Meet Nikitha Lokareddy

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nikitha Lokareddy.

Nikitha, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
If I was to sum up my place in the Phoenix Fashion Industry, I wouldn’t consider myself to be anything close to a “big deal.” I am just a young woman with a side hustle- who dreams it can one day be her life. I started out modeling back in 2007 when I was just 11 years old. Something about being in front of the camera made me feel like such a powerful little girl! I don’t know if it was the glamour or the art that attracted me, but something about it just felt right. As I got older, this passion started to evolve but in a different area. It was surprisingly behind the scenes!

That is why when it came to choosing my major at Arizona State University, Go Devils!, it was a no brainer. Before I knew it, I was a marketing major with big dreams but even bigger ambition, and that’s why I joined Business of Fashion, a club under the W. P. Carey School of Business. From there I had so many great opportunities! I became an assistant stylist for Cris Pearlstein, worked with countless brands and met the organizers of Phoenix Fashion Week. But these connections did not come without hard work, brilliant Facebook groups, and a will to succeed.

Now I am working at Markitors, a digital marketing agency in Old Town Scottsdale, but I still very much keep my side hustle alive! I find myself booking more fashion shows and shoots with incredible photographers now than ever. I guess I want people who read my story to understand that no matter where you are, opportunities come to those who are brave enough to chase them. So go to that casting call or take the first step to launch your business, because you never know what can happen! In a community this supportive and welcoming, Phoenix is a great place to get started.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Before I answer this, I think it is important to note that I truly believe nothing in life worth having comes easily. With that being said, there is a reason I call it a side hustle. It takes work! Balancing casting calls, modeling jobs, my actual 9-5 job, and grinding to get into graduate school is a lot to put on anyone’s plate. To top everything off, I am terrible at saying one simple word: no.

I always think back to a few years ago when I would have done anything to be offered a spot in any show or shoot, and that is why I try to do everything! It may seem like a silly problem… having “too” many opportunities, but I think it is important that people be picky about jobs. I say this because when I was 18, I started getting offered jobs that asked me to pose in either lingerie or swimwear. Although I know there are lots of tasteful ways to approach these shoots, I knew it was a line I didn’t want to cross.

Yes, I wanted to be apart of high fashion jobs and artistic projects. But on the other hand, I just had to trust my gut and do the hardest thing- say no. I think it is important for young models to know that it is okay to say no to projects you’re not comfortable in. Or even better, talk to the creative and see if they can alter the shoot in any way! It takes an ounce of bravery, but it is so important.

No single job will make or break you! In hindsight, I am proud of the decisions I have made. Sure they may have closed a few fruitful doors, but I am happy with the creatives, photographers, makeup artists, and other individuals I work with. They make me feel confident and powerful just like I first did in front of a camera when I was 11.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Independent Model story. Tell us more about the business.
I am a lover of the art, and I do absolutely anything to get involved! Whether it be as a model, stylist, content creator, digital marketer, I like I think I do it all- and do it well. I think that is really what sets me apart. I like to describe myself as a T shaped person.

Although I mostly work as a model and the “root” of my T if you will is grounded there, I have a range of other skills I can offer people. You can visualize this as the “bar” above the T. So because I am a model who works in marketing, I understand the business side of things and the creative side of things. That is what makes me a good partner for all the individuals I work within the fashion community, in my opinion!

One major thing that also sets me apart is my love for my South Asian community. As a young Indian woman, I love to engage with other designers, models, makeup artists, and photographer who want to celebrate our culture through art. These are always projects that are close to my heart and that I would drop the world to be a part of.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
For me, the idea of success can actually be paralyzing. I think in today’s Instagram society, so many people are concerned with living a luxurious lifestyle that money becomes the definition of success. Although I try to avoid this trap as much as possible, this idea can stress me out.

That’s why when I think of success I refer back to my 11-year-old self. The feeling of being confident, powerful, and in control is what I thought success was back then. It is also the way I truly still view it. I think that the more people focus on the intangible aspects of success, the happier they will be.

Contact Info:

• Email: nlokared@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/niki_lokareddy/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nikitha.lokareddy
• Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikitha-lokareddy-834387128/

Image Credit:
Sebastien Verstraet, Jalia Pettis, Nazila Couture, Ocean, Mazhar Badani, June Hucko

Getting in touch: VoyagePhoenix is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.