Aria Frances on being a 22 year old international model — Creative Smart Girl

Aria Francis is more than your typical 22 year old. At such a young age, she’s accomplished what most should and more. The college grad and model has already walked in the MODABOX Runway Show, Caribbean New York Fashion Week, and the Harbison Showcase at Made Fashion Week. As early as 11 years old, Francis was getting interested in the modeling and fashion industry and set out to pursue her goals. This Caribbean model gives Creative Smart Girl some insight to the realities of what it means to be a young, ambitious, Black woman in fashion: Tell us a bit about you? Where are you from? How old are you? Fun facts? I am from Grenada, I am 22 years old and I am a humble and goal oriented person. I am [a graduate of] Social Work, at the T.A. Marryshow Community College in Grenada. I have siblings I live with in the south of the island. I love keeping busy – love being a part of creative activities and love helping others. Your Instagram bio says you’re preparing to be plucked out of obscurity, how’s that going? Tell us a bit about your goals and dreams and how you plan to take the fashion industry by storm? I am prepared to challenge the world with my talent, be it regionally or internationally. 2014 has been my best year thus far; I have accomplished the majority of my short-term goals which included both regional and international fashion weeks. By living up to my goals – keeping toned, eating healthy and targeting as many agencies as possible – I expect to achieve my dream of being a full-time, professional model, among other things. What would you say was your biggest break at this point in your career? My biggest break happened when I traveled to the United States of America, during New York Fashion Week this year and participated in Charles Harbison’s showcase at Made Fashion Week, during New York Fashion Week. It was my first time to model for such an important international designer. Vogue Magazine has recently featured Mr. Harbison. His work is really elegant and different. He was even interviewed, prior to this year’s New York Fashion Week, by Vogue.com’s Fashion News Director, Chioma Nnadi. Well, fortunately for me, Mr. Harbison invited me back to do a private showcase title “Muse”, for some very influential persons, including the first black model to ever be on the cover of Vogue magazine, Ms. Beverly Johnson. So, that was a great highlight for me, as I got to present for her and also got to meet her. I also made some really important contacts from both of those events, that are already helping me to achieve my goals way faster than I ever imagined.Obviously, NYFW had to be such a dream come through, was that your first time being at NYFW? If yes, please describe the experience. If no, please describe your first time at NYFW. Yes it was my first time and a dream come true! The experience was magnificent, my days were very hectic, moving from casting calls, to whole day fittings. There was one day I actually got an email – this was for the Muse show by Charles Harbison – while I was in Coney Island. I had to change my plans – actually I and another model from Jamaica, Vernissa Bruce, who got called back. We had to rush out and get to the location, but it was so worth it. I also enjoyed getting to network and work with different kinds of people, like Make-up artists, designers and photographers. It was awesome. Although my time in New York was very short, I accomplished a lot which I am happy about.