Trista T.
Trista T.
Alaska, USA
Tell us about yourself
I am originally from the Big Island of Hawaii where I was born in a small rural town called Kealakekua Bay. When I was 10 years old, I moved with my mother to Anchorage, AK where I currently reside.These are the only two states I have ever lived in! I am 28 years old and I am a part time ESL teacher for an online teaching academy. For 2 years I lived in Mallorca, Spain working for the Ministry of Education as an ESL teacher and returned in 2017. Five months of working in Alaska and I was back traveling through Europe. This is where I camped in the mountains, caves, and beaches of The Canary Islands. In total I have been to 10 countries as traveling is one of my favorite hobbies. I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and worked as a Psychiatric Counselor to teenage girls while I was in college. All of which were very rewarding experiences!
What is your biggest dream?
My biggest dream would be to have enough money to open a self sustaining animal sanctuary in a country such as Panama, Costa Rica, or Thailand. I mention these countries specifically due to the rampant population of strays Rescuing animals is the most rewarding experience for me, and I would love to help provide food and veterinary services to animals in need.
What does it mean to be your own kind of beautiful?
My interpretation of being your own kind of beautiful is to embrace your individuality no matter what it is that makes you unique. Beauty is a relative and fluid term that evolves with the changing world, and it is important to remember that in era dominated by social media. Ultimately being your own beauty , in my opinion, means being your true self and channeling that out in to the world as a form of inspiration for others. Being your own beautiful is empowering one another and building confidence without setting generalized standards for all. The best representation of beauty is displaying kindness, confidence, and humility.
Tell us about your modeling experience.
I began modeling when I was four years old in Hawaii. My mom took me to an open casting for Land's End catalog and I was chosen to be a part of the shoot. The pictures are so cute and I still have them to this day. For my teen years I dropped off of modeling to participate in sports and picked it back up when I was 21. In Anchorage the industry is rather limited, however I was able to get a lot of test shoots with some of the best local photographers. With that, I have been published in Vogue Italia and have walked several runways for designers throughout Alaska. Modeling is my passion and happens to be something I have a knack for. Naturally I have a really fun, outgoing personality and I think that helps bring a lot of variety and animation to the shoots. Currently I am working in the divisions of Beauty/ Glamour/ Skincare, Fitness, Commercial, Print, Editorial/Fashion, and Hair.
What is your dream brand to model for?
My dream designer or brand to model for would be Chanel, as it would for most girls. It would be an honor to also work for any of the well known fitness brands such as Nike and Adidas. I also have always wanted to be in one of those Neutrogena commercials for skincare.
How would you describe your fashion style?
My fashion style has a lot of variety. My casual wear is higher end athletic clothing like yoga pants and sweaters. The other majority of my time is spent in casual dresses and blouses with nice skirts. I get a lot of clothes through outlets of modeling and tend to wear what they give me. I also tend to thrift and find my designer labels at places like Salvation Army. Honestly, you'll often catch me in leggings and a sweater with a baseball hat.
How important is self-awareness and confidence to you in your everyday life?
Extremely important. Mindfulness is something I strive to practice on a regular basis in order to keep a balance and sense of stability in my life. The most beautiful part of a person is their ability to be confident and comfortable with themselves. These two traits are valuable and I find it essential to a successful, vital life.
What makes you beautiful/handsome?
My big heart, and willingness to see the good in people and accept them for who they are. I strive to uphold my integrity as well as my humility, and help those in my community as much as I am capable of. I care so much for others and their happiness, this planet, and all the wonderful creatures that inhabit it.
What would you say to another girl/guy your age who is struggling with their confidence?
If I have the opportunity to speak with someone struggling with their confidence, I would remind then they are not alone. That most humans struggle in the internal struggle of feeling confident, even if any person is capable of achieving their best self image. I would remind them to live life at their own speed, and not to compare themselves with others. I would help them highlight their strengths, and help them to build a plan in which they can bridge the gap between their real, and ideal selves.
