And welcome to the Truth in Us Art, your source for conversations at the intersection of arts, culture, and community. I am your host, Rob Lee. And today, I'm excited to introduce my next guest. She is a model, a stylist, and a mental health advocate whose work combines creativity, fashion, and wellness. With a passion for using fashion as a safe space and sharing styling ideas that inspire, she's dedicated to promoting mental health and well-being in innovative ways.
Rob Lee:Please welcome Rahel Negasi. Welcome to the podcast.
Rahel Negasi:Thank you for having me. So my name is Rahel. I am a mental advocate, during the day and on the weekends, a part time model. And, yeah. So I you know, my my love of both, you know, mental health and, you know, fashion, I've I've found, you know, creative ways to just, you know, express myself through both avenues.
Rahel Negasi:And, yeah, I'm excited to to talk more about it.
Rob Lee:Yeah. We're we're definitely gonna go a little further further into it. And the sort of second part to the questions, I'd like to go back. You know? Could you, share an early memory related to fashion or creativity that, you know, left a mark and you think back?
Rob Lee:I think a lot of times, we have these these moments maybe from childhood or even, like like, later where just like, okay. That's a good fit. I'm gonna see if I can wear that, or they style that really cool together. But what's something that comes to mind for you with as it relates to fashion or creativity?
Rahel Negasi:So my earliest memory, when it comes to fashion, I I mean, I've I've looked back at, you know, old baby pictures, and I've always, you know, been very very good about styling myself and, you know, accessorizing and all that. But in terms of, you know, when it all came together, and I it really inspired, like, a true passion to pursue a job or career through it. My cousin, actually, I give her the credit for that. My my older cousin, she's very much she used to model back in the day. And I used to I've seen her like in shows, and I used to watch her get ready.
Rahel Negasi:And she's very, very probably one of my biggest inspirations when it comes to just like style and beauty, and taking care of yourself as a woman. And so, you know, when I saw her doing shows shows more often, I thought, hey. You know, I could do that too. So that's really what got me into fashion industry.
Rob Lee:Nice. That's that's really cool having, sort of that that reference point, that that inspiration right in front of you, that familial connection. No. That's that's that's really cool. Like, you know, I'm I don't have any fashion, you know, I put on just what I was clean, you know?
Rob Lee:So, like, oh, that's clean. I could just put that on it. It's like, that's the wrong color. That does not compliment you, my guy. Or you're wearing that?
Rob Lee:You sure? And and I think part of it comes from, like, I'm I'm a tall person, what have you, and everyone in my family is, like, short, so I have no reference point at times. So it's like, I don't have, like, a style reference, like, right in front of me. I kinda just, alright. This guy's wearing that.
Rob Lee:I'm gonna do that. Or when I was younger, it would be and this is gonna sound bad, but it would be, like, oh, what are rap rappers wearing? I'm just gonna put that on.
Rahel Negasi:Yeah. And I and I I think that's, you know, kind of a go to, you know, especially as, you know, when you're younger and you're more, you know, impressionable. It's like, oh, yeah. You know, whatever my favorite celebrity is wearing, that looks good on them. That'll work for me too.
Rahel Negasi:But I think that's that's the great thing about, you know, fashion and personal style in general. It's constantly evolving and changing. And, you know, what you wore back then, it's probably completely different than what you wear now. So there's always room for growth.
Rob Lee:Yeah. The sizes have gotten smaller. The pants are less baggy. Yeah. Not wearing bows.
Rob Lee:And I I it is funny. I just bought, something really, really expensive, for for me at least. And it's one of it's this hat Mahershala Ali wore at the Academy Awards a couple years ago, and I was just like, I'm gonna I'm gonna freak this. This is gonna look tight. And I just felt like it was a certain energy that I had in putting that on.
Rob Lee:I was just like, okay, this was cool. I chose this. It was slightly influenced, but it was sort of a vibe that I was going for, I guess. I'm sure we'll we'll talk a little bit about sort of those relationships with clothes and sort of the the the feelings that are attached at times. But, yeah, I felt like sort of this maturation in what I'm choosing to wear.
Rob Lee:It's there. I feel like an adult now, so so thank you. So I and and this is, like, the second this is funny. This this is the second interview that I've done this week where I saw you in person and I became aware of you in the event I saw you at. And then I reached out and you said, yeah.
Rob Lee:Sure. I'll do it. So I saw you at this year's, Fantasy Machine show, and it was a really, really dope you you you have a presence. And you, you know, you had a walk. I don't know what to what it what what compliments to give models, but you had a presence out there.
Rob Lee:Could you share what that experience for life was like and, also maybe talk about one of your earlier experiences modeling in the, like, being on the, experiences modeling in the lake, being on the they call it a catwalk. Right? Being on the so talk a bit about that experience and maybe one of your earlier experiences and sort of that maturation and that, that that process.
Rahel Negasi:Yeah. Thank you so much. And, you know, I hope you enjoyed the show. It was definitely, you know, wonderful experience. And the way I was introduced, to that event, was through one of the designers who I met casually, you know, a couple months back.
Rahel Negasi:And she happened to post on her story that she was looking for models. And I, you know, I always love to look through, you know, what their style is, what, you know, what kind of clothes they have, and, that they make, and to see if it resonates with me, something I wanna represent. And she's, you know, her line of clothing is, you know, all crochet. And I love you know, that's one of my favorite, style designs. So, you know, I reached out to her, and, you know, she told me to come on down to the show.
