Ph: Sofia Sanchez&Mauro Mongiello
PONY RYDER presents EXCLUSIVE interview with fashion model ALI MICHAEL.
She embodies American beauty...
Ali Michael is with DNA (NYC), Viva (Paris), Why Not (Milan), Kim Dawson (m.a.).
Ph: Jason Kibbler (mixte)
PONY RYDER:Why didn’t you take part in this season's fashion weeks Ali?
ALI MICHAEL: I needed to take some time for myself this season.
ALI MICHAEL: I needed to take some time for myself this season.
PONY RYDER: How did your modeling career take off?
ALI MICHAEL: I started modeling when I won the Kim Dawson Model Search in 2005. I was fifteen.
Ph: Paola Kudacki for Vogue Latin America
PONY RYDER: You started so young. What is it like to be a model in the teenage years?
ALI MICHAEL: In the beginning, balancing high school and work was a bit of a challenge. I had meetings with my principals and counselor and set up ways for me to complete my work in advance and make up time that I missed by coming to school early, staying late, and spending Saturdays in the classroom. Eventually I enrolled in some classes through an online university in Texas. My high school was incredibly cooperative with me and I ended up graduating with my class in 2008.
ALI MICHAEL: In the beginning, balancing high school and work was a bit of a challenge. I had meetings with my principals and counselor and set up ways for me to complete my work in advance and make up time that I missed by coming to school early, staying late, and spending Saturdays in the classroom. Eventually I enrolled in some classes through an online university in Texas. My high school was incredibly cooperative with me and I ended up graduating with my class in 2008.
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PONY RYDER: Now that you have a lot of experience as a model and have a well-established career, do you think it’s best to start at a very early age or later on?
ALI MICHAEL: Even though I don't regret the choices that I made, I would absolutely recommend to anyone who wants to start modeling to finish school first. Working on a local level in Texas would have probably been pretty easy to manage, but once I began doing the shows and hit the international market it became much, much more difficult. I also think that those few years can make a big difference in really knowing if modeling is what you want to do.
Lanvin's Jeanne Lanvin
PONY RYDER: What do you think was your big breakthrough moment in fashion?
ALI MICHAEL: I don't know that I had one big "breakthrough moment" but I do think that opening Lanvin my first season was a great thing for me. It was absolutely surreal to even be doing the show, let alone open it.
Ph: the cobrasnake
PONY RYDER: Were there any people trying to bring you down, or suggesting you should not be a model?
ALI MICHAEL: Of course. I was awkward, weird and really insecure in school. Guys didn't find me attractive and I never had a boyfriend until high school. When I was just working in Dallas my school newspaper ran a picture and story about me and I remember hearing about people scribbling my face out of the picture and talking about how ugly I was.
ALI MICHAEL: Of course. I was awkward, weird and really insecure in school. Guys didn't find me attractive and I never had a boyfriend until high school. When I was just working in Dallas my school newspaper ran a picture and story about me and I remember hearing about people scribbling my face out of the picture and talking about how ugly I was.
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PONY RYDER: How did you deal with that?
ALI MICHAEL: Of course it made me feel bad because I was so self conscious. Now, I have just come to see that that kind of criticism comes from other peoples' insecurity. I don't take it to heart. Different people have different ideas of what is or isn't beautiful. I've definitely learned that at least in my own perspective, physical appearance just doesn't pull as much weight as people act like it should.
Ph: Jason Kibbler
PONY RYDER: Ali, after everything, after going through a difficult time, how did you regain your strength and renewed your body, skin, hair...soul?
ALI MICHAEL: I basically just try to be mindful of my choices. I follow a lot of macrobiotic principles that affect not only my diet but also my mentality as well. I always cleanse and moisturize my face in the morning and at night, try and get plenty of sleep, and I don't smoke. I think the most helpful thing for me is to honestly just breathe. It sounds funny but sometimes I forget to stop worrying and just be present, and taking deep breaths really brings me back to what the focus should be.
ALI MICHAEL: I basically just try to be mindful of my choices. I follow a lot of macrobiotic principles that affect not only my diet but also my mentality as well. I always cleanse and moisturize my face in the morning and at night, try and get plenty of sleep, and I don't smoke. I think the most helpful thing for me is to honestly just breathe. It sounds funny but sometimes I forget to stop worrying and just be present, and taking deep breaths really brings me back to what the focus should be.
Ph: the cobrasnake
PONY RYDER: Tell us about your best friends! Do you have more friends in the fashion world, or more friends from your non-professional life?
ALI MICHAEL: I try to have a balance of friends in and out of the fashion world. I have a few friends in Texas that I really miss that I can just be completely crazy and stupid with. I love being crazy and stupid but it doesn't happen with everyone. When I'm gone we just record embarrassing and ridiculous videos for each other on facebook. Otherwise I'm probably a bit of a bore to most people because my favorite things are just hanging out in bookstores, reading, and walking around the city. I do have to say that last season in Milan, Taryn Davidson and I had a dance party in our hotel room.
showcard
PONY RYDER: What happens when a model skips a castings, or comes in very late?
