Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Dunham.
Laura, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Hi! I am a model and student at The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising here in Downtown Los Angeles. While I’m not native to LA (I moved out here last summer), I feel like I’ve found my for sure path and plan to plant my roots here. Growing up, I was a self-described tomboy, my interests were in dirt bikes, rock music, skateboarding, and I absolutely hated anything that was girly. Looking back, this is incredibly ironic now given the fact that my biggest passion is expressing myself through fashion and my favorite color is pink.
I’m gonna get real here for a second as I feel its important to my story. I had an incredibly random and traumatic event happen to me when I was 11. It left me with problems that I did not know how to handle as I was so young. I isolated myself, had a hard time fitting in and feeling “normal”, and developed self-destructive behaviors. I dealt with post-traumatic stress disorder and never was able to see my future in a positive light. In middle school, I attempted suicide twice, and it was a long hard road to recover and assimilate back into the school system. I truly never thought I’d stay alive to be where I am today, and I am endlessly grateful that life had a bigger plan for me and that I’m still here to live it out and enjoy all the good, and the bad that I have experienced since.
It wasn’t until high school when my life took a positive turn. My high school was very alternative and allowed me to explore creativity in a way I never had before. I took classes like guitar making, screen printing, photography, and art history which blossomed my infatuation with the arts. My aunt helped establish love and appreciation for fashion as an art form. She would give me all her old Vogue magazines and introduced me to iconic supermodels who remained my idols to this day. I used to struggle with my appearance and went through many phases trying to find what styles felt like “me.” To this day, I find that being fluid with my personal style and not limiting myself to a certain aesthetic is what feels best. I started to surround myself with other like-minded creative people, and for the first time in my life, I felt like I had a place in the world. Early in my senior year of high school an accomplished young photographer from my school reached out and asked if she could shoot me. I had never modeled or even thought I was good enough to do such a thing so while I was incredibly flattered, I was also scared out of my mind.
The day of the shoot came. My mom did my hair, I did my makeup myself and I worked up every bit of courage I could to go into the shoot feeling as confident as I could despite my anxiety. The craziest thing happened that shoot and I’ll never forget how I felt in that moment. Once I was in front of the camera all my anxieties and insecurities drifted away. I was in my element and had the time of my life. I realized modeling is also an art form in itself and decided from that moment that it would be something I would pursue no matter what.
Following that first photo shoot, I just happened to be in the right place at the right time to meet a now dear friend and mentor of mine who helped me make my “break” into the local scene of creatives who I’ve been working with and growing with to this day. I truly believe that it’s not what you have but who you know that will take you where you are meant to go. By growing my network and saying yes to any opportunity that came my way, no matter how daunting or out of my league it seemed I was able to grow a solid portfolio that came naturally. Before I knew it, I was doing photoshoots on a weekly basis and used each opportunity to network, learn from the other models, and grow more and more confidence.
I’m only 5’5″, I have tattoos, and I had no early experience that would shape me into a model, I found a way to overcome what makes me “unconventional” in the modeling industry and make it work. I want people to know that you can absolutely break any boundaries in life and make a place for yourself. Ignore what people may say is impossible and keep going after your goals. I’ve had many people say this would be a temporary thing which actually pushed me to prove them wrong.
Present-day, I have had my work published in magazines, starred in a music video, and got signed to a modeling agency. These are all things I never dreamed would ever happen to me, someone with so many imperfections and past struggles that made this dream becoming a reality seems absolutely impossible. But it is possible, and it’s my imperfections that set me apart, and everything I have been through has gifted me with the ability to really touch in on emotions to be expressive and authentic while doing photo shoots. Los Angeles has surrounded me with some of the most talented and creative people I’ve ever known, this city constantly inspires me and makes me want to keep following my dreams and never limit myself or my abilities. In the future, I hope to model internationally for as long as possible and then pursue creative direction thanks to all of the real-world experience and knowledge I gain with each shoot I have done and will do.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
This has definitely not been a smooth road, but is anything really ever a smooth road?
I believe it’s the bumps along the road that shake you into the person you are meant to be. Every set back is an opportunity to grow and gain wisdom along the way.
While feeling alone, insecure, or discouraged is something we all deal with it is still hard to talk about and can be stigmatized in our society. I think it’s important we all check in on each other because you never know how impactful your words can be on others.
Being transparent about my past and what I went through with others is something that I prioritize in my life. I try to break the stigma that surrounds mental illness because at the end of the day, we are all going through something and being real with each other rather than putting on a persona to appear as though you have it all together helps to form deeper connections and realize that none of us are alone in what we go through.
My own personal struggles with PTSD and everything that I went through in my darkest moments and the struggle it took to overcome the darkness is something I can now look back and be grateful for. It made me who I am today and I am proud of how far I have come.
The hardest times of our lives are temporary, and no matter how bad it may seem at the moment it is important to know that better days are to come. We all have a path and need to trust that the hard things we go through will build strength and character that can ultimately make you into a better person and better prepare you for what’s next. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help if you need it. Don’t be afraid to check in on your friends if you even have the slightest feeling that they may be struggling. We only have each other to get through this crazy thing called life and should always be willing to help one another.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I am a model that primarily does editorial work, however, I don’t like to limit myself and am always open to other areas within modeling. I am most proud of how I have overcome certain stereotypes of what a model is. I think that beauty comes in all shapes, sizes, and backgrounds and that we shouldn’t limit ourselves to conventional beauty standards.
Aside from modeling, I am a full-time student at The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising where I recently graduated with my associates in visual communications and am now pursuing a bachelors in design.
On the side of being a model and student, I also am a Twitch streamer where I play video games and interact live with my community on the platform. I’ve always been a nerd on the down low and love how Twitch has been a platform for me to express that side of myself.
What’s the most important piece of advice you could give to a young woman just starting her career?
You are capable of anything and everything you put your mind to. Don’t be afraid to fail. Failure is normal and not something to put yourself down about or give up on a dream because of. Instead of feeling down on it you should learn from mistakes and use that lesson to keep moving forward and grow from.
Also, girls supporting girls is so so important!! We should all be lifting each other up with love and support rather than tear each other down over jealousy. There’s enough room for all of us to shine!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.glaciermodelmanagement.com/laurad
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauraleighdunham/
Image Credit:
Natasha Hayes, Claire Jantzen, Monique Wooley, Kevin Sichoumphonh
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