EVELYN VI NGUYEN

Emerging Fashion Model

When did you first get into modeling?

I have always loved being in front of a camera ever since I was little, but I didn’t start seriously modeling until 2018 even though modeling had always been a dream of mine. I actually had been taking photos here and there just on my iPhone and posting to Instagram when a more prominent New Mexico photographer noticed me and told me I had potential to model and that’s how I got started really modeling.

Who or What inspired you to be a model?

Like I said, I have wanted to model since I was little. I remember seeing models on tv and on billboards and wishing I could be walking on a runway on television like. Now my motivation is to still be the model that I used to see on television and in stores, but to be able to motivate the little girls who look like me since there are not many Asian models to look up to, and I never really saw models on tv who looked like me, which actually discouraged me in some ways.

What style of model do you consider your work to be?

I would consider myself to be a print model and a runway model. I do a lot of print work and for my height it makes sense. I am only 5’4 which means I don’t exactly meet the height requirements for “high fashion” to walk runway, but that doesn’t mean I don’t walk runway here in New Mexico. I shoot print a lot more frequently than I walk runway, but I have still walked in many shows and continue to book more shows.

If you were forced to choose only one, which emotion, more than any other drives you to stay in this tough business? Is it joy, anger, desire, passion or pride and why?

Spite. I know that may sound fairly negative, but let me explain. I don’t believe spite is a negative drive because to me, spite is doing what others told me I cannot. Being short, I was told I can’t walk runway or even model, but here I am, having walked in numerous shows, booking jobs, and doing various other model things. I believe spite can be used positively to drive you to do what other tell you that you can’t, rather than giving up your goals.

What do you think makes you stand out in an industry overflowing with new faces?

I think what makes me stand out is my look. In the modeling industry, while ever growing in diversity, there is still not a lot of Asian representation. I have managed to somewhat broken that barrier; being in New Mexico, in particular, there are not a lot of Asians, so being able to model and become known is really exciting for not just me, but to the little girls who look like me as well.

What has been your biggest challenge as a model? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?

I would have to say my biggest challenges as a model are both my height and geological location. As I mentioned, I’m not the typical runway height, and while that hasn’t posed an issue here in New Mexico, it does mean that runway is more difficult to pursue in the bigger fashion hotspots. Being in

Photo by Josh Gabbard

New Mexico does somewhat pose as a challenge, because the fashion industry in New Mexico, while growing, still isn’t as prominent as in other states. I have been lucky enough to sign with an agency locally in New Mexico and also in New York, but there is still struggle to book sometimes because of my location. I would love to help raise the level of the fashion industry in New Mexico because there are so many talented people here who go unrecognized: fellow models, artists, and photographers.

A common phrase in the industry is, “you must suffer for your art”. Do you agree with this statement? If so, how have you suffered for your art?

Honestly, it isn’t an easy industry. I have been lucky enough to not struggle with my body image, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t mentally suffered for my art. In the industry, it is easy to second guess yourself and constantly wonder “what if I’m not good enough, pretty enough, tall enough” and modeling does warrant a lot of criticism at times. I have had people tell me that I’m not a “real model” and make assumptions about me because I model. It’s a mental suffering that I have been working on, and most of the time I can move past it, but there are definitely times I self-doubt.

How do you feel the Internet has impacted the modeling industry?

Social media is everything now a days and I feel like it’s made it both harder and easier to be a model in different aspects. It is easier for companies to discover you, but there is a larger number of applicants

Photo by Nicole Cudzilo

Photo by Jose W. Casias

so you really have to stand out and catch a scout’s eye, which is harder with so many applicants. At that point, you have to be exactly what they’re looking for.

If you could collaborate with any photographer who would you like to work with? And Why?

If I could collaborate with any photographer… gosh there are so many talented and amazing photographers in the industry that I don’t think I could pick one above any other. I love getting to work with different companies and photographers and I don’t think I could ever pick a single one that I would love to work with over another, and I still have so many I have yet to collaborate and work with!

What hidden talents do you have?

Ooh hidden talents! I’m not sure what hidden talents I have so they must still be hidden! I sing, act, and I can play the piano, but I’m not sure how hidden those are. A fun fact though is that I can name all the US Presidents in order!

What is the best advise you have received?

The best advise I’ve gotten has to be “have fun, tell the truth, and fall in love”. That was something my Speech and Debate coach (also actress) Sheridan Johnson would always say to me before each competition round. I think it’s not just an amazing motto for speech and debate rounds, but also a great motto for anything you do in life!

Photo by Paul Baca

Are you affiliated with any organizations and/or brands?

I am a brand representative for BBeauty, my favorite lash line (go check them out at bbeautylife.com). I continue to do work for ASTRL Clothing, K-Bobby Edgar, and Tuyen at T&T Alterations.

What’s next for you?

I plan to move out of New Mexico in 2021, not to LA or New York unfortunately, but I do plan to continue modeling and further my modeling career and take it to the next level. Until then, I plan to keep shooting as much as I can, working with local brands and companies, booking more jobs, walking in the local fashion shows, and really just doing everything I can to stay in the game.

Photo by Megan Kamauoha

How can fans-to-be follow your career?

The best way to follow my career would be through my Instagram. You can find me @itsevelynvi and I post on there pretty regularly so it’s easy to keep up with my career and life in general (its also where I am most active). I also have a YouTube channel, but I’m not as active on there as I am on Instagram; you can still find it under Evelyn Vi on YouTube.

Photo by Lauren Shipman

Photo by Darin Gage