ALI MICHAEL: During the shows people seem to almost expect you to come a little bit late to things because your schedule is so crazy. I'm a person who really hates being late to things so I guess I really haven't had much experience with it. I think that being late or skipping castings would come off as pretty unprofessional.
Ph: Magnus Unnar for Flair Italia
PONY RYDER: When you are working on the cover, do you know that in advance, or do you just think you are doing an editorial... and then - surprise!
ALI MICHAEL: Nothing is guaranteed. You might do a "cover try" but you can't expect it to happen until you've got the magazine actually in your hands.
ALI MICHAEL: Nothing is guaranteed. You might do a "cover try" but you can't expect it to happen until you've got the magazine actually in your hands.
Ali for Wallpaper, ph: Paola Kudacki
PONY RYDER: Aside from the obvious good sides of modeling, what would you say have been the benefits of modeling for you? How has your personality changed and improved with time?
ALI MICHAEL: Modeling has definitely matured me a lot. It's made me much more comfortable interacting with people. It's also the reason why I moved to New York which has really caused me to become independent. Living here is amazing when you're young because there is so much to do and so many people from all over the world to meet. Having that kind of exposure has shaped me quite a lot so far. Really, I'm just growing up and figuring things out like any other eighteen-year-old.
ALI MICHAEL: Modeling has definitely matured me a lot. It's made me much more comfortable interacting with people. It's also the reason why I moved to New York which has really caused me to become independent. Living here is amazing when you're young because there is so much to do and so many people from all over the world to meet. Having that kind of exposure has shaped me quite a lot so far. Really, I'm just growing up and figuring things out like any other eighteen-year-old.
source: TFS by thinkbelove, zimbio.com
PONY RYDER: Ali, how do you maintain balance between a fantastic shape and nutrition?
ALI MICHAEL: I do cardio at the gym and do floor exercises at night and in the morning. Most of the time I get my exercise by walking all over the city. I don't even have a subway card because I just prefer to walk. It's definitely more scenic than running on the treadmill. As far as nutrition, I think the most important thing is to have a healthy balance of nutrients in your food and to appreciate and be mindful of where it comes from and how fortunate you are to have it.
ALI MICHAEL: I do cardio at the gym and do floor exercises at night and in the morning. Most of the time I get my exercise by walking all over the city. I don't even have a subway card because I just prefer to walk. It's definitely more scenic than running on the treadmill. As far as nutrition, I think the most important thing is to have a healthy balance of nutrients in your food and to appreciate and be mindful of where it comes from and how fortunate you are to have it.
Ph: Terry Richardson for Vogue Paris
PONY RYDER: Is there something else as well?
ALI MICHAEL: I grew up riding horses. That is one thing that I miss so much about home. I love being at the stable on a really quiet, early morning and just being with the horses. It's so therapeutic for me. When I'm in Texas I ride as much as I can. I also ran track my freshman year in high school. I was disqualified in my first race for accidentally tripping the girl next to me by running into her lane. The judge shot a gun in the air to end the race early but I didn't know what it meant so I kept running until i got to the end and realized I had run the whole way by myself.
PONY RYDER: Ali :)ALI MICHAEL: I grew up riding horses. That is one thing that I miss so much about home. I love being at the stable on a really quiet, early morning and just being with the horses. It's so therapeutic for me. When I'm in Texas I ride as much as I can. I also ran track my freshman year in high school. I was disqualified in my first race for accidentally tripping the girl next to me by running into her lane. The judge shot a gun in the air to end the race early but I didn't know what it meant so I kept running until i got to the end and realized I had run the whole way by myself.
Ph: Sofia Sanchez&Mauro Mongiello
PONY RYDER: How do you maintain your skin?
ALI MICHAEL: I cleanse and moisturize my face twice a day.
ALI MICHAEL: I cleanse and moisturize my face twice a day.
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PONY RYDER: What products do you prefer?
ALI MICHAEL: I love Origins products. I use the Checks and Balances face-wash and A Perfect World moisturizer and eye cream. I have really sensitive skin but I've used this stuff for years and I love it. I also occasionally use a face-mask made only of azuki beans, rice bran and soybeans ground together. For body, I use a natural exfoliating scrub from Sabon in NYC in the shower and moisturize every day with organic avocado oil and a shea butter cream. I also have a total obsession with lip balm.
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PONY RYDER: And hair. Do you have any special regime you do...?
ALI MICHAEL: I don't have any special regime. I just shampoo and condition it whenever I feel it needs it.
ALI MICHAEL: I don't have any special regime. I just shampoo and condition it whenever I feel it needs it.
source: TFS by the glass angel @ imaxtree
PONY RYDER: Do you have any beauty advice, or beauty secret ...?
ALIO MICHAEL: I think that taking care of yourself mentally and physically is the key.
Ph: Jason Kibbler for Mixte
PONY RYDER: Let's talk about your style choices. What is the last style item you bought?
ALI MICHAEL: I bought some jeans from Uniqlo.
