It Girl | GESS PUGH
Meet Gess (pronounced like Jess)! I had the pleasure of meeting Gess in 2018 at Create Cultivate Chicago. After exchanging IG handles we were able to keep up with each other over the years. Gess lived in Atlanta at the time and now she is in NYC! Gess is also my sorority sister! IYKYK (skee-wee) Honestly I got super distracted getting this out because her blog is so entertaining. It is linked below so after you read about this beauty make sure you go show her some love. <3
Name: Gess Pugh
Age: 28
Job Title/Company: Freelance Model/Influencer
Education Background: Bachelors of Arts in Anthropology from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
In-depth Questions
Tell us a little about who you are.
Oh this is always a hard question for me! Well first & foremost, I am a daughter, sister & friend; I think our relationships in life make up a huge part of who we are. I currently work as a freelance model & body acceptance advocate aka Instagram girl. I love tacos, music, and have recently started a yoga practice that I hope I will continue.
What sparked your interest in making a career switch?
I knew for a while that I wasn’t satisfied in my career and knew I needed to make a change, but I was terrified to do it and didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do. I started to apply to graduate programs because that’s what I thought I was supposed to do/was encouraged to do; but when the time came for me to take the GMAT, I realized I wasn’t excited about the thought of going back to school. So I skipped the test.
I have always had an interest in fashion, ever since I was a little girl, but I didn’t know I could make a career out of it. Once I discovered I could create my own path, I decided to quit my job & move to NYC to pursue fashion. It all happened very fast & it was quite scary if I’m honest. But I knew that I was young, childless & unmarried – this was the time to go after what I wanted, nothing was holding me back.
3. Who are you most influenced by?
This answer has actually changed recently but I would say the icons of the past: Nina Simone, Lorraine Hansberry, James Baldwin, Paul Robeson, Lena Horne, Eartha Kitt, etc. I have been so inspired by their art as a form of active protest. They used their platform to amplify the voices of the marginalized and I can only aspire to do that with my work.
“Whew, failure is a constant part of my life. I’ve learned to make friends with it, as uncomfortable as it is. ”
4. What was your first job and how long did you hold that position?
I got my first job the minute I turned 15 working as a sales associate at Nautica. My little town in Maryland had an outlet mall and I was so excited to make my own money. I think I stayed at that job for a year or two.
5. Can you share one of your proudest achievements with us?
For sure! The time I modeled for LOFT during NYFW is the first thing that comes to mind. I came to New York for CurvyCon & saw that LOFT was hosting a casting for their runway show, so I went not expecting to be chosen. I got the call later that evening from the casting director and I was beside myself. I got to walk in a show with models I loved & looked up to for years like Hunter McGrady, Denise Bidot & Tabria Majors. It was a very surreal moment. I absolutely was shell shocked on the runway, but that was my first taste of my dreams and helped propel me to make my career switch.
6. What were your initial goals with your work? How have they evolved?
Oh my, I’m a Gemini so things are constantly changing and evolving, haha. Initially I wanted to have a 9-5 job in fashion doing styling or PR. I have done both of those things & really did not love it. I went full-time freelance modeling/styling at the beginning of 2020 and I really appreciate the flexibility and ability to make my own schedule.
One thing that has definitely evolved is my desire to make my work a form of activism for black women and for fat folks. I think it’s important that I use my platform and the little momentum I have, to start conversations around race, size, and beauty.
7. What do you think is the most important life skill you learned through your work?
Follow your intuition. If I have to force anything, and I am not in the flow of life/myself it is not for me.
8. Where do you hope to be in five years?
Another question I struggle with. To be honest, I just hope to be at peace with my life in 5 years. Not constantly searching for what’s next but feeling content with what I have. Some sense of financial stability and comfort. Perhaps I’m a consultant for fashion brands, helping them to diversify and hopefully by then I’ll be madly in love. Cheesy, I know.
9. What is a typical day like for you?
Things look VERY different for me in the COVID era but I wake up around 7, and the first thing I do is meditate for about 15 minutes. Then I get up, brush my teeth, clean my apartment a little & do yoga. After yoga, I take a shower, do my skincare routine, and get dressed for the day. I typically call my parents as I make my coffee and once I finish talking to them, I start working on any projects I have. If I don’t have any shoots/projects on the docket I try and find inspiration through documentaries, music, and books. Towards the end of the day, I make some dinner and catch up on my fave shows, chat with friends & scroll through Instagram and Reddit.
10. What was the biggest obstacle you’ve faced so far in the process of pursuing your goals?
Well COVID definitely made things more difficult, the fashion industry was hit really hard. I was making most of my connections in person so that being taken away has been a real challenge. I’m getting a fraction of the work I did before.
Aside from that, I would say thinking that I have to be like everyone else. I get in my own way a lot. I hesitate to execute ideas and that leads to frustration, and ultimately stagnation.
11. What is the best piece of advice you have received?
“What’s going to make the greatest impact in the long term is staying true to yourself.”
12. When do you get your best ideas?
When I’m unplugged. There is something about silencing/disconnecting from the thoughts & ideas of others, that allows you to rediscover your own thoughts.
“They used their platform to amplify the voices of the marginalized and I can only aspire to do that with my work.”
13. Can you share with us one time that you failed and what you learned from that failure?
Whew, failure is a constant part of my life. I’ve learned to make friends with it, as uncomfortable as it is.
There was this test shoot I was styling; it was my first editorial test shoot and my boss told me that she was going to let me take the lead. Naturally, I was scared out of my mind & I completely choked. I didn’t know what to do & completely froze. My boss had to step in & take over, and I was MORTIFIED. It was a humbling experience, but it taught me that I need to have more confidence in my abilities. I am absolutely capable of creating great things, I need to believe in myself.
14. How do you unwind?
Lots of solo dance parties around my apartment, spending time with loved ones, and music - it’s such an escape for me.
15. What would you tell someone else who is interested in entering your field?
Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. Reinvent yourself as much or as little as you want. You are in control of your destiny, and you make the rules. Simple as that.
16. What do you hope people take away from your story?
That the pursuit to success is never-ending. Following your dreams, in theory, seems like fun & freedom but there is so much uncertainty, doubt and fear in the pursuit. I hope people see me for me: flawed, raw, beautiful, excited, scared, and hopeful. I guess I’m hoping they find a piece of themselves in me & know that they aren’t alone.
17. Anything we missed that you would like to share?
Nope!
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