Meet Lauryn Victoria | Model, Creative Director & Artist

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

Hi Lauryn, let’s talk legacy – what do you want yours to be?
When I was about 5 or 6, I remember walking around Payless with my mom and I picked out the highest, most flashy heels I could find. I put them on and told my mom I could walk in them. She quickly urged me to take them off before I broke an ankle but of course I just turned away and strutted down the aisle. No wiggling, no wobbling, just pure confidence. I felt powerful and most of all comfortable.

Every time I step on the runway, pick up a paintbrush, or express my creativity; the reserved little girl inside disappears, and my alter ego takes stage. Pure confidence and comfortability in myself and my gifts overpower every other emotion. My focus is to not only be able to share that with others but to empower others to have that same confidence and comfort in their own passions.

I say all that to say, I want my legacy to be inspirational to other women. I want people to remember me as someone who is very supportive of new ideas, makes a way out of no way to achieve their goals and is confident as their authentic self.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I have been an artist my entire life. Ever since I was a kid I would draw and paint. I participated in several art shows and even had an art piece hung up at the high school I attended. I am a self-taught traditional artist who specializes in realism which just means I try to make pieces that look as realistic as possible. As I got older, the art didn’t stop at the paper but transformed into my outfits, shoes, and how I would pose in front of the mirror. More recently with the rise of covid, the art expanded into props and scenes for photoshoots at home in a spare room to combat the lack of creativity I was feeling.

With all these avenues combined, I realized that bringing art to life was my passion and I wanted to make a career out of it. Has the journey been easy? Absolutely not. I grew up with an understanding that education and getting a good job was the priority and creativity came along after that so trying to combat the expectation as well as trying to succeed and make a name for myself in an industry that I have no prior knowledge of has been extremely nerve wrecking at times. That’s why it has been so important to me to keep my plans private and only share with God and my small community.

Through this process, I’ve learned that I am just as worthy of success as anyone else in this industry. Imposter syndrome is real, especially when you do not have the following or the platform that other creatives have but when I sat back and noticed I was booking opportunities and shows walking alongside other models who were signed to big named agencies and walking in NYFW, it gave me the reminder I needed that I could really be successful if I put my all into this.

I am in such a transitional phase in my life right now and I just know that this next phase is going to be filled with opportunities, success, and stepping out of my comfort zone so I am very excited.

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.
Oooohh this is tough. Now I’m not originally from Houston so even though I have lived here for years I feel as though I’m still finding new places to eat, shop, and hang out. I’m not too sure about an entire itinerary but we would have to go eat at The Breakfast Klub, Thai Gormet, The Waffle Bus, Willie G’s, The Turkey Leg Hut, Shipley’s Do-Nuts, Lucille’s, Crawfish & Noodles, Pier 6 Seafood & Oyster House…just to name a few. Obviously, you can tell where my priorities are when it comes to things to do.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First and foremost; my creativity and artistic abilities are all God-given talents. Anything I want to pursue, learn, or be a part of, I pray over and talk to Him about first.

In addition, I wouldn’t have the success I have thus far or the confidence to keep pursing my dreams without the small community I keep around me. From taking my picture until we get the picture, to sending me casting call information, to buying me art supplies, to giving me the nickname ‘Leaux Vi’ which is the name of my brand, to even nominating me for this exact interview. I really cherish all the kind words, encouragement, and support that I receive from them more than they even know.

Website: https://www.leauxvi.com

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

Other: https://www.pinterest.com/leauxvi https://www.tiktok.com/@leauxvi

Image Credits
Andrea Rodriguez