PONY RYDER: What will be your summer look this season?
ALI MICHAEL: I don't seem to change it up too much season to season. I'll just wear less layers. Most of my clothes are black and gray so I stick to that. I like not having to really think about it.
PONY RYDER: And where do you shop for your clothes?
ALI MICHAEL: There are so many places to shop in New York. I really like to have simple t-shirts by Kain, T by Alexander Wang and Clu. I go to American Apparel for some basics and I also love Ksubi jeans.
PONY RYDER: What will be your summer look this season?
ALI MICHAEL: I don't seem to change it up too much season to season. I'll just wear less layers. Most of my clothes are black and gray so I stick to that. I like not having to really think about it.
PONY RYDER: And where do you shop for your clothes?
ALI MICHAEL: There are so many places to shop in New York. I really like to have simple t-shirts by Kain, T by Alexander Wang and Clu. I go to American Apparel for some basics and I also love Ksubi jeans.
Ph: Paolo Roversi for Italian Vogue
PONY RYDER: Ali what is important for you at this moment?
ALI MICHAEL: Balance..
Exclusive interview with fashion model Ali Michael is original work and courtesy of Pony Ryder blog.
36 comments:
so wonderful:)hope you're doing fine and everything goes right for you!
good job on the interview, she is so interesting, not only her beauty, but her natural silk features!
have a nice day!
xoxo Gia
What a smart and relaxed girl! No wonder she made it big in the industry, with such a calm and smart attitude!
And it's really interesting to see how all these different girls have different ways of thinking.
Ali seems to be one of those people you could have serious conversation with, no drama, no ego.
Love her!
Wallpaper cover+story was shot by Paola Kudacki
Awww she is such a sweetheart. And I dont understand how her classmates can say she is ugly, when she is just so obviously beautiful. This is my favorite interview so far, Pony.
THANK YOU for this interview! I've been waiting for it with anticipation. :)
I love Ali! I think she's truly grown into a woman.
She sounds totally grounded! Not to mention awesome. I think that if she decided to change jobs, it would be equally successful as her modelling, given that she comes off as being so calm and driven. Yay Ali!
thank you! Do you think you could do something on Edita Vilkeviciute please like no really please :P
she sounds so mature!
loved this interview so much.
I love Ali Micheal :)
Great interview! She seems really sweet
great great interview! she seems so so down to earth and very grounded. so good to see! what a beauty! and i hate she was a victim of the evil jealousy..how sad.
xxx love LM
extraordinary pretty girl! Her eyes and hair match perfectly. Almost like it isn't real...
She is just gorgeous.I do agree that girls should finish school firs and than start to model.That way you don't loose those precious years.
Whow! What a perfect and beautiful girl. American models seems to be more and more beautiful each year.
I like Ali very much. She is one of my favorite models. I liked the interview so much. Interesting and again very stimulating. Pony, once again you proved that you are no.1 fashion blogger!
Great photos...and I specially love the one with lolipop! She looks just adorable
She's definitely got one of the more memorable faces on the runway-- I did miss her this season.. hopefully she'll do the next FW..
Good Job PR! :-)
xx
V
I have to admit that I wasn't always a big fan of Miss Ali, but after reading this article, I have so much respect. She is a really wholesome lovely down to earth person, so sweet. Especially her comment about being with her horses early in the morning... so beautiful... i have linked the interview to my blog, http://www.debrisblanclaboritorium.blogspot.com
I love pony ryder
awww great interview, looove ali!!! she sounds so mature and very sweet & thoughtful :) ~XOXO, lulu ♥
i absolutely love her! Great interview.
this was absolutely fantastic :) thankyou!
She is so beautyful! I love your interviews :)
Ali is incredible, that lanvin add is too cute. She seems very fun and i like that she's real. Awesome interview, ryder! keep 'em coming :)
Amazing interview, a pleasure to read.
Great interview! Superb job as always!
xx
Absolutely impressive girl in all ways. I like the photos, especially first and second ones. Yes, second one is definitely my favorite. Great clothes, and she looks fabulous.
I liked reading the interview.It's amazing how such a young girl came a long way...reaching for the stars.
Lovely girl! She is destined to be famous! I love your interviews Pony.No.1 in the industry
Ali is one of my favorite American models. She has it all: looks, style, wits and charisma.
I also congratulate on your appearing in NY Magazine, Pony. It's really fascinating!!
I love Ali's attitude, it's really respectable that she still stayed strong despite being criticised by her friends. Go Ali!
i love ali M.
this little girl very nive~
oh, you do have blog!
ali is the most perfect model i ever saw. beautiful in person as she is on photos.
lovely to meet you pony. next time i expect you to stay longer in paris. bisous
Thank you for this. Very nice :]
I just read this for the second time and now I love her even more. For being such a young age, she definitely sounds incredibely mature. Go Ali!
she is gorgeous. it surprised me how sexy she actually is.
very pretty pics
lovely shots
top to bottom hot and sexy
good luck in future
GOD BLESS YOU
wonderful
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