Hailing all the way from the NY; Rosemarie started off doing a modeling convention in Miami, FL around the age of 10 where she received many offers, ultimately deciding to take a break to focus on school. She then did some free lance modeling her senior year of high school and started with Atlanta Fashion Week. Upon her entrance into college she began walking in fashion shows show for Clark Atlanta University and Georgia State University. 20 years old, or 20 years “young” as she puts it; this up and coming talent as the world at her feet and she is ready to jump! Read the exclusive interview below:
How old are you and where are you from?
I am 20 yrs young and I was born in Brooklyn, NY and raised in Atlanta, GA.
What is your ethnic background?
Oh wow….I’m a mutt lol. Let’s see….I’m Jamaican, Chinese, and Indian from my mother’s side; Panamanian and white from my father’s side.
How did you start modeling?
I started off doing a modeling convention in Miami, FL when I was around the age of 10 and got about 7 out of 21 agencies who wanted to sign me but when I got back to Atlanta I decided to took a break from it all because of school. Then I did some free lance modeling in when I got into senior year of high school. I started with Atlanta Fashion Week. When I graduated I started to do the Fashion show for Clark Atlanta University but I opted out because of their dance team. Then I got into Georgia State University’s Fashion show and did that one, had the best time by the way! I networked a lot in Atlanta and got some great photo shoots from some great photographers like TY Xavier Weldon and Elvis Piedra.
What was your first big break in the industry?
My first big break was when I moved to Los Angeles, CA and got signed with Click Models of LA in February.
What has been your favorite job so far?
I’ve only been on four fantastic jobs so far and they’ve all been with the famous photographer Bruce Weber. My favorite would have to be the Moncler Fall 2012 Campaign shoot I did with Bruce.
When you’re not busy modeling, what are some of your favorite things to do?
Oooooo shop (I’m a shoe fanatic!!), dance, go to the beach to soak up some sun, and hang with friends when we can.
“Fashion represents cultures, ethnicities, diversity, time periods, religion, etc.”
What is a flaw that you think you have and how do you make it beautiful?
My shyness is my flaw. I really have to pull out my outgoing side majority of the time. However, I try my best to use it as endurance when it comes to my shoots, casting calls, or networking. I have to remind myself “Now Rosie, c’mon! You know you’re going to regret this later for not going through with it.”
I am in love with this hair! What made you decide to cut it?
I cut it, myself, short like Halle Berry just to try something new. After a while I wanted something new and I got it cut into a Mohawk. Then when I did a photo shoot with Angus Mitchell, Paul Mitchell’s son, I let him cut my hair anyway he wanted and he gave me this diagonal, high top fade and bleached my hair platinum blonde. When I got signed I had to dye it back black and my hair turned a navy blue which was hilarious but I re-dyed it again and it went back black. I just kept it as a high top fade, almost like Grace Jones look.
How would you describe your personal style?
My style is more of a dressy casual. I really don’t stick to one style. I love the punk rock vintage style and neon colors too…. Yet I have a thing for Asian styles and kimonos (yea I’m a weirdo…haha). I’m a little bit of everywhere.
Why do you think that it is important to have your own sense of style, and how important is fashion to you?
Your own sense of style allows you to express yourself in our own way, creatively. Fashion is important to me because it allows me to express myself. It helps me define who I am what I like and it helps me bring out my more confident side. Fashion represents cultures, ethnicities, diversity, time periods, religion, etc.
“Hmmmm…what makes me feel beautiful…. myself, my personality, and who I’ve became over the years.”
Who are your favorite designers? Would you like to work with them and why?
Ohhhh yesss…. there are sooo many! Herve Leger, Guess by Marciano, Dean and Dan Caten who designs DSquared, Alexander McQueen, Christian Louboutin, Michael Antonio, Alain Quilici, Victoria Spruce, United Nude, Jeffrey Campbell, Stephane Rolland, Mikoh, Edoardo and Adele Fendi, Giorgio Armani, Ralph Lauren, Marc Jacobs, Christian Dior, Frida Giannini (Gucci), Givenchy, Valentino Garavani, Coco Chanel, and Donatella Versace. (Sorry if that’s too much)
Who is your favorite model of all time and why?
OMG Iman Abdulmajid aka IMAN! If you don’t know who she is you must Google her right now and research her work!! This woman is beyond beautiful and she’s super humble from what I’ve read and hear about her. She is a supermodel in her 50s and still putting out explicit work and I idolize her.
What is one item from your closet that you cannot live without?
Two things: My brown snow boots that I’ve had for about 2-3 years and my ivory nightwalk Jeffrey Campbells.
What is your beauty essential?
Eye Liner. It’s about the only thing I wear outside of modeling, other than carmex which is the absolute best!!!
What is your favorite part of modeling?
Hmmmm…. traveling and the hotels lol. Even though I’ve only been in the U.S I love the places I’ve been so far. The second week of June I will be traveling to London for my first international shoot. (Beyond Excited!!)
“Yes, there is a lack of diversity on the runways. You see majority different ethnicities of Caucasians and Asians’ but only a few different ethnicities of African Americans.”
What do you hope to be doing in five years?
Modeling and in school to earn my Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine.
Did you attend LA. Fashion Week events? If not, do you hope to one day and why do you think it is important?
Unfortunately, I didn’t. I do hope and plan to experience LA Fashion Week, but I plan to be in NY Fashion in the future because it’s a lot bigger and more worldwide designers take part of or attend NY Fashion Week. Both are great shows to network and experience.
What makes you feel beautiful?
Hmmmm…what makes me feel beautiful…. myself, my personality, and who I’ve became over the years.
What is on your iPod/Mp3?
Everything….from Alternative Rock, Pop, Rap, Hip-Hop, and R&B. I haven’t updated my phone in about a month. I have to add some house and dub step on here. My purple iPod died because my little sister, Reese- Ann, drowned it, bad butt lol.
I know your dorm room was stocked back in the day lol! What is your fave food?
Haha yess! My dorm stayed with food at CAU. My all time favorite food is Jamaican food. I absolutely cannot live without my Jamaican food. Plus, I’m a very picky eater and all I grew up on was Jamaican cooking.
It seems like more people are talking about diversity — or lack thereof — on the runways. What are your thoughts?
Yes, there is a lack of diversity on the runways. You see majority different ethnicities of Caucasians and Asians’ but only a few different ethnicities of African Americans.
If you weren’t a model, what would you want to do?
Become a veterinarian/ dancer.
Do you have any advice for aspiring models or younger girls in general?
To all my beautiful girls, young ladies, and women:
Modeling isn’t something that will happen overnight. It is very hard work and it takes determination & dedication. If you really want it go for it, but fair warning be prepared for competition with every model you will ever come across. It’s very competitive and you have to know how to take criticism well. Be prepared to also give up a lot of your usual routines when it comes to this industry. Keep an open mind and stay humble, don’t let this industry swallow you and change you. Always remember where you came from. Keep a strong head and a strong heart, this is a tough world and no one will baby you. Last, but the most important, remember no one can judge you but god himself and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
Love Always, Rosemarie Lewis
Do you remember back a little while ago when the creator of “Red Bottoms”, Christian Louboutin sued Yves Saint Laurent a red shoe that was featured in one of YSL’s spring collections? Well now the famed shoe designer was at it again, this time with nationwide retailer; Zara. Some of you may not know of the store. Even in Lenox Mall in Atlanta the store is tucked aways in a cozy little corner.
hotpinkblazer 
