“Meet
Our
Model"
LYDIA
WARING
I grew up on a farm in rural Indiana. I have loved fashion since I was a little girl, but it was difficult to be "girly" when there were animals to be fed and crops to be harvested. I clipped pictures out JCPenney catalogues to save outfits I really liked, and habitually rewatched films like The Devil Wears Prada to get my fashion fix. Once I was an adult and living on my own, I started getting a little braver with my style choices. It was a lot easier to live out my dreams with my own place and my own money. During the pandemic lockdowns, I found myself with a lot more time on my hands and started posting outfit pictures to Instagram. From there, it grew to posting videos on TikTok and YouTube. Fashion has been an incredible tool for me to express my creativity and learn to feel okay in my skin. With some encouragement from friends and followers, I decided to try my hand at modeling to see what else was out there for me in the fashion world.
*Personal & Career Journey*
Can you tell us a little about yourself and how you started your modeling career?
What inspired you to become a model?
Self-confidence is something I've struggled with my entire life. It's a fear that has ruled my day-to-day for as long as I can remember, and I grew tired of letting that fear control me. Modeling isn't about being perfect or being the most beautiful. It's about being brave, unique, and allowing yourself to be vulnerable to a creative vision in order to bring art to life. The modeling world has expanded to allow people of all shapes and sizes to make statements and find success, so why not me?
Was there a defining moment that made you realize modeling was your true passion?
My friend, Joey, is a musician and asked if I would pose for the cover of his new album. At that point, I had been posting photos and videos of my outfits for years, but had never really considered that I could be modeling material. But being asked to be the face of someone's hard work made me realize that I had earned that trust after years of putting myself out there. Someone was confident in my look and my talents and believed I was good enough. That felt like getting permission to stop being so scared and jump in with everything I had.
*Industry Experience & Challenges*
What has been the most exciting or memorable shoot you’ve worked on?
I recently did a shoot called "The Martyred Saint". It was a creative project between Anthony Bolduc, a very talented photographer based in Grand Rapids, and me. I was raised in a religious household, and it's not a part of my upbringing that I look back on fondly. With time, I've learned to separate myself from the ideologies that did me harm as a little girl. This shoot was my way of demonstrating that many faiths are particularly unkind to women and girls. There is an expectation on women to suffer for the benefit of men and look beautiful while doing so. The shoot was intended to look alluring and powerful, while also demonstrating the utter sadness that comes along with being a martyr who is sacrificed for a cause.
Have you faced any challenges in the modeling industry? If so, how did you overcome them?
I have many things working against me as far as a modeling career goes. I'm 30-years-old, I live in the Midwest, I'm 5'4" tall, and I have greenish blue hair! Despite these details, I still believe there is a place for me in this world, even if I have to build that path myself and work a little harder. Art and style will be a part of me no matter where I am in life, so I don't mind the extra twists and turns this journey will bring me.
How do you prepare for a big shoot or runway show?
I'm a terrible sleeper, so I have to go to bed early and drink plenty of water the day before so I don't look as tired as I usually feel. I also tend to overpack ALWAYS and be over-prepared. I would rather have an item and never use it than need it and not have it. Music also plays a huge role in getting motivated for another shoot. It reminds me that musicians put themselves out there, and I can too. Orville Peck, A Perfect Circle, and Sleep Token are on repeat when I'm getting ready.
*Creative Process & Style*
How would you describe your modeling style?
I am someone who's content in taking the harder path to achieve a goal if it means I stay true to myself in the process. It's okay if it takes longer. It's okay if I don't get as many gigs. And it's okay if I never make it "big". I just want a body of work to look back on that I can feel proud of. There are many styles and art forms I am happy to emulate for a shoot, but if someone wanted me to lose weight, get cosmetic surgery, or change my entire life to suit a project, then the project is not for me.
Do you prefer editorial, commercial, or runway modeling, and why?
I personally adore editorial work. It's an opportunity to be experimental and push boundaries. It's where I feel the most at home and where my skillset really shines.
What role do you think storytelling plays in modeling?
Modeling itself is telling a story. A simple change in posture or expression can change the meaning of any image.
Whether you want to express power, vulnerability, or happiness, a model has the ability to be seen and help others see themselves in an image. How I pose in a dress could either just show the dress, or show the viewer who they could be in that dress.
*Influences & Inspirations*
Are there any models, photographers, or designers who have inspired you?
I am a big fan of Patti Smith and the shoot she did for her "Horses" album. It was a striking demonstration of feminism that disregarded the overt sexualization of women in music. While she is known for being a musician and not a model, the images taken during that shoot have stuck with me for over a decade. Her gaze is all-knowing and full of courage. That's the energy I want to bring into my work as a model. Patti Smith knew a lot of people wouldn't like her as she was, and that's why she did it, to show that the opinions of others shouldn't dictate how you live your life.
Whether it's modeling or styling, I'd love to be a part of helping musicians bring an authentic image to the world. I particularly love artists who already push boundaries with their styling. Orville Peck, Maynard James Keenan, DeathbyRomy, and Ethel Cain all inspire me to keep pushing myself.
What advice would you give to aspiring models looking to break into the industry?
Reach out to photographers in your area. So many of us have an idea and just need a helping hand to bring it to life. Oftentimes, you can trade work with people to build your own portfolio. Also, being open to criticism is vital. You don't know everything. It's all about learning and being humble enough to change your approach when necessary. And at the end of the day, some people are going to make fun of you. They will try to embarrass you for trying. But what's embarrassing about trying? I think it's far more depressing to reach the end of your life and realize that you never really tried. I refuse to let that be my future, so for now, a lot of people are going to think I'm embarrassing, and that's okay.
How do you stay motivated and continue growing as a model?
I go into each day knowing that I'm going to face rejection. I expect it, and I proceed anyway. At the end of the day, I know that everything I'm doing now would make my younger self proud. I'm trying to achieve everything that little me didn't think was possible.
*Future Goals & Advice*
What are your biggest career goals for the future?
Music and film are massive parts of my life. I hope someday that I can be featured in music videos and maybe even small film roles. I don't aspire to be famous; I just want to live a life that's full of storytelling and creativity.
Do you have any dream collaborations or brands you'd love to work with?
I would consider myself extremely lucky to be able to work with brands such as Vivienne Westwood or Forest Ink Clothing. My personal style leans heavily into the alternative and whimsical, and I'd be ecstatic to work with brands that feel so much like me. Brands aside, working in the music industry would be a dream come true.