Rahel Negasi:And that was you know, it took off from there. But it was amazing. I mean, everybody backstage was, you know, really cool to talk to, easy to talk to. And, you know, it's a great place to network, you know, with creatives because, you know, you see so many different styles. And yeah, I I loved it, though.
Rahel Negasi:You know? And I even loved the venue that they used too, so it was it was really cool.
Rob Lee:Yeah. Big shout
Rahel Negasi:out to
Rob Lee:your aerospace.
Rahel Negasi:Yeah. It was my first time at that venue as well. It's like, you know, I love the fact that it's they turned it into a whole, you know, they had that catwalk built in one side, and then there's a bar on the other side. So it was really, like, nice to have that balance of, both in forms and entertainment. So, but in terms of, like, my first time on the catwalk, I I was in high school, and a couple of friends and I, we started our own fashion club.
Rahel Negasi:And so it's just me and a bunch of girls who were interested and obsessed with clothes, and we decided, you know, why not? And so we started this club, and our goal was by the end of the year to put on a show for the entire school. And a lot of the clothes, you know, were either it was a combination of both, you know, us bringing our personal clothes from our closet, you know, our favorite pieces, in addition to getting some pieces donated from local designers. So all the parents, you know, all our fellow classmates showed up, you know, for the show. And, you know, not gonna lie, the catwalk was a little shaky, you know, it was built by high schoolers, so we didn't, you know, can't really expect much.
Rahel Negasi:But it was so much fun just to be able to see everybody, you know, show off their, you know, personal style. And, you know, it's not just the clothes, like, how each person walks. You could it really it's really giving about their personality type. You know, some people are a little more reserved and have more of an elegant walk, and some people are very fun, flirty, and have more flare. So it was it was really fun.
Rob Lee:That's that's tight. And I have a second part to this question. Mhmm. But, you know, again, I'm I'm tall. Right?
Rob Lee:Like, I'm I'm 64, and, you know, I thought about it. I thought about it. You know, I was going through at one point in
Rahel Negasi:collecting side missions and doing this podcast. You know, I had
Rob Lee:a coffee named after me. I had and doing this podcast. You know, I had a coffee named after me. I had, like I got a cocktail named after me. I have, a few of these other things.
Rob Lee:I'm like, and I've always played with this idea. I had to shave my head, but this idea of doing at least one model thing and then retired. I I did I did my one walk, and I'm I'm done now. And I see this, it was it was something I forget which it was one of the big, like, fashion houses or what have you, but it was a bunch of movies, a bunch of actors, and they all have played villains in movies. And I'm like, that's my inspiration right there.
Rob Lee:They are all in villain wear. The brooches are out. There is crush there are blazers. Everyone looks tight, but that energy of you played this type of villain, and then your walk and your mannerisms and all of that stuff reflecting the villain that you play. Now they're all actors, but it definitely comes off.
Rob Lee:And the other thing is I was touching on, like, you absolutely had a presence that was out there. I was like, you are running the stage right now. You're running this sort of situation, and I don't know. I I guess it's it's something about it. And as a as a person who I've not been on a stage a lot.
Rob Lee:You know? Once I'm, I guess, moving towards that, having that opportunity to be on there more often, I get more comfortable with it. So I don't know. Just the villain thing and then, you know, you know, hearing your sort of, like, early experience and the more recent experience, you know, it's it's something that is definitely a component of if I I suppose if you go out there with, like, the positive energy you were touching on, you know, behind the scenes, everything was really cool, everything was, like, tight, people were nice. I can imagine if it was chaos back there, that was showing some folks its face and some, you know, as far as the performance aspect of being out there on the catwalk.
Rob Lee:If you will, in the second part of this question, how has modeling how has, like, going out there putting yourself out there because, you know, I want to have eyes away from me, not on me. How has that, like, sort of shaped your perspective around, like, mental health and sort of that advocacy work, that sort of dual identity that you have?
Rahel Negasi:Yeah. That's that's a great question. I and I you know, naturally, I'm a very shy person, so I can understand, you know, the feeling of, you know, not wanting any attention on you. That's, you know, 100%, you know, how I grew up as a very shy, reserved person. But there's something about and that's one of the reasons, you know, I kept doing shows, was to really push myself to get out of that, you know, out of my comfort zone.
Rahel Negasi:And the more I ended up doing that, you know, my confidence grew, self esteem, and you know, my sense of style, everything just improved. And that, you know, touches on to mental health as well. I feel as though, you know, I, like a lot of people, you know, struggled with you know, anxiety or just, you know, a lot of, like, personal struggles that, you know, we we encounter, we feel, we face every day. And I feel like modeling was very much an outlet for me to escape those, you know, struggles, and really just gave me this platform where, you know, I could just be me and be celebrated for it. You know, and it really, you know, like I said, and you meet other people who who experience, you know, which are going through as well.
Rahel Negasi:And you you you develop a bond with other people that also, you know, brings you know, boost your mental health as well.
