Mode Around the Globe: Dakota Michael West

Dakota Michael West
@dakotamichaelwest

THE LITTLE NELLAdd New
www.thelittlenell.com
@thelittlenell
Aspen, Colorado

Photographed by JANA SCHUESSLER @janaschuessler
Videography by HANNAH LEITSCH @haley_shot_it

How did you begin your career? 
I started modeling kind of by accident while I was at college in Miami. A photographer asked me to fill in for a model that backed out of an editorial last minute; I guess we had a similar look. I loved it and started doing it on the side. I wanted to get more into acting so I moved out to LA and booked my first national commercial three months later. Social media was really just an outlet and a way to share my work, it’s kind of just evolved with me.

How do you hope to influence people through your social media platform? What can people expect to see when visiting your social media page(s)?
On my stories, mostly all the random thoughts that come to me, and a lot of my dogs—I’m obsessed with them. But, I hope people see it as somewhere they’re not being sold or influenced. I’m very selective about brand deals and I’d never promote something that I wouldn’t actually use. For me, I just want to share my life and what works for me. If people relate to it, even better.

What do you predict will be the biggest trends of this Spring/Summer season?
I think a lot of denim and everything western which I’m so here for. My family is from Colorado and I grew up in the south so I’ve been on the coastal cowgirl trend my whole life. I used to get made fun of for wearing cowboy boots so I love that they’re in now.

Any upcoming travel plans you’re looking forward to?
I’m going to Italy with some girlfriends this summer! We’re going to do Capri, Positano, and Amalfi. I’ll probably go to Costa Rica again for another ayahuasca ceremony as well. I had such an amazing experience and I want to make it a yearly thing.

Favorite brands and places to shop for your favorite Summer looks?
I like Meshki and Oh Polly for sexy and fun, Jagger and Stone for a little more edge. I also just discovered this brand Rahi, which is all made to order so they cut down on waste. Their pieces are stunning and give off very Euro-summer vibes.

What was the highlight of your trip to Aspen with Modeliste?
Learning to ski, hands down. I hate heights and was really scared about getting on the chairlift—still don’t love that part—but it was so worth it and I was on a high. Definitely something I’ll be doing for life.

What’s your go-to airport look? Essentials to pack in a carry-on?
I want to be comfy and warm, so I usually go for a matching sweat set. It’s easy and makes you look put together without trying. I always pack gel eye patches, lip balm, hand cream, face mist, and a sleep mask.

Girls night in or Girls night out?
I always vote for girls night in, but since most of my friends are younger than me, we tend to have more nights out. And I always say that I’m gonna call it an early night, but then I’m almost always one of the last ones out. You would think by now I would just give into it.

What’s a typical work week like for you? Any advice for staying productive throughout the week?
I’m full-time Actor, Model, and Fit Model, so my schedule is always full. For me, staying off social media, especially TikTok, is key to not getting distracted. I always think “let me just watch a couple videos and decompress for a minute”, then I get sucked in for hours. I’m also big on writing things down. I keep my day planner with me at all times and I am religious about writing down every little thing I need to do.

What’s your go-to makeup routine? Any products you’d recommend for our Modeliste readers?
I love a natural bronzy look. Even on a night out, it’s really the most I’ll do. I love the Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue because it’s minimal coverage, has SPF30, and color corrects the redness I get on my cheeks.

What’s something your fans would be surprised to know about you?
I feel like everyone says this but I’m so much more goofy than I show online. I love making people laugh and I’ll do the most ridiculous things but as soon as someone tries to record, I get shy. I also love to remix songs and sing them to narrate whatever my dogs are doing at that moment. I kind of do that with a lot of things, like I sing my words when I’m nervous too.

What makes you different from other content creators?
Probably that I just don’t put as much effort as I should. Even though I feel like I do! Truly, it’s a full time job and more power to the girls who do it because it’s a lot of work. I probably influence more in-person day to day than online because I’m so busy that I often don’t get around to posting. But I’m always sharing brands and products to people who stop and ask me when I’m out and about. I’ll even throw out a rec in passing if I hear someone talking about it.

What would you like to say to your fans/followers?
I need to take my own advice on this but whatever it is, just go for it! Don’t worry about being cringe or people judging you. They might for ten seconds and then they’ll move onto the next thought. I wish I’d learned this sooner, but the regret of not trying something is way worse than it not working out. Also, people only know you’re insecure if you let them. I’ve had people compliment my confidence after being in rooms of people I didn’t know and feeling shy; but the way we feel isn’t always how we’re perceived.