Meet Aliyah Mallard | Model & Beauty/Fashion Influencer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Aliyah Mallard and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Aliyah, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
The reason why I pursued an creative career is because I firmly believe that it is in everyone’s human nature to have the opportunity to express themselves in an artistic way. I have always had an outlet for artistic expression ever since I was a little girl. That would include drawing, painting, working with photography, studying different fashion trends, and even giving my parents “fashion shows” and modeling for them when I purchased any new clothing. I’ve always known that whichever career I decided to pursue, I had to have the opportunity to express my imaginative mind. This is what lead me to go after a modeling career while being an influencer for fashion. I have always believed that models have a bigger purpose than just “being pretty”. They are the blank canvas for a designer that allows them to be apart of a bigger objective. Models help assist the designer to express their vision to their peculiar audience, they are what helps sells the product.

Influencing is what allows me to express my individual looks, attitudes and different interests. Being a model also gives me the opportunity to work with brands that I’ve always had an appreciation and fondness for. I can choose to work with brands that align with my values and ideal ethics, just the same as the designers. Also, being obsessed with fashion only heightens my love for modeling. I appreciate every version of fashion aesthetics, ranging from classic chic to rebellious rock. So being able to work with many different brands for a living, is nothing less than a intense passion for me. I know that modeling will not only fulfill my creative expression, but assist many designers to fulfill theirs as well.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
The journey to becoming a model wasn’t as smooth as some may portray it to be. For the past 10 years, I was a student-athlete running Track and Field up until I graduated college. During that period, I was scouted a couple of times in the city of Houston but I didn’t have the opportunity to pursue the modeling career that I wanted due to my schedule being pretty hectic majority of the time. However, while I was in college I did start creating content behind the scenes. I was taking pictures involving many different fashion and beauty looks but never had the actual confidence to post them online so majority of them remained in my drafts. The reason my confidence was so minuscule was due to me going through an identity crisis. I didn’t really know who I was and I didn’t know if the path I was heading towards was something that I genuinely wanted to do with my life. These thoughts lead me to have negative feelings about myself and the content I was creating. I didn’t believe I would be good enough to put myself out on a platform for people around the world to potentially see.

It wasn’t up until I graduated college that I decided to follow my heart and start applying to agencies and creating content again. I decided that I was the only one in control of my feelings and I shouldn’t let anyone, including myself, deter me from putting my true thoughts and emotions towards something that I know would bring me happiness. After doing this, it felt like a burden was released from my shoulders. I felt confident again and knew that everything would work out in divine timing. I felt like I was not only pleasing my future self but my inner child. I knew that every negative feeling I felt about myself was only put there so I could further develop and understand my bigger purpose. I am way stronger than I portrayed myself to be. During this time of self realization, I realized that while pursing my modeling career I want to continue to be an advocate for young girls who are struggling with their identity. I want to be able to teach them that just because they feel like they are “down and out” doesn’t mean that God has a bigger plan for them. There will be times when you doubt yourself, but during those times don’t give up because eventually you will come to a realization and it could be greater than you ever expected.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
The different places you could visit in Houston are honestly endless. It just depends on the kind of day or night you’re intending to have. In my view there are a few different places I would visit in regards to eating, visiting, or just hanging out at.

The first place I would visit would be the restaurant Turkey Leg Hunt. The reason I enjoy this place is because of the different ways they can present a turkey leg. You could order a simple turkey leg or you could get it stuffed with macaroni and cheese. They also have a variety of drinks you could order with your meal (alcoholic or nonalcoholic). Another aspect of this restaurant that sets it apart from others is the venue. They have a commendable outdoor patio that you can sit on when it’s a beautiful day out or you could have a sit inside if the weather is a little unbearable (which is common in Houston). The aesthetic is also pretty casual, so you can dine during the day or at night depending on the mood.
The second restaurant that I would visit is Nobu. If you like Japanese food hot or cold, then you wouldn’t mind giving this place a try. This restaurant is an example of fine dining and is more on the expensive side but if your looking for an luxurious experience then this is your go-too. The food is exquisite and the overall feel of the atmosphere makes you want to return over and over. It also serves a variation of different drinks so if you’re just looking for a place to grab drinks with your friends and gossip this would be the perfect spot.

If your looking for some tourist attractions and don’t mind doing some walking, Houston has an immense range of different museums that you could visit depending on your specific interests. A couple museums that I believe fit for a variety of different of people would be the Museum of Fine Arts, Museum of Natural Science, and the Cockrell Butterfly Center located inside of the Museum of Natural Science. The Cockrell Butterfly Center might be a little on the pricey side for an exhibition but it’s absolutely worth it. If you love butterflies then this would be a dream come true. It has three sections within the exhibition and you could spend as much time as your like and also take an array of pictures of all the different species. You might even be lucky enough and some of the butterflies will land right on you!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to dedicate my shoutout to my parents, LaTarsha and Milton Mallard. Ever since I was a kid, my parents have always allowed me to express myself in whichever way that fulfilled me. They allowed me to dress however I wanted, practice different makeup trends, dye my hair different colors, and even supported me while I ventured out to start my modeling career. They’ve always encouraged me to embody all my interests without feeling pressured to do anything that I didn’t want to do. I think it is so important to have a support system that not only loves you and your individual talents, but a group that encourages you to do whatever makes you happy regardless of what others opinions are of you. My parents have believed in me even during times when I didn’t believe in myself. There were times when I was dealing with severe anxiety and depression and they ensured me that I wasn’t alone and that they would always stick beside me regardless of how I was feeling. They have given me nothing but love and I continue to grow appreciation for them as I become older.

Also, I will never go without giving thanks to God. Without his love, wisdom, and patience I truly wouldn’t have been able to pave my way through all my trials and tribulations. I always have faith in him because I know everything that has happened or will happen in my life good or bad, has been for a valuable purpose.
Hebrews 11:1- “Faith is the assured expectation of what is hoped for, the evident demonstration of realities that are not seen.”

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aliyahmallard_/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/aliyahmallardr

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCI-0UoiegU6cnSc-8RxhnWw

Other: Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/aliyahmallard_/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aliyahmallard_

Image Credits
Rain Dance Instagram: @rain.dance