Rob Lee:Yeah. You know, it's it's one of those things of, like, having folks that get it, you know, like, I think in doing this and I'm in the sort of journalist journalist bent and, you know, I talk to other podcasters. We can commiserate and share sort of what that experience is and sort of, you know, the cycle of rejection that, you know, a lot of artists encounter as well of, I thought this was a really cool conversation. Oh, 2 downloads. All right.
Rob Lee:Cool. And, you know, that's an impact because you're you're putting your your time and then you're bringing folks in there, you know, such as yourself. You know, I think when folks are doing interviews and they're putting forth like an effort or whatever their creative outlet is, that's not purely put it towards podcasting. But when you're putting forth that effort, there is sort of an impact. It's especially if it relates to your identity.
Rob Lee:You feel like I'm not accepted or I did a bad job or whatever. And being able to connect with someone who kind of can understand it and get it, you can trade off, like, no. This is how I look at it. And it's like, oh, that's an interesting way to look at it. And it sort of helps.
Rob Lee:Like, you know, I've been doing podcasting for 16 years. Right? And when I guess I'm a dinosaur in the industry. So when I talk to folks who who are just starting and they sort of maybe ask those those more challenging questions of, how do I make money from this? I was like, that's the last thing you should be worried about.
Rob Lee:Because if you start equating money to maybe why you're doing something, you're gonna put a dollar amount on sort of maybe your sanity or how you approach something creative, and that's just a slippery slope. So being able to share that and have it based in sort of experience, you know, kinda matters. And I think the same thing applies in any creative thing. Like, you know, when someone is out there, I think modeling, as you you touched on being shy or, you know, being observed, it's just like, oh, okay. I wonder if they noticed that.
Rob Lee:Did I, you know, my awareness properly? Oh, this kind of fell off a little bit. And, you know, the performance aspect of being in front of many people can be very, like, scary and stress inducing.
Rahel Negasi:Yeah. It definitely can be. And, you know, I've been backstage with younger models who, you know, were just starting out. You know, it might have been their first show versus for me, it's like my 10th show. And, you know, those moments kind of, you know, ground me because it reminds me of my first time, you know, those same feelings.
Rahel Negasi:You know, no one starts out on the catwalk a 100%, you know, sure of themselves, because you're trying to build up the experience that will give you that confidence. So, you know, for me, it was just a matter of you know, and if I was to give my, you know, advice to my younger self or somebody who's, you know, you know, nervous about being on on the catwalk for the first time, I would definitely just say, you know, practice, practice, practice as much as you can. And just, you know, don't look at it. Don't compare yourself to other models. Right?
Rahel Negasi:Each person, you know, your has their own individual walk that's gonna be unique to you, and you have to find that. If you try to copy somebody else's, it's gonna come off as inauthentic. Right? So the more the more real you are and the more you practice it, you know, the less and less those nerves get to you. And I mean, there are still times where I still get nervous, you know, when I go out on, you know, on the runway.
Rahel Negasi:But I've gotten real good at hiding it. You know? So it's it's just a matter of 2, like the clothes. This is why I say, like, I I pay attention to, you know, the type of clothes a designer makes. Because if it's something that really resonates with me and my style, I get excited.
Rahel Negasi:There's that natural excitement to just wanna go out there and show it off. Right? And, you know, you're motivated to, you know, make the designer proud. And, you know, it's a lot of there's a lot of emotions that go into it. But I genuinely feel like, you know, once you really get into it, the nerves kind of wash away and it almost just becomes like second nature.
Rahel Negasi:Yeah. So
Rob Lee:Yeah. I I was having this this conversation before you and I got started where it's it's almost like with something that's new, you know, I'm I'm at a stage now when I think initially, it's something that's new. I screw up on it. Right? Or I'm not doing it because it's new.
Rob Lee:But once I have a few reps under my belt, it's like, oh, that's that's old news. I got this. But I I'll be remiss if I didn't ask you this. So there's 2 questions. These are not I did not give these to you.
Rob Lee:So these these are gonna be interesting. If you will, what's one it's almost like a rapid fire question. What's one word that you would use to describe that walk of yours? That puts you on the spot right there because it Mhmm.
Rahel Negasi:Yeah. It's a
Rob Lee:very it's a very it's it's like I said, you got a presence.
Rahel Negasi:Right. I would just say elegance. And let me let me rephrase that without sounding like a question. Elegance. And the reason why I say that is I you know, there are different types of walks, different types of model walks.
Rahel Negasi:And, you know, of course, depending on the, you know, the outfit you're wearing, you might want, you know, something more fast paced, more slow. I tend to gravitate gravitate towards a slower walk that really exaggerates, you know, you know, my height and the clothes, and I keep it real slow too because I really want people to feel like, get a feel, you know, and not miss anything. Right? So
Rob Lee:You're you are it's like, I'm gonna do it. I'm gonna be seen. Here. You you Right. Timer on.
Rob Lee:Put your timer on. You got it.
Rahel Negasi:Yeah.
Rob Lee:And the, the other sort of quick one that I have for you, and this this might be a little little easier, but you did great. You did great on that one. When you see and you referenced sort of the designer for Fantasy Machine that you worked with, When you see a style that ultimately you think I would look good in there, if this matches, what are you looking for? Like, what are the qualities that you look for in someone's work that you're like, okay, if they reach out, I would be absolutely interested or, hey, I'm gonna reach out. You know, can I put your stuff on?
Rob Lee:Can I wear your fits?
