- March 06, 2015
Model: Victoria Chang
Agency: SLU Model Management, West Coast
Photography: Andrea Castanon
I go to school for HCI (human computer interaction), design items at home (bags, clothing, and skincare products), and work as a coder! I can express myself a lot when I’m writing code, it’s certainly not the same as being on set, working as a model.
When I was younger, I was only used to moving my body in choreographed or planned movements due to my martial arts training. My first time modeling was in high school for my friend’s project. She won a scholarship to FIT, so I went with her to Nicole Miller at Tyson Galleria to model her innovative puff sleeve, one shoulder, yellow design. There, I met Tu-Anh Nguyen and modeled for her collection. She introduced me to photographer Charles Martin and I started building a portfolio. I learned how to network and how to become a better model. Stepping in front of cameras, I learned to loosen up; I started testing out different poses and stepped out of the rather insecure, shy shell that I was in. I am still always growing as a model. My favorite photoshoots have been with photographers that I have time to talk to prior to the shoot. I see that we share a similar vision and I get excited. It’s always nice to make expressive thoughts tangible. Print work allows me to test my boundaries. Also, I like shoots that have donuts as a snack; Powdered donut holes, to be precise.
Runway shows are such a rush! Some of my favorites have been for Charbel Zoe, Seth Aaron Henderson and Luis Valenzuela. The designs were art pieces; each a stunning addition to the respective collections. I’m able to develop a personality on each runway, as each is different; as a model, I actively enter in to the fantasy being created – I am the face of it. You can only get better and better at portraying it. I’ve always worked, studied, and gone to school for myriad subjects, from math to literature to science. Academia is a different world and modeling lets me balance my life out. I get to express myself with my own interpretation of the character handed to me – whether it’s a powerful glammed up woman, a girl smiling with her friends, or calm yogi. There’s a certain novelty to stepping on set each time.
I signed with SLU Model Management just a few days ago. They are a fitness oriented agency, which isn’t something I’m used to, but have always wanted to try; It requires me to stay healthy by eating well and staying active. That’s the part that I love – the fact that it’s an obligation to stay strong… to have the image of strength. Although SLU is fitness/lifestyle, I am still going to be looking for fashion work, since I really enjoy it!