Interview with La Carmina — Travel digital influencer, TV host
La Carmina is a 22-year old model residing in Los Angeles, California.
How would you introduce yourself to our readers?
I grew up in Vancouver, Canada but spent a lot of time in Asia with my family, and it led to my passion for alternative, Japanese and Gothic street styles. In 2007, I started my La Carmina blog to chronicle my obsessions for Jpop fashion and culture. The site caught on with readers, and it led to opportunities I never imagined including modeling for magazine covers, hosting travel TV shows around the world, and working as a digital influencer with travel and fashion partners. This year alone, I was in UK, Iceland, Singapore, Bali, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Vietnam – and it’s only the first half of 2015!
When, how and why did you first get involved in the modeling industry?
I didn’t start out with any intention of being a model. When I started out, fashion blogging was new, and it was fun to share my personal style and stories with readers who shared my passions. My signatures are kawaii-Gothic makeup, colorful dyed hair, and alternative clothing. As my blogging career grew, it led to magazines featuring me in modeling spreads, as well as covers. To date, I’ve done editorial shoots for the covers of Vanity UK, Dark Beauty, Alt Noir, Giuseppina Magazine and more. I’ve also been featured in Cosmopolitan, Vogue, and various Asia fashion magazines like China’s Ray Li.
What are your personal and professional goals? Where do you see yourself in five to ten years?
My life and career are constantly evolving, and it’s impossible to predict where I’ll be in even a year. Blogging as a full-time job didn’t even exist 5 to 10 years ago, and neither did social networks like Facebook and Instagram. Right now, I’m enjoying doing creative work with my friends that involves travel, and opening people’s eyes to alternative lifestyles and culture around the world. I’m especially focusing on travel TV and videos, and hope to keep growing all this in the next years.
How often are you modeling and what does it usually consist of?
It depends on how you might define modeling. For example, in my upcoming journey to Europe and North Africa, I’ll be shooting almost every day with my film team. I’ll create a look of the day, and we’ll capture pro photos, videos and more all around the cities. This content will appear on my blog, in major media sites, and on my social networks. In terms of editorial modeling, with a team of makeup artists, hair stylists, and extensive photography equipment, I only do these types of shoots for magazine covers and spreads. Generally, I do a shoot like this once every two months.
Please tell us about the best and/or worst experiences you’ve had so far in modeling.
I recently shot a cover for Love Japan magazine, on location in Iceland. It was amazing to shoot on the black sand beaches, surrounded by the stark landscape and icy waters. I wore a Game of Thrones inspired outfit and had my hair in braids, since the HBO show is shot here.
As for negative experiences, I fainted on two shoots… once from a too-tight corset, and once from being in a hot tub for too long! But it was worth it, for the resulting shots.
Have you had anything funny, embarrassing or completely out of the ordinary happen during your modeling
career?
I like to shoot on-location, since it fits my street style and travel aesthetic. This has led to some bizarre situations, such as doing a hardcore Gothic shoot in the busy streets of Hong Kong… We got a lot of funny looks from passersby!
Do you practice any sports and what do you typically eat? Please elaborate on the importance of nutrition and exercise in your life.
Health, exercise and nutrition are extremely important to me. I travel so much and have to be at the top of my game especially during travel TV shoots, which can involve 12 hour long shoots. I eat clean as best as I can, without being too strict. I focus on free-range, organic, grassfed proteins, vegetables, fruits and healthy dairy. Sugar and carbs are kept to a minimum, with an emphasis on gluten-free options, but I love my ice cream!. As for exercise, I go on long walks, and do bodyweight exercises and high intensity interval training exercises. Efficient and effective, that’s how I roll.
Please share something people don’t know about you.
I am obsessed with Miffy the bunny, and Italo Disco and Eurobeat music.
Would you change anything about yourself?
I try my best to keep in the moment, and not get worked up about the past or future, or get hung up on anxieties… Every day, I try to cultivate a bit more of this stability and wisdom. But it’s not always easy.
What is the one talent you wish you possessed?
It would be wonderful if I was fluent in many more languages… Traveling would be a breeze!
Visit La Carmina’s website for more photos and information