Rahel Negasi:Yeah. I definitely make sure, you know, 1st and foremost, are these clothes that would actually fit me? Because I am, you know, considered on the more, you know, curvier side. And there are, of course, there are some design lines that don't really take that into account. So I really try to, you know, represent clothing brands that I see that, you know, really not even, you know, make sure that their sizing is diverse, but that they really wanna accentuate those curves, celebrate, you know, different body types.
Rahel Negasi:You know? Because, I mean, the industry has changed. You know? There's no more one size fits all. So that's one of the things I look for.
Rahel Negasi:Also, just the level of creativity. I feel like I really wanna be I wanna be excited. Right? Not just as a model, but just even as a consumer. Like, is this something that, you know, if I wasn't modeling for them, would that would I wear this in my personal day to day life?
Rahel Negasi:Sure. And if I can say yes to that with, you know, a 100% certainty, then that is another motivator for me to wanna work with a certain designer.
Rob Lee:Thank you. That's that's great. That is, you know, I I I love the creativity piece. I love the what I wear this outside of, you know, this is sort of a gig. This is an opportunity.
Rob Lee:And it's like, yeah. No. This this is great. You know, there are places in there as a person who I've gone to a few different things. I sit in the front row, you know, sit down like I'm a celebrity.
Rob Lee:You know, there's a podcast that I did. I will send it to you after this, where I was interviewing the designer, and I was like, you probably noticed me. I was in the front row with the ashy ankles, and and she's like, I do remember you. I was like, you remember the legs? And I was like, she was like, yeah.
Rob Lee:You should've put on some lotion. I was like, thank you. Thank you for saying all of that. But I felt like I this is one of those moments where, you know, I threw on, like, a really oversized shirt. I had, like, the shortest shorts I've ever worn on, and I was just, like, trying to present a vibe.
Rob Lee:But in it, you know, like I said, I'm tall or what have you, and I'm, like, looking. I was like, alright. I'm not really seeing anything that inspires me if I were to really try to pop out and show something. You know what I mean? Could I wear that and so on?
Rob Lee:So I have to look at it from a different perspective of, do I appreciate the creative merit that went into any of these looks? And that's the thing. I have to do that shift. So when I think of I've gone to 2, fantasy machine shows, and I look for that sort of avant garde stuff, you know, coming from a novices position. I don't know anything about fashion.
Rob Lee:I got a band t shirt on right now. But, you know, when I look at something from a creative standpoint or the sort of degree of difficulty, I'm like, yeah, that was some work there or this person is a nerd. This is great. And I look for sort of that stuff. So I love that part where you you mentioned sort of the creative, like, sort of sensibility that's there.
Rahel Negasi:Yeah. And honestly, I will say that oftentimes, you know, if I get the chance to, you know, observe the show, it's really not even I take it a step further, and maybe it might not be something I wear, but can I, like you said, just appreciate, you know, the level of effort and work that went into this piece? Because I know I don't know if you remember, but there was one, one designer that had crocheted an entire chair.
Rob Lee:Yes.
Rahel Negasi:Yeah. So and I just remember backstage look I could not stop looking at it because it's like, what, you know, what even inspires somebody do something like that? I don't know what, but I'm glad it did because it just it looks so amazing. And obviously, that's not something that, you know, you would wear day to day. But oftentimes, you can look at a fashion show the same way you would look at at an art gallery, right, where you go to admire pieces.
Rahel Negasi:And you might not take one home with you, but it's just something about, you know, being in the presence of, you know, that level of creativity that just brings enjoyment. You
Rob Lee:get it? Absolutely. So I want to and I think I think we're touching on a little bit here. Now, could you talk about how sort of the the dual identities, as you know, previously touched on sort of the modeling side and there's actually 3 because there's a stylist side as well. There's 3 different important.
Rob Lee:I'm going to touch on the stylist part, but sort of the fashion side of things and the mental health advocacy side of things. And and I I think you were touching on it a bit, but could you, like, really share how one maybe serves the other, like, you know, sort of being aware of can I put it? Like, I do do these podcasts and there are more and more ads, right, that pop in there of, like, get better help. And I'm like, I don't know if that's the type of wellness, mental health that I wanna engage. I'd rather, you know, talk with a person.
Rob Lee:And this comes from a person who I saw a therapist for, like, 3 years, and I, you know, kind of built up some of those skills and and so on. And, so it makes me a little bit more equipped when I'm doing this and, as I touched on, deal with the sort of cycle of rejection and the hits that happen and just the sort of day to day. I think I'm a relatively even killed individual, but that comes from sort of work that I've, you know, mentioned. So for you, could you speak on sort of how, like, one, the awareness around one's mental health? Because that's an assumption that people are like, Yeah.
Rob Lee:I know about my no. You don't. You know? But could you speak on sort of that intersection there? Like, you know, how how they kind of work in tandem?
Rahel Negasi:Yeah. I think I mean, that's really important, you know, to make that distinction. You know, aware awareness for 1 is not something that comes naturally. It's something it's a skill set that you really have to build and, you know, be mindful of. And I you know, and speaking from personal experience, you know, they're, you know, working both backstage and, you know, my day job, it's I do see intersections in terms of just in general, like, witnessing, you know, the the struggles, like, the stress, you know, that can come with, you know, either being on the runway or, you know, my day job, I I work with, you know, kids.
