Sophia Salinas Interview -

Interview

Sophia: Do what you love, be aware of your environment, and learn to realize when you need a break and take it.

WILUMINATY TV recently had the pleasure of interviewing Sophia Salinas, a talented and passionate model making waves in the fashion industry. Sophia shared insights into her career journey, aspirations, and personal experiences. Here’s what she had to say:

Q. Tell us an interesting thing about yourself:
- When I was little, I owned a real sword. I’d even take it with me sometimes and climb trees with it at home.

Q. How was the experience of your first shoot:
- My first shoot was a bit funny. I wore my dress backward and didn’t wear any makeup. I was about 13 at the time. Surprisingly, the photos turned out great, though I think I could’ve put more thought into it.

Q. Who do you consider to be the world's most successful model:
- Kendall Jenner, for sure. She’s incredibly successful, and her family’s support plays a huge role in that.

Q. Is there a brand or designer you aspire to model for:
- Definitely! Salinas Swimsuits, Pia Bolte, Coco Chanel, Prada, Christian Dior, Louis Vuitton, and Victoria’s Secret are at the top of my list.

Q. Do you model freelance or full-time:
- I’m currently a freelance model, but I’m working toward becoming a full-time model.

Q. What is the most famous brand you have modeled for:
- The most famous brand I’ve worked with is Macy’s, which has 2.4 million followers on Instagram. For designers, it would be Imperial Legacy, with 63.2K followers.

Q. How do you want to grow as a model:
- I want to grow as a model by becoming more recognizable, signing with a top agency, working with my favorite brands, being more of service to those in need, and starting to wear more couture on my days off.

Q. What is the toughest part of a model's job:
- Rejection during casting calls can be tough. It’s challenging, but you have to keep pushing through and believe in yourself.

Q. How far are you willing to travel to do a photoshoot:
- Depends on what options I have available to me at the time.

Q. What fashion styles and designs do you like:
- I like Victoria’s Secret runway designs. I like asymmetrical things and preppy styles, especially preppy mixed with a gothic girly aesthetic.

Q. Where do you see the fashion industry in five years:
- I see the fashion industry becoming more fabric-aware. I see local designers getting more recognition and other cities becoming more fashion-driven. In five years, I envision designer brands continuing to grow, establishing themselves in smaller towns, and more petite models working in the industry. I see plus-size models advocating for health and more gender inclusion in the industry, with more androgyny at events like the Met Gala.

Q. What are your professional and career goals:
- My goal is to make it as a model overseas and to achieve financial freedom.

Q. What is your greatest strength or weakness:

- My greatest strength is my abundance of faith in my ability to succeed and my commitment to pursuing my own demands. My weakness is that I sometimes have trouble asking for help. Although I’m very decisive, I tend to spend excessive amounts of time trying to figure things out independently before reaching out for assistance. However, I plan to improve this by training my communication skills and expanding my vocabulary and voice through literature.

Q. Why did you become a model:
- People often asked if I was a model, which got me curious. After attending my first runway show, I was captivated by how models brought out the beauty in every outfit. That inspired me to turn those feelings into my own talent.

Q. Have you worked as an art director during a shoot:
- Nope.

Q. What do you expect from a photographer:
- I expect a photographer to be easy-going, hyping, energetic, creative, passionate, and professional.

Q. How can a model follow the guidance of directors:

-By spending time with them and learning from them, as well as following their core instructions.

Q. What kinds of clothes and accessories are the easiest to model:
- Streetwear clothing, T-shirts, and sneakers.

Q. Do you prefer a live fashion show or on-site photoshoot:
- I prefer a live fashion show, but I am highly in favor of both.

Q. Is it important for models working together to be friends:
- Yes, although this is a competitive industry like any other, it’s one of the most loving. It’s important to have friends in this industry so you can ask them for advice, and vice versa. However, it’s not always necessary, and having friends doesn’t automatically mean you’re thriving in the industry.

Q. What would you say to models who are just starting their careers:
- I would tell models just starting their careers to get as much exposure as possible, aim to grow organically, and network as much as they can.

Q. Explain the biggest obstacle you have faced in your modeling career so far. How did you overcome it:
- Probably the biggest obstacle has been dealing with moving a lot from homes, instability that has shifted my focus from the things important pursuing in my life but I overcame it by taking advantage of meditation.

Q. Do you think training is necessary for modeling:
- I think modeling requires at least some training. Yes. Not so much to each model individually because that should come naturally to the model but in high performance productions the models should be trained to achieve the best results possible. I wouldn’t say it’s required like a surgeon needs a diploma, but it’s definitely a plus to have those skills developed in this industry; such as etiquette, professional communication and posing. This is importance when interacting with casting directors and designers. A model should be trained to the best of her capacity and should not peak.

