Psalm 119:10-12 "I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Praise be to you, Lord"
By Angelic Magazine Beauty is defined in the dictionary
as the quality of being physically attractive; the qualities in a person or a thing that give pleasure to the senses or the mind; a beautiful woman. We often place beauty in a bottle as something to be captured with our sight, but I believe God's definition of beauty to be a freeing grace that can only be felt within the depths of our heart. Cristina Irimiciuc, 28, is the cover model for this issue of Angelic Magazine and she is also featured on the cover of the current December issue of Arizona Foothills Magazine. Irimiciuc has been signed by Whilhelmina Models, which is one of the premiere modeling agencies in the world as well as being signed by the Ford Robert Black Agency in Arizona. She is featured on covers of magazines, has modeled abroad and by all imagination is living the dream that fashion models aspire to experience. But as of this month, in what may be viewed as the prime of her career, Irimiciuc is walking away from her life as a model. The commitment she gave to modeling since she was fifteen years old, Irimiciuc is now commiting her entire focus to her relationship with God. "Modeling is about what you look like but there's so much more that God created us to be that we can offer this world. I surrendered myself to the industry because it 6 ANGELICMAG.com
was my dream to actually be signed by these agencies and I was actually living my dream. But I've gotten to a point now where I've surrendered my life to Jesus and to His will for my life and modeling seems to be contradicting that," said Irimiciuc. The glitz and glam of the fashion industry is often a mirage to the reality of the personal sacrifice it can carry. Irimiciuc began to feel a conviction of her faith when living and modeling in Los Angeles enabled for high profile opportunities to model in Budweiser campaigns as well as photo-shoots that would involve kissing members of the opposite sex began to arise. Being faced with the reality of having to choose her morals over her career as a successful fashion model, Irimiciuc was faced with an inner-ultimatum. "I was a slave to the industry, the agencies, a slave to the world. I had my limits but was always torn, I would question myself if I was too conservative because of the way I was raised. I'd ask myself why am I not comfortable doing these things when everyone else is? When your dream is to be a model and be at the top, a lot of
models will do whatever it takes to be in that position." As the conviction to stand for her faith began to take a greater significance in her life, Irimiciuc approached her agencies and stated she wouldn't do any modeling jobs that would compromise her walk with God. Upon moving back to her homestate of Arizona, the manifestation of fully living for Jesus grew in her heart. Last month, in midNovember, Irimiciuc communicated to her agency she would no longer be modeling. "I got to a point where when I fully surrendered my life to Jesus and started really believing His word, I realized God was refining my character, preparing me for His plan and I just needed to trust Him. When you have God and Jesus as your focus, everything else falls into place. And if you're making Jesus your focus and you're not able to be a model because of that, I realized I needed to stop modeling." Irimiciuc is now finding and living her purpose as a woman of God seeking to make Christ known in the industry of fashion.
"I would like to do motivational speaking, speak to young girls, models who are modeling already and speak about values and faith. That's what I'm passionate about. I want to declare the word of Christ and it doesn't have to be so organized, God could place me anywhere and I want to represent Him." "We have our dreams and a lot of times we have to let go of our dreams and let God guide us with the direction he wants us to be in. I want opportunities where God places me to show His love to people. I want to represent Jesus in that way and have people leave knowing that Christ was shown. I want to not just talk about it but walk the walk. I want my desire to match my action and actually love people. Love people the way God loved me, that's how people will know we're His disciples, by our love for one another." Cristina Irimiciuc isn't beautiful because she is a model. Real beauty shines from within, it's everlasting and springs from that inner dwelling deep inside of us. Her legacy is still being written, and in that legacy a freeing grace of God will forever rest in her spirit. She is beautiful because she is actively seeking God's heart and that beauty will echo for eternity. Proverbs 31:30 "Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."
How does God influence you as an artist? As many times as I have rewritten this answer I feel as though it is not meant for me to write. It sounds funny, a little off but these words, to me, just don’t do justice. It’s this feeling, floating there on the breeze, it’s visible from within as I can feel my heart race. It’s a warmth of indefinite love entwined with the roots of this World. As I stand with my arms outstretched beside me, hearing the beat of the Earth through the wind I notice that it is also in rhythm with my heartbeat. Do you ever wonder with all the people and all those heartbeats, what it must sound like to God? When you put your head underwater and the silence envelops you, you close your eyes and you feel from within your heart beating to Mother Earth’s heart. God’s answers are always truth. This moment in time as I feel so lucky to be a part of God, trying with all my might to photograph truth I hear his love. It’s through the trees as the wind passes, sounding like massive waves. It’s in the raindrops, the Earth, it’s in myself… this World is not just our environment but inside every one of us. It’s life resides as the truth resides, knowing when you are true to yourself, you are also true with God. And this is what I always aim to capture.