Rahel Negasi:So it's, you know, confidence issues with confidence and, you know, self esteem, especially for, you know, the younger girls. That's really where, you know, my my passion, my heart goes out because, you know, for someone who's been in that same stage and you know, it's not to say that I don't still have my days where I feel insecure. But knowing how to deal with those feelings, understanding that those feelings are temporary and that they pass and they're not a true reflection of your reality, That's a part of the self awareness. Right? And that's something that I, you know, I do my best to either, you know, model it in my own life or, you know, teach others that skill as well.
Rahel Negasi:So, you know, especially for, you know, my, my students, I, I always encourage them, you know, because some of them, you know, have found out that, you know, yeah, I model on the side and, like, wow. There's awe. Right? And, you know, some of them are not surprised. They're like, yeah.
Rahel Negasi:You have all that height. Why not? And I'm like, yeah. Well, you know, I didn't always, you know, of course, modeling sounds so glamorous that I always try to paint, you know, a picture of reality for them. I say, you know, if you're interested in getting into the field, not just modeling, but into any, you know, creative field, I always suggest that, you know, you take time to really get to know yourself.
Rob Lee:Sure.
Rahel Negasi:You know, get to know what your values are, what your interests are, because it's so easy to once you get into these jobs or, you know, once you get into these industries that it's easy to be influenced and swayed by other people. Right? And that that's not always a bad thing. Sometimes it's good to, you know, take in other people's opinions. But how you let it affect you and, you know, how you move forward, that's really where you the mindfulness and awareness comes in.
Rahel Negasi:Right? So if you have a better sense of yourself and you're grounded in that, then it makes it, you know I feel like, number 1, people will admire you for it, and they'll respect you a little more. But also, too, it's just, like, the authenticity that comes with it. I mean, you just you really learn to embrace yourself. And again, people will take notice.
Rahel Negasi:The right people will. Right? And that's why I always, you know and now, like like I said, I'm very picky about, you know, who I work with because I know that there are people who will embrace me and, you know, my size, and there are others who don't. And that's why I always maintain that I go where I'm wanted and where I'm valued.
Rob Lee:I love that. And, yeah, you know, in the last year, I've done the education thing as well. I don't really talk about it too, too much, on here. But, you know, one segment was I had high school students I was working with, and I'm like, I am not qualified to give advice. But, you know, finding that, you know, you have this sort of shorthand and, you know, black dude or what have you, and I do something in this this lane that they are they're interested in.
Rob Lee:And, you know, kind of having an understanding of some of the challenges that the students engage in. And I had, you know, one student in there in my class that I thought was just, you know, it's just senioritis. It's like, yo, I'm trying to get out of here. You just talking, bro. Can you and she would always have her headphones on.
Rob Lee:And I got sort of the message from our division lead, or department lead rather, that, you know, she's had some things, you know, going on in, you know, sort of in her life that she's not listening to. It's just more of a mechanism to help her cope. And I was like, oh, okay. Cool. It's good to know that.
Rob Lee:It's good to have that context, because I didn't know anything going in. And, you know, I would always find a way to I use humor as my my way, so I was trying to find a way to crack her. And I remember at one point, we were talking, and we were doing these sort of impromptu podcasts, and she was always, like, trying to opt out of each one. And I was like, well, you weren't here in the last class. I guess you gotta work with me.
Rob Lee:She's like, oh, man. And we ended up doing a podcast together, and I got her to open up, and I could see, like, the face change. And she was like, I'm trying to be an actor. I want to do this. And I was like, what movies are you gonna be in?
Rob Lee:She's like, I'm in all of Marvel movies. This is where they messed up on them. And I'm like, this is great. And I say that whole thing to say this, that, you know, when I was in high school, we kind of, you know, didn't really talk about what may have been going on. We had minimal awareness of it.
Rob Lee:Whereas now, I think, you know, students have a bit more awareness of it, but it's just so many other things that are potential stressors. So if there's an opportunity that's there and the limited capacity and limited time I have with those those students or anyone who is going to listen, who I can provide potential feedback to or support to, it's just a great opportunity to to help because it's like, I haven't been through the exact thing, but here's maybe a 5 minute distraction about me saying something stupid. I don't know. But it could be, something of of benefit just to kinda lighten the load ultimately.
Rahel Negasi:Yeah. That's the it's, you know, it's not easy, you know, working in education, but, you know, the it's it is very rewarding, you know, if it's something that you're truly, you know, interested in doing and trying to be impactful. It's I mean, it's amazing. I have so many, you know, stories, but
Rob Lee:Gotcha.
Rahel Negasi:I I will say that, you know, they you know, kids will remind you, you know, what's real and what's not. You know, they can tell, you know, who's trying to, you know, pretend. And, you know, they and that's one thing. That's why I love, you know, I enjoy working with them because they really do keep you honest. And that's something that I, you know, I don't just keep that, you know, mentality when I work with them.
Rahel Negasi:Just in general, when I apply myself in other areas, you know, especially, you know, with modeling, like, there are so many opportunities to not be yourself. Right? To try to pander, you know, to whoever. And that's why, you know, I'm very stay mindful. I stay very aware of, you know, any shift like that.
