Meet Alexandra Giselle Flores

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexandra Giselle Flores.

Alexandra, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Everything I am, or ever will be, is all because of my family and where I come from. I am the immensely proud daughter of an artist and the granddaughter of a former Mayor of the San Fernando Valley. My family has helped to pave the way for me, my siblings, and cousins, and have shown us all what hard work, love, passion, and dedication look like. And for that, I am eternally grateful.

I began my career at eight years old, after being scouted at a local mall. I signed with an Agency called Colleen Cler, for their commercial and print division. It was such an amazing time, and I got to work with and learn from some of the best in the industry, but by 15 years old I decided to take a bit of a break. I wanted to have a “normal high school experience,” without always being pulled out for auditions or missing whole days for work.

I made a deal with my parents that if I was going to give up modeling and acting, then I would agree to join some sort of extracurricular activities. School was already challenging enough, so I decided to do the things I knew I would excel in; basically anything in the arts. I “auditioned” to be part of my high school’s television news network team “SNN” (Saugus News Network), took all the art classes I could take, and got accepted to be part of our literary magazine club. I ended up graduating high school with special honors in the arts and television broadcasting.

From there, I decided to spread my wings even further, and enrolled at M.U.D. Make-Up Designory, in Burbank California, to take their “Master Program” which entailed everything from beauty, character, prosthetics, and special effects makeup. Makeup has always been a passion of mine, ever since I can remember. And being able to fully embrace myself as an artist while learning from the best in the industry, was such a liberating and freeing feeling.

And working as a professional makeup artist for the last ten years has been such a surreal feeling. But then life also happened. I fell in love with my best friend, got engaged, and got married. I was ecstatic! But not long after the wedding, my grandparent’s Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia had progressed to a point where they seriously needed extra care, even though they were refusing it.

So, to help ease the tension and ultimate transition, I offered to check in on them three times a week, while my parents would care for them on the weekends. After a few years of this, and some seriously scary AF close-calls, they finally agreed to move in with my parents so that they could have round the clock care, between myself during the days and my parents when they would come home from work and on weekends.

It was a tricky time career-wise because everything sort of inadvertently got put on hold, while I helped care for my grandparents. Not that I’m complaining at all. I wouldn’t trade the six years I had with my grandparents for anything in this world. It was not easy (like, at all) and was *extremely emotionally draining* at times, but I got to know, appreciate, and learn to love them on an entirely new level, and that is something I will forever cherish to my core.

It also wasn’t lost upon me, the entire “full-circle” moment, of the privilege and honor of helping to care for them, when they had helped care for my siblings and I when we were younger. My family and I tried for as long as we could to care for and honor my grandparent’s last wishes, but their diseases had gotten to the point where they needed much better care than my parents or I could ever provide. Not long after my grandfather went into the nursing home, he passed away.

Thankfully, the staff at the nursing home where my grandmother remains, has done a tremendous job in caring for my grandparents, and for that I am forever thankful. Also during this time, I became gravely ill from my first pregnancy. I was diagnosed with “HG” Hyperemesis Gravidarum, which is extreme “morning sickness.” But it was so much more than that. It was 24/7 sickness and being hospitalized for six weeks, where I, unfortunately, suffered a horrific miscarriage.

To say that I was completely broken is an understatement. There are no words for how I felt at that time. I wound up being diagnosed with PTSD, Anxiety, Depression and Postpartum Depression. Needless to say, the last ten years have been “colorful” for me, *especially the last four*. But that’s not to say that it’s all bad. Because it’s absolutely not. Had life not happened to me, had it not been “colorful,” I wouldn’t have found and grown myself as an artist. It was almost eight months before I had the strength to do anything creative at all. But I did. And it allowed myself to be honest and vulnerable for the first time.

