Models from the DMV come in all shapes and size. Dana J is an aspiring model out of Washington DC who graduated from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University with a degree in Fashion Merchandising and Design. When not strutting her stuff down the runway she is a stylist and a blogger. DMVUnplugged.com caught up with the woman and spoke to her about her modeling career, fun times this summer, what she likes in a man and her aspirations.

DMV: So let me start off by asking if you had an opportunity to meet one person in history who would it be?
D: It would have to be CoCo Chanel. The story of how she got into the fashion world is just very interesting and a little scandalous. She crossed boundary lines in the fashion world by having menswear-inspired fashion. She was a huge fashion figure in the 20th century.

DMV: So how long have you been modeling in the DMV area?
D: I have only been modeling in the DMV area for about 1 year and a 1/2.

DMV: You have a pretty young modeling career, what types of modeling gigs have you been apart of?
D: In college the list goes on and on and on….but to name a few I did Modeling Troupe Competitions, I was a contestant for NC A&T’s Next Top Model, and Homecoming and Spring fashion shows at A&T. In DC I have modeled for club fashion shows…to name a few, 4All Fashion, Art is Life Movement, Fuqwon Diamonds photoshoot, and DC Fashion Week 2008. I have modeled for two local photographers, both being females, Indya Wright and Lawrencia Taylor. I have also modeled for one male photographer named Ron Marcelo.

DMV: So have you done anything with any local designers; whose your favorite?
D: It would have to be Tenisha and her line is called T Simone. Her clothing is amazing! Her clothing is so well put together. I was a fashion major in college so the way a piece is stitched and put together means a lot to me. I think she really pays attention to detail.

DMV: What are the difficulties you’ve faced while working in this industry?
D: Some people are very critical. I am not the typical height of a runway model but I can say that I can sometimes out walk one and that is what I believe. *smile* DC Fashion Week was a true eye opener especially with my hair and the fact that I liked to wear my hair curly. I didn’t get picked for many scenes, but I just brushed it off like, thanks for the opportunity and free pictures. LOL. I am not going to totally bash the whole experience, but they were critical with a lot of things.

DMV: I’m going to kinda change up this interview to get to know you a little better outside of modeling. You seem to be a bit reserved, I’m sure you have another side. What’s one crazy thing you did this summer?
D: This can not be talked about…….ATL is all I can say….LOL!

DMV: Uh oh, share with us what happened in ATL, we want to know.
D: I really honestly can’t go into too much detail (the person involved could very well be reading along), but it was a night out on the town that turned into something a little more than it should, but a night that I will never forget and lessons were learned in more ways than one. It is something I can definitely now sit back and just giggle about.

DMV: Aight, aight I won’t pressure you to give us more. So what is the most creative thing a guy has said or done to approach you?
D: The most creative thing a guy has said to me to get my attention is to act like they need help with something, for example this guy somehow got me to come over to his car and he was acting as if he was asking for directions, but in the end he was really trying to get at me. I laughed so hard once I realized what he was doing and just told him no thanks because of course he was an older man, which is a usual problem I run into unfortunately and that is just a huge NO-NO for me.

DMV: So we know that you don’t like older men so tell us this then, what qualities do you find sexiest in your significant other?
D: HAHA! This question is funny and who said I had a significant other. *wink* Well what I find to be the sexiest in a significant other is the whole attitude, swagg as everyone else says. The person has to be intelligent, have some style, attractive to me because everyones attractive is different; motivating, inspiring, caring, a person that has goals in life and a person that I can hold a pretty good conversation with because some guys don’t have anything to talk about that I really want to listen to and I’m just being honest.

DMV: Ok so since we’re being honest what do you think is the biggest misconception about you?
D: People assume that I am stuck up sometimes before they even meet me or even had a conversation with me. I like to dress so some of the assumptions are that I am swimming in all this money, but honestly I can say that I am a bargain shopper and I get pretty lucky with a lot of stuff that I buy. I do have my periodic splurges, but who doesn’t, we all have to spoil ourselves sometimes.

DMV: Speaking of shopping, since you’re such the stylist what do you think is this season’s must-have fashion item?
D: Knee high boots….A MUST HAVE!

DMV: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
D: I see myself living in New York as a stylist or visual merchandiser. This is my dream and what I am shooting for. Hopefully this occurs sooner than 5 years from now.

DMV: Before you leave do you have any advice for the up and coming models in the DMV area?
D: I would say shoot for the stars because that is all you can do. I can’t necessarily say I have had anything negative said to me about me modeling, but I can say shoot for your dreams no matter what. Definitely be an outgoing person and be willing to network and meet other people. You never know who someone knows and how they can help you out.

Dana J also runs her own blog titled “The Diary of Franky J” at http://thediaryoffrankyj.blogspot.com

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