Rob Lee:Yeah. And that's and that's a good point where and that's why in part, when I do this introductory thing, it feels weird sometimes. Like, I'll do my intro, and then I'll ask the person to introduce themselves, and it's done intentionally. Like or even when I do, like, the rapid fire portion, which you'll be getting later, so don't don't run away, that I find a lot of times you have folks on is just talk about these things in this way that gives me the content that I'm looking for. And, like, people are three-dimensional.
Rob Lee:People have much more depth than that. So I don't really care about. Yeah. So when you walk in on stage, how does your feet feel? I don't care about that.
Rob Lee:But I'm curious about sort of the thinking that goes into what makes you what make what makes you up as a person, what goes into, you know, your philosophies, your thoughts, your identity, and sort of the the mental health space and sort of the in the fashion space, in the modeling space. So that's sort of the thinking and hearing it from you directly in an in an authentic way versus, yeah, just give me the things that's clickable, that feels like it's something, you know, social media oriented or whatever. And looking for the real. That's really what it is. So I want to move into styling a little bit.
Rob Lee:So styling is such a personal and creative process. Now I'll say this. For a long time, especially when I go down to DC, I have a buddy down there, and me and him joke about being European black dudes. So we try to dress in a certain way when we go to any openings. We're playing a gimmick, but we're both in on a joke.
Rob Lee:So it's kind of kind of entertaining for us both. But there is a belief, you know, in this sort of personal creative process, there's a belief that if you look good, you feel good, whether it's wearing a new outfit or getting a haircut. You know, I know there's a player that plays for the, the Celtics, Jayson Tatum. He has this clip that goes around. He's just like, man, when I don't get my haircut, man, I feel like a bum.
Rob Lee:As soon as I get my haircut, I'm top five in league. I was like, your energy has changed. So you see it on Instagram. Right? You know?
Rob Lee:Like, really, it's this running thing of they'll show people's glow ups, and it's like, you're not ugly. You're just a broke. You know, that that running bit. So not necessarily in bad. That's more of a bit.
Rob Lee:But could you talk a bit about sort of the that idea of sort of, I guess, how you feel internally, kind of like showing out in what you're presenting, whether it be through how you style yourself, sort of maybe decisions you might do with your your hair or what have you. You have, you know, you have hair, so you do that. I don't have hair. I'm just doing something else. So just talk about sort of that the the feelings to the presentation component.
Rahel Negasi:Yeah. So I you know, it took me a while before I even understood the difference between personal style and fashion. I think I mean, a lot of people, you know, get it get the term misconstrued. But, you know, from what I understand it as, you know, fashion can incorporate, you know, a wide range of things, including, you know, trends. Right?
Rahel Negasi:But personal style, that's that's all you. It's how you take those influences, what you see online, or what you see at the store, and how you make it work for you. So I will say that, of course, when you're younger, and you tend to you know, I always like what you used to do. I always like to just copy my favorite celebrity. And, of course, at the time, it was, you know, Rihanna.
Rahel Negasi:She's definitely a big somebody when it comes to the fashion industry, you know, really, really big, and of course, one of the most influential. And, you know, I would take a lot of cues from her and really just study I would literally study the outfits that she was wearing and, like, break it down and try to find something as similar as possible and just, like, copy it, basically. Right? And, you know, sometimes it will it would work out, sometimes it wouldn't. But I realized that I was never 100% confident, and I couldn't figure out why.
Rahel Negasi:And that's when, of course, now as I've gotten older, I realized it's because that wasn't me. You know, you're trying to be somebody else. And, of course, you're it's never gonna fit. And so once I started developing, you know, my personal style, I really decided, okay. I'm gonna do this in a way that allows me to still be me by incorporating, you know, favorite pieces.
Rahel Negasi:Like, I might see something someone else is wearing, but that I like, but I'll, you know, make it my own. I'll style it differently if that makes sense for me.
Rob Lee:Yeah.
Rahel Negasi:So yeah. But in the way I style myself, you know, it changes. Right? You know, there's so many trends nowadays. You know, there's I don't even know.
Rahel Negasi:There's so many. But I find that if you you have to kind of be careful with, you know, dressing trendy because, you know, it's very easy to get sucked into it. And then by next season, there's a new trend and you don't you no longer wear half of what's in your closet. So, you know, not just as a way to, like, save my my my money and my time. I really try to curate my closet in a way that I bring in more timeless pieces, pieces that I'll probably still be wearing maybe 10 years from now.
Rahel Negasi:I actually have, like, a leather jacket from, like, when I was 17. So and it's definitely well over 10 years. So it's like, I I you know, the fact that, you know, I have more pieces like that in my closet has made me, you know has brought a lot of, like, you know, confidence and just I'm more content now with what I have and how I style myself.
Rob Lee:That's great. That's really that's really cool. Like, you know, I find that my my weight has fluctuated over the years, and there are times where I used to have that approach. I used to just only only wore Ralph Lauren all the time. It's like, yo, rugbies.
Rob Lee:Let's go. They got a new piece. I'm gonna get that. And, definitely, I look for specific brands. Even, you know, you talked about, you know, this jacket that you had when you from when you were 17.
Rob Lee:It made me think about this is so corny. And I'm gonna embarrass myself in front of you right now just for context. I used to be a rapper in high school. Right? And I had a name, and it has nothing to do with religion, but my name was Nam Mecca, and I used to wear the Mecca clothing line all the time.
