Nicole S.
Nicole S.
California, USA
Tell us about yourself.
I am a 21-year-old from California studying Modern Culture and Media at Brown University. I’m the co-founder of a non-profit ARMS: Art to Reduce Mental Health Stigma and am passionate about fighting the stigma associated with mental health struggles. I believe the arts are an accessible way for the stigma to be combatted. In my free time I can be found listening to music, reading, or planning my next trip!
What is your biggest dream?
To inspire others to follow their passions! As cheesy as it sounds, I have learned that even when it seems like there are no options left to pursue a passion, if you keep working hard at it from different angles, eventually you will achieve your goals.
What does it mean to be your own kind of beautiful?
To be your own kind of beautiful means you do not have to subscribe to society’s beauty standards. How boring would it be if we all looked exactly the same! True beauty is in the way we treat and inspire each other.
Tell us about your modeling experience.
I have taken photos with my sister the past two years and started to actually pursue modeling while I was abroad in Cape Town the first half of 2019. While there, I was part of an athletic shoot, and since then I have wanted to get more into modeling. I have worked with some companies doing Instagram promotions but would love to get more involved in commercial/print and runway!
What is your dream brand to model for?
My dream brand to model would be Nike, or any similar athletic company (Adidas, Puma, etc) because I love fitness shoots! I would also love to do swimwear.
How would you describe your fashion style?
My fashion style is definitely very comfy. I love wearing t-shirt dresses and docs or my adidas leggings with a crop top. However I am also pretty crafty and I love to “edit” some of my own clothes so you can sometimes find me in clothes that I have painted on or stitched together myself!
How important is self-awareness and confidence to you in your everyday life?
Self-awareness is something that I think about a lot especially with respect to how I convey myself and interact with others. I always try to be extremely aware of the spaces I am in and what is considered respectful and acceptable. Confidence is something that is always a work in progress for me but one thing I am always confident in is my ability to be my best version of myself.
What makes you beautiful?
My ability to listen and understand the people around me and to stick up for those who may not be able to stick up for themselves. These are values that I find important to others and I try to instill upon myself.
What would you say to another girl/guy your age who is struggling with their confidence?
No matter what you look like, at the end of the day what’s important is the way you treat the people around you. As long as act with kindness and compassion you should be proud of who you are!
