lot of hardship and darkness in life. My life was never a smooth road and too many difficulties. Fashion designer and an artist. I heard in the past, there wasn’t much of a career in it. People in the past who knew always came to believe I would never amount to anything. They didn’t even expect I could go to a major four-year college like ASU but I went and graduated twice.

I studied Geography and even earn my master. Yet, I couldn’t find anything in that field. I simply didn’t have enough experience to even get noticed. Also, I was very depress and for the past 20 years was the saddest part of my life. To a point where I thought it was a waste and there was no point in living. I wouldn’t be here if I decided there was nothing to lose because I had nothing.

No friends, I felt so alone and worst I was in a body just hated, felt so disgusting and was time to end it for good. Then six years ago, there was a visit by a highly likely woman who came to me. She was worried because I was in tears and she wanted to cheer me up. An advice she gave me was, “Did you know there was another way?” At that time, I didn’t know what it meant. And I never saw that woman with long hair and that beautiful calm voice but it took me a while to figure it out.

Why not just embrace yourself without a care in the world. This is where I found the truth about my self. I decided to love myself, take good care, just be a woman, which I always be, and just rediscover the talents I have. From that point on, I just have that desire to help others and make a positive difference in the lives of the LGBTQ and the disabled community.

We’d love to hear more about what you do.
Being your own boss without the stress. Working alone is kind of cool and simply have that ability to be free to create whatever that people love to have. I am a self-taught graphic designer specialized in using CO2 laser like Epilog to do engraving and cutting on leather, wood, and glass. But just wish I can use metal surface but in time I will have the mean to do so.

Being in part of the Brony Fandom, fans of My Little Pony, seriously, there is a market for selling fashion, glass and other materials of their favorite characters from that show in different artistic styles. Any pop culture fandom, there is a market for wonderful and creative fashion, wearable goods where they have serious money to spend. If it is one of a kind, beautiful work of design, including clothing, they will spend a lot.

Just very fortunate that my family is involved and I am helping them in any way to create a brand that will make us creatively unique and standout. Importantly, I simply don’t care what others may think of me and what I enjoy in life. If it brings happiness and helps to create a unique brand, it’s worth it.

Is there anyone in particular you would like to recognize? Mentors, etc?
Randi England is a true friend, advocate in my life. She was the only one who believe I can be in this wonderful position in life. It’s simply a dream but a reality I couldn’t have without her. I was totally surprised I am here being recognized as a gem. A bright spot in the local fashion community.

The women from Jetzy Jewelry, I felt bad if I don’t know her name, but having that opportunity to wear the brand is a highlight in my career. And that family who run Lit People Studio Model Agency, they have helped me to have a better understanding who gave me the opportunity to further develop the ability to perform and achieve the feeling being comfortable out there at the crowds.

Lastly, Sire Leo Lamar-Becker, I met him at the Scottsdale Fashion Week in 2017. One time, I was working backstage helping to remove jewelry and metallic work of art created by Laurel Dewitt after the show. He is just a great person to be around with and simply a cheerleader in my creative growth.

I still feel bad that I didn’t get there name from Jetzy and Lil People. But along the way, these people who dedicated their life in this industry. We help each other out to bring out the best and further develop our creativity.

Contact Info:

• Phone: 480-431-4843
• Email: comet.the.creative@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a.lee.fa/

Image Credit:
Scott Hall Fotos — www.creativevisualimages.com
FABRICTempe
a.lee.fa — https://www.instagram.com/a.lee.fa/

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