Rob Lee:So that was all I was buying. 1st job in high school in high school, yeah, I was, buying a new mecca t shirt or jeans every 2 weeks, and I was just like, I'll be an influencer. Then, you know, now I'm an influencer. But then I just looked like a mecca mascot, and it was just ridiculous. And I always find a way to just find a brand that I really like, and then I kinda, like, stick with it.
Rob Lee:And, you know, in the last few years, it was always, like, something Carhartt related, but not looking for, like, the typical sort of thing. You put on a Carhartt beanie and a sweatshirt, and you just look like every hipster strolling the streets. I would try to find something that was maybe a unique piece that is they did 2 of these or they did a handful of these, and I'm gonna try to freak it. So one thing that I was doing, and I look I'm looking at one of the pieces right now. I would go to this one brand.
Rob Lee:It was a shop in Baltimore, double Dutch, and I would always get, like, different handkerchiefs from this one brand. So I would always wear, like, basically, like a neckerchief with the Carhartt sweatshirt, and I would just try to, like, freak it and just try to make it my own. And I was like, this is gonna be my signature, at least for
Rahel Negasi:this
Rob Lee:year. And that's, I guess, from what I'm trying to reinterpret from what you were saying about style. I think that was my attempt at having my own style.
Rahel Negasi:Yeah. It's definitely, you know, just playing around and just it's it's it's the whole process of just experimenting. Right? There's no right. There's no wrong, really.
Rahel Negasi:And like you said, you know, as your body, like, changes, you know, it's you're gonna have to adapt your style. Right? And, yeah, I would definitely say, of course, there are some pieces that you have to let go of, and then there's some that, you know, that will stay with you forever. And you find new ways of styling it, that that's really, you know, one one of the, best pieces of advice I've been given was instead of going out to the multi shop, shop in your own closet. Because you might have something in there that you can style in a completely different way that makes it feel brand new to you.
Rahel Negasi:So I take that.
Rob Lee:I love it. I love it. So I got one last real question, and then I think 15 rapid fire questions. I am joking. So sort of the last real question, I want to, like, kind of bring everything together.
Rob Lee:So I've been doing this, for, you know, as I think about almost 2 decades. So in thinking through it, I've gone through different cycles in, you know, my life, who I am as a person, and so on. And this as a creative outlet has always been a part of it. You know, folks listening at times, they're like, I know Rob. I was like, I don't know if you know me, or even the podcast that I used to do, my brother would say he's like, that's you.
Rob Lee:You need to be more like that. He's like, this whole corporate Rob doesn't really work out. You need to be like podcast Rob. I was like, I use a lot of 4 letter words in that that podcast. I can't say that in the office, my guy.
Rob Lee:So for you and your your maturation as as an adult, you know, moving into sort of, you know, stages, like, you know, it's been, what, I don't know how many years. I actually should ask. How many years have you been modeling?
Rahel Negasi:So off and on, it's been about 5 years.
Rob Lee:So 5 years is a long time. You know? I've been doing this podcast for about 5 years. So from, where you started to where you're at now, how has creativity played a role in your journey? Because you start looking at 5 years.
Rob Lee:We had a global pandemic. We had all of these different shifts in the world around us. So how has creativity been sort of a, I guess, a tool for maybe coping, a tool for just kinda getting out of your own head? How's that been for you over these, you know, last 5 years?
Rahel Negasi:Well, yeah. I mean, creativity has been, you know, the very thing that's gotten got definitely taken me out of my head, especially when I, you know, I tend to be an overthinker. So, you know, with clothes, it's it's very simple. You know, I like what I like, and I put it together. So but in general, I feel like it's not just even for me that I, that I enjoy styling myself.
Rahel Negasi:I also like helping other people find their style as well. So being able to use my creativity, not just for me, but to help others as well, has been so much fun. And, I actually I used to volunteer at a little boutique, you know, when I was in high school. And I used to get you know, people will pay attention to how I would dress. And, you know, customers will come in and ask, you know, like, how where did I find that certain piece, or if I could help them find something.
Rahel Negasi:And, you know, especially it's always usually the tall women too because they see me, and they're like, oh, your pants actually touched the floor. And I'm like, yeah. Trust me. I understand the struggle, and I would recommend them, you know, certain style of jeans that are more flattering, you know, especially for a woman who's taller and knows what that struggle is like. And I would just you know, their face when they would try things on and, you know, the the the level of confidence you see, especially when it could just be one pair the right pair of jeans that can really, like, make all the difference.
Rahel Negasi:And I really get joy out of, like, helping other people, you know, through that. So
Rob Lee:That's tight. I I got a, before I moved to these rapid fire ones, I remember getting I was I went to see Taylor, and I was just, like, not sure which size jacket I wore because of the whole, you know, fluctuations and all. And it wasn't for, like, a wedding. It wasn't for anything formal. I was getting a suit jacket, like, altered because it was part of my Halloween costume.
Rob Lee:I was going as The Weeknd in the red jacket, and I was going to put my own makeup on. I was calling myself the 3 day weekend because I'm a lot taller than him or the long weekend, whatever you want to call it. And, you know, we were we were talking, and I was like, I haven't been measured in a while. And he's, you know, some of the dimensions that I was at the time. And I was like, alright, bro.
