[Interview by: Paige Catton]
Photo Credits: Black and White (thumbnail): Taylor Pham; Above: Stian Rasmussen.
20-year-old Victoria Owens is a junior Communication Studies major and Journalism minor that truly does it all. At school, Tori is part of both the Honors Program and Delta Gamma sorority, of which she acts as a member of the executive board. She is also a copy editor at The Loyolan, LMU’s student-run newspaper, and a writing tutor at Disability Support Services. Off-campus, you can find Tori interning at Dolce & Gabbana in Beverly Hills, or fashion modeling.
Â
How would you describe a typical day at your internship with D&G? And how do you like your internship?
I love my internship! I do entertainment public relations for Dolce & Gabbana. A typical day there is obviously a lot of time spent online looking at publications and in magazines of any celebrity wearing the brand. A typical day involves running to the store, taking samples back, and making sure everything in the showroom is neat and tidy.
You modeled for Oscar de la Renta over the summer. What was that like?
Oscar de La Renta was a Runway show, and runway shows are super nerve-racking. Unlike print modeling, you only have one chance to walk the runway. And before it’s really chaotic. All the models sit together and the makeup artists go down the line and do everyone’s makeup. It’s so fast paced, but it’s such a thrill when you get on the runway. There is no experience like walking down a runway when everyone’s eyes are on you.Â
Did everything go okay at the rehearsal?
It was pretty embarrassing. The shoes I had were too big and they flew off during the rehearsal, so they had to change those out.
When did you start modeling?
I started modeling when I was 13. I signed with a boutique agency in San Francisco, but I really didn’t get any work until I was 15, when I did a shoot with Aeropostle that ended up on billboards in Times Square. I always joke around and say I peaked at 15 because it was really big for me.  Â
Do you have a favorite shoot from over the years? And why was it your favorite?
That’s hard. I would probably say Men’s Warehouse. When I got there, I wasn’t really sure of the role I would be playing. I ended up being the bride and they gave us ice cream! The theme of the shoot was purple, so they gave us purple Ube ice cream. I really like group shoots.
What is your favorite part about modeling?
Being able to show personality. Personality is an huge part of the industry, and I think that’s a big misconception. A lot of emphasis is placed on looks, but personality goes a long way, too. I think one of the most fun parts about being on the other side of the camera is that you are sort of playing a character. For example, if the shoot is fun and upbeat, your attitude has to match that.
What do you like to do in your free time? If you ever have any? [Laughs]
Oh gosh. I’m weirdly obsessed with Disneyland and have an annual pass. I’m way too old to be obsessed with it. My boyfriend is obsessed, too, and it’s definitely our favorite place to go. Whenever he’s in town, that’s usually where we spend our time. Besides that – I know it’s terrible –I’m a huge TV junkie. My free time usually consists of catching up on shows.
As your roommate and fellow TV-addict, I probably don’t help with that.  How do you balance everything?
I think the biggest things are definitely organization and levelheadedness. Being part of the modeling industry, especially as a college student, is really hard because a lot of models drop out of school and that’s never been an option for me. School has always come first. I think a lot of it is just prioritizing and knowing what comes first in your book, and then what comes fifth or tenth.