Today we’d like to introduce you to Aleena Bascon.
Aleena, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I grew up in Paradise Hills, then moved to Chula Vista. After high school, I knew I didn’t want to go to college right away. I decided to take the opportunity to move to Barrow, Alaska. Living in Alaska gave me such an outside perspective on life. It humbled me down, & really made me appreciate the nature that surrounds us all.
After Alaska, I separated from my twin sister Crystal for the first time. I was now living in Washington State with my godmother who is a photographer. I remember a few people telling me I should model, & of course looking in the mirror I had self-doubt. I was only 19 at the time. My godmother shot my first shoot. It was such a fun experience but of course, at the time I wasn’t too confident in front of the camera. It was about two years later when my sister and I decided to model for local photographers here in San Diego.
At this time we were living in Hillcrest in a small apartment. We were getting consistent projects. It wasn’t till I shot with Alberto Figueroa my now current boyfriend. That I really started feeling fluid in front of the camera, I felt so comfortable in my own skin. We continued to grow from each other. I had the opportunity to be in a runway fashion show for Julian Klincewicz at the Art Institute of San Diego, & let me tell ya I was pretty nervous. But it was by far one of the funnest experiences. I was now 22 & got the opportunity to fly out to Mexico City to be in a runway fashion show for an amazing brand called Ready To Die, created by Esteban Tamayo. I was also able to meet inspiring people local to Mexico City. Maria Osado, who owns a modeling agency called @guerxs & I can’t forget Adrian a local photographer/tattoo artist in DF.
That fashion show was ft. on I-D Mexico & Vogue Mexico. I still can’t believe it. I also forgot to mention that before any of this I have to thank Bellus Academy for always believing in me, I actually started off being a hair & makeup model. Without them, I wouldn’t have got this far. I had told myself that I wanted to continue to grow as a model, not for fame or anything like that. But because I love Modeling I love being able to express myself through clothing, or through my expressions. 6 months ago I found out that I was expecting, I knew then that I still wanted to model no matter what. Because I want my daughter to know that even though obstacles come your way. That shouldn’t hold you back on believing in yourself, and to continue to chase your dreams.
I recently got signed with an Offshore Agency based out of New York, giving a little shout out to Moja Robinson, for also believing in me & Michael Rotimi, founder of Offshore for signing me even though I’m expecting. I feel like this is just the beginning of my modeling career. I will be living in Los Angeles pretty soon. But San Diego had really brought me so many opportunities and the art community here in San Diego is incredible. I want to thank everyone including my family at Por Vida in Barrio Logan. Friends from Weird Hues, & The Travelers Club. Most of all my family for always supporting me. My twin sister Crystal for being on this journey with me. To new beginnings & a new chapter that has yet to come.
Has it been a smooth road?
In the Fashion Industry, you see mostly European looks, tall skinny women. Not that I have anything against these beautiful women but, I’m the opposite. I’m Mexican, Filipino & Puerto Rican. I’m about 5’4 and I have tattoos.
Totally not your average model. But I love myself I am by far thankful for how I look & where I came from. I am now 6 months pregnant & still pursuing one of my dreams of being a model. Balancing school & work is a challenge.
Because I want to graduate & I work for the cannabis industry which sometimes is looked down upon but I fully support medical cannabis.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the aleenaflowers story. Tell us more about the business.
I am proud to be a local model here in San Diego with all the obstacles I’ve been through.
Where do you see your industry going over the next 5-10 years? Any big shifts, changes, trends, etc?
Wow 5 years from now! My baby girl will be 5 years old lol and I hope that I have my bachelors degree in Psychology with a Minor in Philosophy. I hope to still be apart of the fashion industry model or not I want to continue being an artist. I don’t think that’ll ever go away.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 6194953858
- Email: aleena_mariee@live.com
- Instagram: aleenaflowers
Image Credit:
@albertofigueroa_, @moisesnotmoses, @aaaeeeffflll, @virgo.visuals
Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