Rob Lee:Since you got the tape on me, man, let's talk about jeans real quick. And he was like, what do you wanna know? I was like, what should I what jeans should I get it? I was like, I got these on. These need to go.
Rob Lee:And he gave me, as he said, the cheat code. He's like, you should get your jeans from these. He's like, get the athletic cut. He's like, we have a very similar body type. And he's giving me sort of this I'm not a person that takes the styling advice.
Rob Lee:I just as I said before, and I've established I don't have. But he just threw it out there, and he was just like, yeah. You should just do this. And that stuck with me over the last probably, 3 years. So whenever I buy jeans, it's that same sort of setup.
Rob Lee:And he was 100% right. So it's just something about it, but I had, like, the biggest grin on my face. And he was like, here's the cheat code, bro. I was like, yes. Tell me.
Rob Lee:I'm taking notes, sir. So I would like to move into the rapid fire questions, and I got 4 of them for you. And, you know, as a fellow overthinker, I'll give you the the preface. Don't don't overthink these. Just whenever you got whatever the answer.
Rob Lee:So here's the first one. What's a self care routine that you've been loving lately?
Rahel Negasi:Oh, skincare. My you know, whether it's 5 steps or 10 steps, I enjoy it. It's just it's time for, you know, like, me time that, you know, no one else interrupts. And yeah.
Rob Lee:Yeah. We're gonna drop that routine. I need to see what we got. What are while we're we're recording this fall winter ish, so this would be very apt. What three colors have you been enjoying to wear recently?
Rahel Negasi:For fall, I would definitely say teal, maroon, and black.
Rob Lee:Alright. Get out of my closet. That's just my three colors right there. You throw out teal. I was like maroon.
Rob Lee:I I'll say oxblood because, you know, I gotta be different. You know? I I like all 3 of those colors, actually. Now this one, who's someone whose style has caught your eye in the last year?
Rahel Negasi:Oh, there's this high fashion model. Her name is Inokiai. Hope I'm pronouncing her name right. But, yes, she's this beautiful, beautiful, beautiful high fashion model. And she's, you know, she was discovered, I believe, like, very recently.
Rahel Negasi:And, her style, you know, is just so I mean, most of the time I see her wearing, you know, black or white. But she always I mean, obviously, she's tall. So everything she wears just accentuates those long legs, and she always comes off. I would I would describe her style as a little bit, like, a mixture between elegant and a little bit of punk or grunge, I guess. Because I've seen her do, like, different colored wigs and everything in addition to wearing white ball gowns.
Rahel Negasi:So she has a nice balance between these very, you know, 2 different styles, which I really you know, I I love that when someone can mix it up like that.
Rob Lee:I like that duality. That's good. Mhmm. K. Here's the last one.
Rob Lee:This is the one I most recently added. So there's this this running thing, and I'm curious about the habits of, artists, of of guests that I have on this podcast, some of the minutiae. So what are your go to meals in a given week? Because, you know, I wanna add you know, I'm a ask a model. Yeah.
Rob Lee:So what do you eat? Now what what do you eat? You know? Like, you know, if you got, like, 3 meals in a week that you're cooking, what are the 3 meals?
Rahel Negasi:Well, I definitely love to eat. So I would say, a lot of what I, you know, know to make is, like, recipes that were passed down to me by my my mom and my grandma. And, so we you know, my family, my mom's side is Ethiopian. And so a lot of the dishes I know how to make are Ethiopian dishes. So, yeah.
Rahel Negasi:Typically, it's either that or if I really wanna be, you know, something quick or easy, I'll do, like, tacos or pasta, like, something simple. But yeah.
Rob Lee:Okay. You throw out pasta. It's simple. Okay. I like that.
Rob Lee:I like how you just slip that out there. Because you like that. They eat Ethiopian food. That's that's the that's the challenge, degree of difficulty stuff.
Rahel Negasi:Well, I I mean, for me, I thought it was when when you compare the time it takes to cook Ethiopian food versus pasta, trust me, you'll understand. Like, it's it it it makes the pasta feel very simple, because Ethiopian food, it takes time and a lot of love, a lot of effort goes into it. So
Rob Lee:Yeah. You gotta put me on. I am not I'm not privy, but I've I've heard great things.
Rahel Negasi:Oh, yeah. There's plenty of places, you know, that make really great food, but there's nothing like home cooked food. So
Rob Lee:so so you're you're you made it. You made it off the hot seat. We got all of the rapid fire questions done. We got all the real questions done. So in these final moments, there are 2 things I would like to do.
Rob Lee:1, I would like to thank you so much for coming on to this podcast and spending about an hour with me. Gosh, the time flies. And, and 2, I'm going to invite and encourage you to share with the listeners where they can follow you to stay up to date on everything you got going on. So the floor is your social media website, any of that stuff. The floor is yours.
Rahel Negasi:Yeah. Thank you for having me. I would say you can find me on both, Instagram and TikTok. For Instagram, my user is r.tzera. For TikTok, it's r.tzeraa.
Rahel Negasi:So, yeah, you can find me there.
Rob Lee:There you have it, folks. I wanna again thank Rahel Negasse for coming on to the podcast and sharing a bit of her story with us. And for Rahal, I am Rob Lee saying that there's art, culture, and community in and around your neck of the woods. You've just gotta look for it.
