Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Manu
Hi Michael, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Growing up, I was obsessed with watching videos of fashion shows from the 1991 Versace F/W to Victoria’s Secret shows, and to the fashion shows of today (recently I have been obsessed with Alex Consani and all of the shows she has recently walked in). I always knew that fashion is what I wanted to be in along with knowing that California (specifically the LA area) was where I needed to be after high school. As I got closer to leaving high school, I started to appreciate my features that I felt insecure about prior. As a result, after committing to a college in California, I decided I wanted to become a model. Right before packing up a majority of my clothes and moving across the country, I started an instagram to debut to the world my dream of being a fashion model as simply as wearing clothes that I love and that I felt good in. Now, after being in college in California for almost 4 months, I couldn’t be more confident and excited about who I am and how I look.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I often felt misunderstood when growing up. A part of this feeling was often about how I felt I looked. My features were always sharper than others, and I never saw their true potential along with my height until towards the end of high school. It took a lot of internal changes until I finally saw myself as someone beyond “other”. Nevertheless, I am happy with where I am and of the road of social media that I am now on, and excited to see what I achieve with future fashion and modeling opportunities.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Besides being a university student at the University of California Santa Barbara, I am working towards becoming a model (my dream is to be a runway and print model). I currently post on social media in a variety of outfits that I wear in my everyday life, such as going-out outfits and outfits for class. While posting what I wear, I make sure to tag the brands and clothing items that are featured in each post. On my college campus, I am often known for being confident in what I wear, and my versatility in what I wear. This versatility is something that I am extremely proud of and what sets me apart, as I like to wear clothing of feminine and masculine silhouettes and designs, which I believe will further help me in the future in the sphere of fashion and modeling.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
In the next 5-10 years I believe the fashion industry will continue in the direction of mixed-gendered silhouettes, while further revamping traditional and timeless shapes and designs in a new way, an example being mixing more preppy designs (polo shirts, plaid designs, knit-wear sweaters and cardigans, etc) with alternative pieces (such as blocky sneakers and leather boots). I think a challenge that these designers will face is how to maintain sustainability in consumers along with the materials used as the current trend cycle has been currently moving faster than ever-before. In addition, I believe that there will be an influx of new faces seen within the industry as the younger-end of gen-z begins to enter into media and the industry.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: _michaelmanu
