SKYE

Photography & Creative Direction: Irvin Rivera

Styling: MONICA CARGILE

Makeup: KENDELL COTTA

Hair: CHERRY PETENBRINK

Photo Asst: PHIL LIMPRASERTWONG

Who is Skye? Tell us about your story.

I was born and raised in Pennsylvania, in a small town outside of Pittsburgh. I always felt out of place in my hometown. I grew up wanting to be an actress like Marilyn Monroe. In my town, there aren’t many opportunities, so I couldn't wait to leave.

School felt like a waste of time, I never liked staying in a classroom for the entire day.

They would also always push you to go to college and I never saw myself having that path.

I wanted fame and excitement and it’s sad because people never understand that.

They push something "realistic", but you can really make anything realistic if you're serious about it. I was really careless in high school, I did my own thing and didn't really care what other people thought of me: I transferred to online school at 14, so I had more freedom to do what I wanted. 

Tell us more about your hometown.

I’m from a town outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It's a very small town with very little things to do.

Where are you currently based? Which city do you see yourself in?

I don't really have a base right now, but definitely LA. I'm working on moving here permanently. There are just so many opportunities here and every day feels perfect.

How did modeling start for you? How were you scouted?

I was scouted for modeling when I was 14 at a convention and immediately left public school to pursue it (and graduated through online school). I got an agency in NYC and worked there ever since. I eventually got agencies in London, Paris, & Milan. I am now 20 so it’s been almost 6 years in the industry.

In the fashion industry, you really grow up fast and you learn a lot about yourself. Modeling for me has been a lot of ups and downs. I really enjoyed it when I first started. I knew who I was and I wasn't afraid to be myself.

When you're young in the industry you can really lose yourself and I ended up losing myself for over 4 years.

I started caring too much about what other people wanted for me and it made me really unhappy.

I took a break from modeling last year to find myself again and I'm still on that journey but I began to love modeling again. I feel like I'm having fun with it.

LA has been the best experience for me and I just want to live here for the rest of my life. I have worked with so many amazing people here which really just helped me find my love for it again. LA is my light. 

What inspired you to be a model?

Growing up a lot of people would tell me I should be a model, but I was always unsure about it. I was deeply interested in acting, because Marilyn Monroe was my idol.

In my teen years, I started really considering it and trying to send photos to agencies. I feel like the thing that inspired me was seeing models like Kate Moss, Karen Mulder, Tyra Banks, Claudia Schiffer, Adriana Lima, Miranda Kerr, & Candice Swanepoel. They were all amazing and doing so many great things. I really wanted to do Victoria's Secret and Guess.

What's the best part of being a model?

I love the opportunities you get through modeling. You get to travel a lot so it's a lot of freedom. If you're not happy where you are you can go somewhere else. There aren't many jobs like that. I also love the people I meet; there are so many amazing people in the industry that you just learn so much from. In the fashion industry you have so many creative minds working together and it's so inspiring.

What's your most memorable experience in modeling so far?

The most memorable experience was probably recently, when I really took control of my own life. I really felt like I needed to come to LA, and I am a firm believer in intuition. There was definitely something drawing me here. I made it happen for myself and ever since I got here everything has felt right for me. 

How do you manage your time as a model?

I feel like with modeling you have to really take advantage of the random days off you have. I love going to the beach or going to pilates to chill. Also music always helps. Sometimes you start getting too into modeling, so you realize you need a little bit of grounding. So it's important to realize when you do.

Top 3 songs on your playlist right now

Pride - Kendrick Lamar
The Morning - The Weeknd
Both - Gucci Mane, Drake, & Lil Wayne

What is your dream project?

I would love to do Guess Campaigns or become a Victoria's Secret Angel. ent-->

Proudest moment of your career.

I would say the proudest moment of my career was finding myself and my love for modeling again. I know that's a weird moment to say I'm proudest of, but I really am so happy I can enjoy modeling again. 

Tell us something that a regular non-industry person may not know about modeling and the fashion industry itself.

I think a lot of people aren't aware of the little things you think matter, but they really don't matter in the real world. For example, modeling is all about measurements and you're appearance. For a while I would see every detail that I needed to fix, but in reality people don’t think so much about their hair or makeup or what they are wearing. I think when you're in the industry you feel a little more pressured. There is also the weight loss side of modeling. A lot of people don't understand the mass pressure to make your hips a specific size. I always struggled with this myself, but I'm 20 years old I have learned to love my hips. Having a healthy image is what I deeply am passionate about.

Aside from modelling, what else keeps you busy?

I love listening to music. Music is my life. I love hip-hop and R&B. I also love reformer pilates, it definitely helps with stress. I'm always watching Netflix on my time off. I'm a lowkey person most days. I am definitely interested in getting into acting on the side.

Advice to any aspiring models out there

My biggest advice is to not lose yourself.

If you wake up and you don't know who you are anymore, don't be afraid to take a step back.

We all need a little grounding & real word perspective sometimes. Also don't let other people in the industry and their opinions get to you. I am very strong on health, so make sure you prioritize your health as well.

There's a lot of pressure to lose weight always, but I don't care anymore. I think we all have different bodies, so if you have hips embrace them.

If you will be given the chance and opportunity to help a specific charity, what would it be and why? 

I would definitely help one of the charities that helps either children in need or animals. I just hate seeing suffering.