Meet Randi England

Today we’d like to introduce you to Randi England.

Randi, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
In 2011, I graduated from GCC with an Associate’s in General Studies. From there, I was sure I wanted to attend the Art Institute of Phoenix for fashion. Nothing had interested me at GCC major wise.

I wanted my life and career to be fashion centered since GCC could not provide that. I toured The Art Institute of Phoenix and spoke with them regarding tuition. At that time it didn’t seem like a viable financial option, so my hopes of attending were quickly dashed. I then toured Paul Mitchell as being a hairdresser was another idea I kicked around. I decided this wasn’t for me either ultimately. My compromise was to attend ASU for a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations while also attending Phoenix College for a second Associate’s degree this time in fashion.

The pressure of being a double major at only 19 got to me, and I dropped out of both schools shortly after enrolling. At this point, I had pink and purple hair and a growing collection of tattoos and piercings (still do). I found myself in the construction industry. I ran an office for a roofing company for a few years, and after that I found myself working in a titanium factory not only in the office but also washing/sorting/weighing/packaging/shipping titanium. After a cut thumb and a year spent crying over my job daily, I quit.

I then worked at a company coordinating repairs on foreclosed homes all over the U.S. By this time nearly six years had elapsed. I decided I wanted to be done with construction. I wanted to go back to school. I then toured and spoke with The Art Institute of Phoenix again. I again felt I couldn’t make it work financially. I remember crying in my car this time feeling so lost and like my dream was just unattainable. I didn’t give up, however. I got an art grant, crunched numbers, and figured out how to make it work.

I enrolled and for the year or so I was there, I loved it. I loved my professors, Sometimes the expectations they had were maddening and frustrating, but by the end, you realized they wanted the absolute best from you so you could stay on top in such a competitive career field. They just wanted to see you succeed. The truly cared about you. I loved the small class sizes, you got one on one attention. Projects were worked on in class. I was this big fish in a little pond.

My classmates were amazing and smart and creative and I finally felt that I fit in. I was given so many opportunities by one of my professors, Helen Nosova, and the department chair, Katy Hansen. Without them, I never would have landed the Nike Shoot, or being a dresser for Scottsdale Fashion Week, or modeling for Dillard’s. I never would have found F.A.B.R.I.C., where I volunteer simply as a result of a field trip.

Doing these things got my name and face out there, and got me exposure. Those gigs turned in to other gigs, and now I am doing what I love daily. I have the career I always wanted.

Has it been a smooth road?
The road getting here has not been smooth at all. While I was halfway through my degree in Fashion Design at The Art Institute of Phoenix, they closed without warning. I had worked so hard to be able to attend. I was devastated. I was angry. All the time and money I had spent was wasted. The “family” I felt had I built there was split up. I was not going to have my professors guidance any longer. If I wanted to continue a degree in Fashion, it was ASU or move. Moving was out of the question.

I did not want to leave my family or Julia. Julia had just lost her mother, and I wanted to be here for her. My mother also has rheumatoid arthritis and leaving her was not a choice either. I decided to attend ASU’s new fashion program. After a few months of attending, I again decided ASU was not for me. After attending what felt like the perfect school for me, this felt off. I decided that after trying ASU twice, maybe it truly was not for me, and that is ok.

In honesty, my money and time at The Art Institute was never wasted. I may not have graduated or received a Bachelor’s degree there, but the connections, friends, knowledge, and experience I gained there is priceless. I would do it all again, and I mean it maybe just sooner so I could have graduated ;). For now, I have just been freelancing and keeping up with my commitments and doing events back to back as usual. ASU became harder anyways the busier and more booked I became.

This story isn’t over yet! We will see where life takes me now, but it will always be in fashion. Sometimes the biggest risks are the ones most worth taking. Jumping with your eyes closed is really scary, but if I hadn’t done it, I wouldn’t be here now. It has been the most rewarding decision ever. We miss all the shots we don’t take. I always somehow manage to land on my feet anyways.

We’d love to hear more about what you do.
I have been a model coordinator, backstage manager, and producer on many shows at F.A.B.R.I.C. which is a non-profit fashion incubator in Tempe. Some of those show include a showcase of some former Project Runway Designers, Cultivate; a show for the office scholarship winners at F.A.B.R.I.C., the annual LabelHorde show, The Art of Salsa show held there, the Senior Collection Show for The Art Institute of Phoenix (twice) and more. I also tear down and set up all the events held at F.A.B.R.I.C.

I have helped with model coordination for Hamati Designs at one of their shows swell as the Edify Fashion show that just passed. I have done wardrobe styling for a shoot Nike did in collaboration with some girl’s volleyball high school championship winners and also often style wardrobe for local photo shoots. I am also a model myself, having done a shoot that was featured in Gothesque magazine, walked in a fashion show at Arizona Latino Arts & Cultural Center, and will be walking in the upcoming Fashion Spectacle Show, just to name a few.

I have been a dresser for Scottsdale Fashion week two years in a row, and am now a stylist assistant for Braden Conwell. I am a member of Luxe & City, Arizona Costume Institute and am Secretary of the board for the Arizona chapter of Fashion Group International. I also have a clothing/accessory line with my best friend and fellow model Julia Flippen. It’s is edgy and heavily incorporates leather, studs, patches, pins, and denim.

It is called Rulia, and we feel it is best described as rock festival wear. Julia and I have also held a runway model workshop to help models work on perfecting their runway walks, posing, and teaching them how to put together a model kit. This was held in collaboration with photographer Shane Baker and his monthly Model Monday’s. We hosted this at F.A.B.R.I.C. for free to help new and up and coming models, and we are working on doing this again. I also hold one on one hourly runway model classes for $25/hr. I also act as a manager for Julia Flippen.

I maintain a calendar for her and enter any important casting call and show dates. The thing that I am most proud of is being able to help models. I go out of my way to make sure they have info on upcoming casting dates. I try to make sure I have everything they will need at shows, and I like to make sure they are always doing ok. It is important to foster a safe space for models at every event. I want them to know I am here to help them flourish and grow. I want them to always feel happy, safe, respected, and heard.

In this industry, it is important for all models to know that they are viewed as friends and not an object. It is important we all support and root for one another to do well. The cattiness does not and should not continue in this industry. We are all important and powerful. I want to foster that environment through these workshops and by sending opportunities to them.

Tell us about your childhood, what were you like growing up?
Growing up My life was a little rocky. My parents got divorced and re-married, and I split my time between households. No matter what house I was at though, my room was covered in fashion magazine pages and ads that I had torn out. One room was hot pink.

I was a really smart kid, I loved horses, I knew I was never meant to live an average life or do the things everyone else was doing. I was always different, which has turned out to be a blessing now. I was also very sassy and straight forward. That hasn’t gone away as an adult!

Pricing:

• Wardrobe Styling: $25/hr.
• One on one model runway coaching: $25/hr.
• Modeling: $40/hr.
• Event Coordinating/Backstage Managing: $25/hr.

Contact Info:

• Email: randi.england@ymail.com
• Instagram: Instagram.com/mozzerati
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/randi.england.9

Image Credit:
The Dillard’s Spring Runway Show at Paradise Valley Mall, Trent Brown, Julia Flippen, Project Runway Designer’s show at F.A.B.R.I.C., Jenny Kaufman, Project Runway Designer’s show at F.A.B.R.I.C.  Randi England, Arizona Latino Arts & Cultural Center, Alynn Parde, Salt Aire Visuals AZ

Models: from left to right: Danielle Alayne, Ang Sal, Jamaica Makayla Carter, Randi England, Bianca, Amanda Lee, Julia Flippen, Angela Johnson

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