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What does the meaning of your photo-shoot "Awakening Mother Earth" signify? It’s an awakening from within. These Women were photographed without any makeup, in the most natural setting, with the idea to capture their own stories to how they have found inner peace from their loss, their celebrations, their new lives in how they feel they have become closer to Mother Earth, to God. As this project developed, so did I. As I was given an idea for this in a dream I awoke with so many questions. “Where? Who? What?” I tried so hard to find what was lying inside me. It was that warm feeling of life, of excitement, of awakening. It has been the first time in my life I have used the word Faith. I had so many questions with minimal answers. I was in complete amazement by all of the women who stepped forward and told me their stories, who were so enthralled to be a part of this project. And with that, I had more and more clarity each day. It’s an awakening from within me capturing your story, from the awakening within you. This first part of the series starts in water, in the complete abundance of our nourishing water, to signify to help, heal, cleanse and give life. I thank every person who was a part of this project, this ever continuing project that I’ll be working on for the rest of my life and it all started here with Angelic Magazine.
Three random facts about Ashley: 1. I am 10,436 days old as I write this & the World is 4.54 billion years… 2. I was born on a Tuesday. 3. I am a self-taught photographer (Pictured below, Ashley Myers)
AWAKENING MOTHER EARTH PHOTO-SHOOT
What does fashion mean to you? "I love fashion. I like to be creative. It's fun to have a concept and see it come to life and see your end result. I love photography, I love makeup. To have a blank canvas and do whatever I want with it, I'm passionate about it." What does Jesus mean to you? "It's my own personal relationship with Him. There's only one person I have to answer to at the end of the day and that's God. I don't label my faith. Do I believe in God, yes. It's my personal decision to believe." Visit angelicmag.com/trishnenes for the full interview and complete set of fashion images. Model: Harmonie Icide Wardrobe styling: Heather Powers Makeup: Mariana Espriu Clothing by: www.lollypopvintage.com Hair: Katt Alford
What does fashion mean to you? "Fashion is a form of expression. It's my way of being creative and being able to express myself. It can be a way to show an emotion and even a way to make someone feel good about themselves. Fashion is all around us, whether we see it or not, it's everywhere." How do you feel Jesus influences fashion? "By letting people know that it's okay to be modest. There is a way to be on trend and be a part of fashion and still have morals about the way you dress." Designers featured: Tyler McDaniel and Eliud Andrade Wardrobe stylist: Anastasia Balom Hair and makeup: Catalina Lopez Models: Nikki Smith and Kiana Caton
I
Bread of Life. Servant. King of Glory. Hope.
have a confession: I'm a Christian
The Word. The Way. The Truth. The Life.
who doesn't like Christmas. Somehow,
Emmanuel. Lamb of God. The Promise.
over the past years, I've followed after
First born of all creation. Messiah.
the Grinch with a heart two sizes too
Prophet. Immenent one. Holy. Giver of Life.
small. My soul cringes when
This is who Christ is. This is what God
decorations start appearing in
has made available to us when He sent
October. When stores begin playing
I watched a few made for TV Christmas movies to get me in the
Christmas tunes before we've had a
mood, which quickly discouraged me. Television would have me
chance to recognize Thanksgiving, I
think that Christmas is all about the miraculous transformation of
grumble, "Bah humbug!" to the
lonely, hot足mess women who win the hearts of their secret love by
commercialism that is thick in the air.
serving soup to the homeless on Christmas Day.
I love celebrating with my family on
man or a ghost of Christmas past, present or future. Television is
hype. Being raised in the desert, I've
not where I find the meaning of Christmas.
celebrate, not only on December 25th, but every day of our life that we recognize Not only do we recognize Christ for who He is, but for who He is in us. It is Christ in you, dear reader, the hope of glory. All that
never ridden a one horse open sleigh,
Let me make a correction to my confession: I am a Christian
roasted chestnuts over an open fire,
who doesn't like Christmas hype. I love Christ. Christmas is about
or even made a snowman (unless
Christ, so I love Christmas. To know about Christmas I must know
socks and foam balls constitute a
about Christ.
Christ is, He wants to share with others through you. Each year around this time we serve because Jesus served, we love because
snow man). I just don't get it. I am
This is what God's word says Christ is:
persistent in asking why we do what
He is the Prince of Peace. Lord of Lords. Healer. Provider.
Jesus loves, and we give because Jesus
we do? I'm tired of being the Scrooge
Teacher. Father. I Am that I Am. Son of God. King of Kings.
on Christmas. This year I was
Majesty. Reightousness. Mighty Counselor. Friend. Love. Judge.
challenged to find the true meaning.
Savior. Light of the world. The begining. The end. The Great I Am.
love Christmas. All of it. To me, when I think of Christmas, I think of spending time with my family and the traditions that go with season of the holidays. I don't remember most of the Christmas gifts I've received through the years, but when I look into the past I do remember always eating amazing food, my dad always falling asleep on Christmas Eve and I remember enjoying the atmosphere of family all around me. It's a tradition in my family that we celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve. With that tradition, obviously devouring amazing food is a necessity, Santa Baby and Jingle Bells is playing somewhere in the background with the chaos of siblings, in-laws, nieces and nephews now joining in on this tradition. My parents divorced when I was in high school and Christmas' haven't been the same since. I'm now twenty seven years old and am turning twenty eight a
remaining fully God. This is what we
Jesus for who He is.