Through the help of my amazing team of doctors and therapists, they encouraged me to channel my pain the best way I knew how which was to create. So I did. I found amazing artists/friends who were willing to hear my story and make art with me. It put me back behind and in front of the camera, but in an honest way. Because I was lost. And I knew it. And for the first time, I wasn’t ashamed of it. In being lost, I found myself again. It was strangely liberating to go through all those phases of myself.

Because all those phases, ultimately lead me back to doing what I love. Which is constantly creating. In the last two years alone, I’ve grown immensely in my career’s. I’m proudly part of two insanely talented artist collectives, and earlier this year, I signed with my first modeling agency, something I haven’t done since I was 15!!

Just within the last year, I’ve gotten to work with some amazing brands, as a model, makeup artist, and hairstylist! Modeling, Makeup, and Hair have always been such a monumental part of my life, and I finally feel like I’m at a point in my career’s where I truly feel like the world is my oyster and anything is possible for me. To quote Paulo Coelho “And, when you want something, the universe conspires in helping you achieve it.” I’ve never felt more excited for the endless possibilities my future holds.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
There have definitely been some major struggles along the way, as I suspect there will be many more (this is •life• after all). However, I’ve learned to change my perspective and am beginning to see and appreciate the struggles as “stepping stones” instead of “roadblocks”, to where I want to go.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Alexandra Giselle – what should we know?
I am a professional Model, Makeup Artist, and Hairstylist, who can also style and act as a creative director in a pinch! When you work with me, you get the whole package. I absolutely ADORE being on set, regardless if I’m talent or part of the crew!! I always give my blood, sweat, and tears to every project I’m a part of. And I love it!!

Some of the project’s I’m most proud of, are basically anytime I get to work with Alexis Thurston of Pulp Riot at the famous Butterflyloft Salon!! Pulp Riot is such a stellar company to work with! I just recently had the opprotunity to walk in their Faction8 Hair show at the Avalon in Hollywood, and it was one of the most exhilarating moments of my career. It is forever honor and privilege!

My other pride and joy is more of a combination of projects rather than just one in particular, but this year is the year I’ve gotten the most publishings for magazines! It’s been such a humbling experience every time I get picked up for my artistry, be it for makeup and hair or modeling. It’s been such a whirlwind and honor.

I also have an up coming Artists Showcase December 19th, for RAW Artists of Los Angels for their Holiday RAWk Event! You can come see me live on stage, presenting a few of my famous Makeup Looks, while also catching other phenomenally talented artists! You can purchase tickets here http://rawartists.org/alexandragiselle

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My number one supporter first and foremost will forever be my husband. We just celebrated seven years of marriage and ten years of being together, so he quite literally has been with me through the entirety of all that life has provided for me thus far, and without his constant love and everlasting support, I would be so lost. He is truly my everything; the most handsome, and loving man, and I thank the Universe every day for bringing us together ten years ago.

Secondly my parents. My parents are absolute Angel’s for putting up with me and just always loving my siblings and I, so unconditionally effing much. From day one they’ve encouraged me to pursue my dreams. I feel beyond blessed when it comes to them, and I am so grateful that I wound up lucky enough to have such amazing parents.

Lastly, the yin to my yang, Photographer Brienne Michelle. She has been such a monumental part of my journey for the last four years, that without her love, friendship, and creative spark, I wouldn’t be where I am today. If you look back at the bulk of my early work, she is everywhere with me. Even though she mainly shoots weddings and family portraits, she is truly an artist in every sense of the word in her own right.

To this day, we continue to work together and find ways to stay creatively inspired.

Brienne has shot me in everything from beautiful milk baths, to underwater magic, to surreal abstract portraits. Brienne does it all. She understands me as a human being, respects me as an artist, and loves me as a friend. She is absolutely phenomenal. And I love her more than she knows!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://elegancebyalex.wixsite.com/modelalexflores 
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexandra_giselle_/
• Other: http://elegancebyalex.wixsite.com/alexfloresmua

Image Credit:
Brienne Michelle, Ella DeGea, Katie Winkenhower, Alexia Castillo

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