Today we’d like to introduce you to Erika Bardere.
Hi Erika, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I started modeling a little over 10 years ago when I was selected to be in a runway fashion show at school. At the time it just seemed like something fun and new, but I wasn’t actively pursuing becoming a model yet. Since I was very little, I always imagined that I would go into professional acting and spent much of my school years in theater classes. For the first few years after that runway show, the friends I knew who were or wanted to be photographers would ask to shoot me for their portfolio, which I did as a favor to support them. Once there were a collection of images of me modeling, I started receiving Instagram messages from others that were asking to book me.
From there, I fell into the world of modeling. I really enjoyed the energy of being on a set, so I started applying for as many gigs as I was able to. In 2019, I submitted myself to a modeling camp in New York that was ran by one of my favorite supermodels of all time, Coco Rocha. To my surprise, I woke up soon afterwards with a message on my Instagram from Coco herself, inviting me to come to stay at her home in New York and be one of her mentees. I was beyond excited! With my family’s support, who knew how much this meant to me, they ensured that I was able to go after this opportunity! Working with one of the best supermodels in the industry was truly something I could never forget. The knowledge I gained, not just about being a better model, but how to be a smarter model in an industry that is very challenging, was extremely invaluable!
The following year, I would have never imagined that the world would shut down. The time away definitely sparked a bigger flame to really dive deeper in the next chapter of my modeling. Being able to immerse myself in something that I love, has shown itself to be so much more important than ever before. By turning what was once a hobby into a truly committed and long-term vision, I feel that I have been able to empower myself in a new way and I hope that the energy I give to what I do can help inspire someone else to pursue their passion as well.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I am not sure if any model truly has a smooth road, because every day and every job is such a new experience. It really does take time to understand what you want from your art, because if you do not figure this out, you will only be what other people make you to be. The hardest parts are often relying on the unknown. In the beginning, I had to learn how to choose the right people to work with who will represent me well in my art, value my opinions, and truly be a supportive co-creator. Sometimes you don’t get the callback, sometimes you reach out to work with people and get no response, or you’re on-set and things may not go as planned. Being able to adapt and stay positive is crucial. It was also hard at times when I would have an agent refer me to castings in LA, when I lived 2 hours away, and they needed me to be there in 3 hours, but I was at work. Work and distance were constant obstacles that I faced, until I was able to have more control of my schedule.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As a creative, I have often said that I see art in anything. I truly believe artistic people cannot help but to show that trait in multiple ways, because it is how we express ourselves and go about our lives. Of course, being a model, I do find myself as a lover of fashion and my friends figured that out about me before I had truly realized it myself. In addition to being somewhat known for my fashion sense, I am also known by one of my other great passions, which is being a cirque aerialist. Since this is a very small community of people and somewhat of an odd and unexpected talent, it also has helped me become more memorable to others. I began training as an aerialist in early 2014 by accidentally seeing lessons near me when I was searching for a yoga studio in LA. Once I took my first aerial yoga class, I knew I was going to be addicted and soon after started training several other aerial disciplines, such as aerial silks, aerial lyra (hoop), static trapeze, and more!
After a couple of years, I started combining both of my passions and creating my own aerial photoshoots. This opened up a whole new world of modeling for me, because I became so much more aware of my body, angles, and details down to my fingertips. I truly believe aerial was one of the best things to find me and take me in.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Throughout my life, there were so many things I wanted to do that I felt like I was unable to do, because I had to rely on others to help me to do it when I was young. Once I was able to make my own choices, take myself to what I wanted to do, and give as much time as I could, I felt so much more fulfilled. I used to believe that many hobbies needed to begin at a very early age, but by the time I realized them, I would think it was too late to start.
Fortunately, I have learned that could not be further from the truth. People often would say, “it’s never too late,” but it was hard to believe that for a while, because I never saw others beginning later, so I didn’t have examples or I was unaware of them at the time. When I started modeling, it was not because I was pursuing it, it was because others saw something in me that I wasn’t thinking about. When I started aerial, it wasn’t because I was looking for it, it’s because it showed itself to me. There are things I learned in both of those fields that I never knew I could do, but the love for both kept me consistent enough to level up my skills. All it took was giving it time. It didn’t matter when I started, it only mattered that I never stopped. That’s all I needed to know and I hope to be someone else’s example in that way.
Contact Info:
- Email: erikabardere@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/ErikaBardere | www.instagram.com/e.thereal.e/
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/ErikaBardereOfficial
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/c/ErikaBardere
Image Credits
Erika Bardere
Coco Rocha (@cocorocha)
@nicksuarezphoto
@danthony_photography
@laurent.legeradame
@tlewisphotography
@_EddieFrank
@EdZabelPhotography
@elli_lauren