All accomplished, of course, with the help of a twinkly足eyed fat
Christmas Day, but I dislike all the
I
His only son to become fully man while
gives. This is Christmas! Because of Christ, Christmas excites me. I joyfully anticipate singing to Him, rejoicing about all that He is because he was born.
It's a reason for people to go to church together and despite the commercialism of Christmas distracting people's attention from Jesus, Jesus' purpose of love prevails. I enjoy hearing Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer playing at every department store and coffee shop I walk in. I look forward to the sweater and jacket weather season as week before Christmas this December. We no longer go as a well as scheming for the sentimental gift family to the Christmas tree farm to select and chop down our that'll make my mom cry this year. Riding tree; we haven't done that in years. We've replaced the fresh smell of nature with the plastic, artificial but glamorous looking around in the car at night and driving kind of tree that is stored in the garage until its month to sparkle through neighborhoods just to look at people's decorations still makes me happy. is called upon. I'm no longer the boy who viewed The people in my life have changed and some of the customs Christmas as a time to count how many of my Christmas experience have as well, but the spirit of presents I had under the tree. I've grown Christmas has never died within me. To me, that's what Christmas is, coming together through the chaos and changes of into someone who loves Jesus and oneday life but embracing a season of togetherness with those God has when I have my own family, I want to experience this season with my wife and put in our path. teach our children about the season of Jesus always spoke about love and loving one another Christmas: loving Jesus, loving family, Christmas is an excuse for us to spend time together, get each embracing traditions and eating amazing other gifts cook for one another, listen to holiday music and food as a family, together. drink hot chocolate in the cold together. .
,
F
or this issue of Angelic, we held an open model casting and one model residing in the Phoenix area would be picked to be featured in a photo-shoot editorial. The submission process was simple, email a photo of yourself and state in your email why you should be selected. Whether the model was agency represented or had no previous modeling experience, that wasn't our concern. We wanted a model who had the sincerity to seek and live for Jesus. After the submission process concluded, Hope Stropnicky from Chandler, AZ was chosen. This was Stropnicky's first time ever modeling and the photo-shoot was photographed in the Arizona desert with a talented team of hair, makeup, wardrobe styling and clothing provided by a local fashion boutique as well as tshirts provided by a Jesus inspired clothing brand. The purpose of the model casting and photo-shoot was to represent Jesus through fashion. A photograph can't always express or communicate who Jesus is, but through the models, hair stylists, makeup artists, photographers, fashion designers and wardrobe stylists who believe in Jesus, it is through their faith, their testimonies that the message of Christ will be proclaimed through fashion. To conclude the model casting and photo-shoot, Angelic sat down with Hope Stropnicky to hear her story for why she chooses to believe in Jesus. 21 ANGELICMAG.com
Angelic: Why Jesus? Stropnicky: "He's been the only one faithful in my life. I grew up in the a bad area and I always saw people leave my life and people would let me down, people just fail you. So, even as many times as I push God away, especially when I fail, then I have to remember He loves me. He constantly loves me, pursues me and I'm learning over time that and it's bringing me closer to Him. Rather than running away from Him, I'm running to Him. He's just proved faithful to me." Q. In your submission to the model casting you stated self-worth was a struggle for you. What did you mean specifically? A. "I really struggled with self-worth. My friend Sheila gave me a challenge for New Years two years ago, which was to know what true beauty is. I started on this journey and I just kept getting more frustrated and it just wasn't making any sense to me and that's when God started showing me it's not just what you look like, God designed you as you and you don't have to work at beauty. Knowing that I'm doing the best to be who God made me to be has helped. It's still a process but I'm getting better at it. You can look at the most beautiful women in the world and they struggle with self-worth. I think it's a struggle that all women have." Q. What made you want to model? A. "I've always wanted to model. I've always been artistic, I love photography, music, I love having my picture taken. I think just the joy of it. The Lord gave us creativity, but beauty and photography, capturing moments, it's fun and every good gift is from the Lord."
Q. You're leaving to Australia in January to study dance at Hillsong College. How did that come about? A. "When I was fifteen it was my dream place to go and it's been six years of just building to go there. I looked at Hillsong College and saw they had a dance program. I've been dancing since I was three and I teach it. I prayed about it and applied to their dance program, months later I got the announcement I was accepted into it." Q. What are your dreams and goals with ministry? A. "My desire is to reach girls who don't know who they are, because that was me. I want to teach God's word to them, show them and display His love. Let them know they're beautiful even if they're not a size double zero. I would love to encourage women to be fearless and bold, and for them to know that they're special." Q. To someone who is skeptical about Jesus, how would communicate that Jesus isn't scary? A. "A lot of people have questions, I still have my questions, my doubts, God works in that. I would say to ask God to give you eyes to see Him. You don't have to be afraid of the religious part of it. Don't judge who He is off of people or institutions because no one's perfect. Rather than trying to figure Him out, just ask Him to reveal Himself to you." (Visit angelicmag.com/decembercastingshoot For the complete set of photo-shoot images)