Give us a quick background about you! I was born in Florida but raised in Oregon most of my life. I’m a model part time and do hair part time. When I’m alone, I love going for long drives and listening to my favorite songs on repeat or some days I just want to journal and read for a few hours. Both of my jobs require me to give a lot.
Who inspires you and why? I look and find inspiration everywhere, whether its people places or things. But more than anything, I find it within my family. They remind me to be unapologetically myself and remind me who I am and how I want to show up in this life.
As you know, we are incredibly impressed by your skillset as a model and your depth work. So, what about modeling evokes your creative side and what do you get from modeling? Modeling is honestly something I kind of fell into and then everything else started to fall into place. Some days, it’s just a job and those days are good. But the days that are great are when I get to work with really beautiful souls and not just some pretty faces. I get to really connect with people past the surface - those are the moments I live for. Even with social media, it can be used for nonsense or something real. I happily use it for both (lol) but when I post a photo and it grabs someone's attention, they’re more likely to read what I have to say and then maybe respond. I enjoy giving people something to connect to, to relate to. Modeling is a tool for me to connect with more people and for that, I am thankful.
What does your tattoo say and what does it mean to you? TEMET NOSCE... it means “know thyself” in Latin. I was a freshman or sophomore in high school when frank ocean tweeted it and I knew then - I would get it tattooed one day. It was my second one, I got it this last August. At a time where I felt like if I didn’t figure out who I was, I would be lost forever. Sounds dramatic, I know. But that’s just how I felt. I’ve always been seen as someone sure of myself and I couldn’t have felt further from that. But with a little time, love and support from family, friends and myself - I feel more like myself than ever. I know who I am.. with that, I know I am forever evolving.
What is your favorite weekend drink and why? I don’t really drink-drink (lol) but I love coffee and usually drink too many americanos during the week so I like to take it down a notch and drink a dirty chai on the weekends. Ooh, depending on where I go a honey cardamom latte is also a favorite.
Follow Natalia at @natalialeckey