Q. Describe the most challenging photoshoot you have been a part of:
- Working to shoot for my dad has been the hardest. He is a photographer but he really gets my triggers going sometimes.

Q. How do you incorporate feedback into your work:

I take into consideration others opinions and genuinely listen to their vision so I can put my energy on the
same side with them and get results through teamwork. I incorporate feedback by sharing the spotlight on
their suggestions when showcasing my work.

Q. Name the three most important traits of a model:

Fierceness, Gracefulness , Confidence.

Q. Have you ever quit a photoshoot or live show:
- No, I have never quit a photo shoot but I have quit a live show. It was during my second year of modeling
that I decided last minute to not participate in the resort runway show. I have never had to quit one since
then, I have shown up to every one of my modeling commitments since. As far as photo shoots, I only go in
to them if im sure it’s absolutely one that’s worth going to and my withdrawal point is more towards the
beginning when learning information about it, that way I don’t have problems in person.

Q. How do you usually get work and assignments:
- I am part of a group chat with other models where we exchange work opportunities.

Q. Is it important to network to succeed as a model:
- Networking is important in this industry .I have myself networked at events before and it’s good because
you never know what you can achieve with another creative person.

Q. How can models look after their mental health?
- Models can look after their mental health by doing breath work, meditation, and spending less time on
technology.

Q. What is your view of sustainable fashion?

Sustainable fashion I view as fashion that can be re made, re achieved in design, something that people can
wear again and again without it’s production damaging the environment or themselves.

Q. Name one designer who revolutionized the fashion industry and explain why.
- Coco Chanel revolutionized the fashion industry. She liberated women from the constraints of corseted silhouettes, introducing more comfortable and casual styles that emphasized simplicity and elegance. Chanel popularized the concept of "fashionable" casual wear, such as the little black dress and the use of jersey fabric. Her influence shaped modern women's fashion and continues to resonate today.

Q. What are your thoughts on plastic surgery?
- I think it’s good business for the surgeon, risk full for the body but good for the self esteem to a certain
extent. You have to love yourself but if there’s something you don’t like then go for it and change it but don’t
go to overboard and always make sure it’s done right.

Q. What homework and preparation do you undertake before a new assignment?
- Before a new assignment i tend to do really good skincare, eat cleaner and practice my walk as well as work
out and make sure I sleep early.

Q. What makes a model different from a supermodel?
- The level of fame and their revenue makes a supermodel vs a model. The amount kg experience and
wisdom in the field also make the two differ.

Q. What would you do if you disagreed with the photographer or director?
- If I disagreed with a photographer or director I would ask to see their view point and put my self in their
shoes. If I see that it’s something only advantageous to one side then I would not conform but if it aligns
with my values then I would let the directors take the wheel and trust their vision.

Q. Choose your favorite picture from your portfolio and explain your choice.
- My favorite picture from my portfolio is “🌎” because it was for a earth day fashion show campaign and it’s
special to me since my birthday is on earth day.

Q. How can models support each other in their career development?
- Models can support each other in their career development by showing up to the milestones in each of each others life. For example, their runway shows, pageants and by being each others reference on jobs. They
can support each other by keeping others name clean whenever asked about, and interchanging job
opportunities by supporting and sharing information.

Q. Are there specific clothes you want to model or avoid?
- I can make anything look good, however I would avoid revealing g strings from the back on runways without additional covering and mesh shirts without at least stickers for my breasts beneath it. I want to specifically start working more with corsets, knee high boots and leather mini skirts, maxi dresses, blazers and dress pants, coats, ruffle button up lacey dresses, velvet blazer and skirts, cropped blazers with padded
shoulderings, low rise baggy pants, high waisted full body suits or swim suits, floor length ball gowns and
mini tube tops or tube top belts.

Q. How long was the contract with your last agency?
- I was working with Laura’s Productions agency non contract so my last contract was with Lijuro Productions and was for one year.

Q. What is the best and worst aspect of the fashion world?
- The best aspect of the fashion world is in my opinion the fabrics used like in SHEIN or Nike which harm the
body. The best is the runway shows that create memories and elevate your life style experience.

Q. Is fashion art?
- Absolutely! Fashion is a form of art that allows people to express their uniqueness and creativity.

Q. What is your favorite fashion magazine and why?
- Vogue, without a doubt. The styling is incredible, and it feels like a portal into the professional world of fashion.

Q. What is couture?
- Couture is high fashion. Something is defined as couture if it is high fashion. Not typically worn or seen out at your Walmart shopping center. It is well credited and made with real emotion, striking an inspiration to embrace the viewers own uniqueness and awaken creativity to the viewer. It is something not in repetitive
production however tailored or made to each individuals request, having the buyer partake in the garments creating.