Mode Around the Globe: Ava Michelle
@ava.michelle
Casa Velas Puerto Vallarta
www.hotelcasavelas.com
Photographed by Torrey West
How did you begin your career?
I started dancing professionally at age 10, which brought me out to Los Angeles quite a bit. Around age 13 I had an interest in modeling and acting. I was able to get signed with agents in LA and New York, and made the move from Michigan to LA.
How do you hope to inspire people through your social media platform? What can your followers expect to see when visiting your social media page(s)?
Being in the spotlight and on social media so young, I quickly became a victim of cyberbullying and body shaming. As a young girl this was really hard to understand. I have always hoped to create a safe and honest place for my followers and have tried to share my experiences to help others who may be going through something similar. It has been beautiful to watch us all grow and learn together!
What do you predict will be the biggest fashion trends this spring?
I think roses will be really popular this spring, patterns as well as rosettes. I’m also seeing a rise in A-line skirts which I love and am here for!
What was your favorite part about your stay at Casa Velas?
This was my first time to Puerto Vallarta, and I fell in love. Casa Velas was so beautiful and calming. The rooms were spacious and felt very private. The best part was the incredibly welcoming staff who, for me, made the stay so memorable.
Do you have any upcoming travel plans? If so, where?
Yes! I am going to New York for fashion week!
Are you an introvert or an extrovert?
Ah this is so hard. I love to be around people but I also love my alone time. I would say more of an extrovert but I think I find a balance between both.
What’s your go-to airport look? Essentials to pack in a carry on?
A cozy Identified Clothing sweat-set and a nice oversized tote bag. I have to have my AirPods Max’s, a book, my sajé essential oil set and lots of snacks!
Girls night in or Girls night out?
Girls night in. My go to is a cooking/baking night or a fun game night with the girls!
What’s a typical work week like for you? Any advice you have for staying productive throughout the week?
One word for my weeks would be, unpredictable. Being in the entertainment industry everything is so last minute and ever changing. My biggest piece of advice for people with a similar schedule is to find a routine in the things you can control. Things like meals, working out, journaling, cleaning etc. Creating a routine for these things, especially my mornings have helped me feel so much less anxious when trying to plan out my day. I also like to take a few minutes at night to write my schedule out for the week ahead or the next day.
What’s your current skincare routine? Any products you’d recommend for our Modeliste readers?
My skin is acne prone and I have struggled for about the past 5 years with getting my acne under control. It is an ongoing battle but my facialist, Jessica Martin, has helped me find products that are helping control my acne and keeping my skin healthy.
My skincare routine at the moment is:
Morning:
Gentle Cleanser – La Roche-Posay Cleanser Mist – Thesera Hydroglow Cell Ampoule Serum – Thesera 7.2 Revital Cell Ampule Moisturizer – Thesera Hydroglow Cell Cream Sunscreen – Elta MD or Beauty Of Joseon
Nightime:
Oil Cleansing – Farmacy Green Clean
Cleanser – La Roche-Posay Cleanser
Retinol (every other night) – Adapelene Gel or Tretinoin Mist – Thesera Hydroglow Cell Ampule
Serum – Cosrx Snail Mucin
Moisturizer – Thesera Hydroglow Cell Cream
What’s something your followers would be surprised to know about you?
LOVE to cook. My mom has always had me in the kitchen with her since I was young and I think in another life I’d be a chef!
What’s something your followers would be surprised to know about you?
LOVE to cook. My mom has always had me in the kitchen with her since I was young and I think in another life I’d be a chef!
Where do you gain inspiration for content? Any tips & tricks you’d like to share for those inspiring to have a career like your own?
For visual inspiration, I LOVE Pinterest. I love scrolling Pinterest for inspiration in place of scrolling social media. For acting I think one of the best gifts we have is the amount of films and shows at our fingertips. I love to watch old and new content to gain perspective and get inspired by what others are creating.
What makes you different from other content creators?
I think we are all different in our own ways. For me the platform has come with the passions I have and I am so grateful to have the support that I do. I try to take that with great responsibility and use my influence for the better. I own a non-profit organization, the Devon Michael Foundation, that I started after losing my brother to an accidental fentanyl poisoning about three years ago. I try to use my platform to amplify our message of education surrounding the fentanyl crisis and the importance of prioritizing mental health.
What would you like to say to your fans/followers?
I am so grateful for every single one of you. If you have a dream, go for it, no matter who tells you that you’re not enough. You are enough, and you have the power to create the life you’ve dreamt of!
