“You have to accept that modeling is an extremely competitive pursuit, and handle being told ‘no’ in a way that will impact you positively.” – Steven Busby

  Welcome to Face Time. DFW Style Daily’s exclusive series goes beyond the runways and picture-perfect shoots to get to know top Dallas models on a personal level. Why? Because there’s a hell of a lot more to making it in one of fashion’s most competitive fields than just a fit figure and shiny hair. Case in point: Steven Busby. After getting a late start in the business, this hot local model isn’t wasting any time. He’s put together quite a roster of top-tier clients, and Steven’s also dead serious about maintaining perspective in the midst of it all. But that doesn’t exclude an equally serious Flappy Bird score (among other funny quirks). Read on for the scoop.   Name: Steven Busby Hometown: Kansas City, Missouri Agency: Wallflower Management Notable Clients: FD Luxe, Fiat, Southwest Airlines, Eli Young Band  

  DFW Style Daily: At what age did you begin modeling? Were you ‘discovered’ or did you pursue modeling as a career? Steven Busby: “I began modeling a little less than a year ago, at age 23. I’d graduated from college, and realized that I still had no idea what I wanted to be when I grew up. My sister modeled fairly successfully here in Dallas, so I’d seen the positives and negatives, and the idea wasn’t completely foreign to my family. When I said I wanted to give modeling a try, they didn’t burst out laughing, so I took that as a good sign. My friends did the laughing.”   What is the most challenging aspect of your job? “You have to accept that this is an extremely competitive pursuit, and handle being told ‘no’ in a way that will impact you positively. You’re not going to book every audition, or even a majority of them, especially when you are first starting out. Right now, I just try to think of every audition as a chance to improve my interaction with people. If I book the job, great. If I don’t get it, then at least I have another audition’s experience under my belt. In that sense, modeling almost forces you to maintain positivity. Just because you aren’t the right fit for a certain job, that doesn’t mean you won’t be right for the next one. That’s what keeps you going.”  

  Are there any "deal breakers" for you when it comes to job requirements? “I would like to get to the point in my career where I can refuse to shave and clients will still offer me work. I look like a small child without some facial hair. Until then, I can’t say that there are many red flags that immediately come to mind. I haven’t been offered a nude gig, but something tells me I would probably be sick that day.”   In your opinion, what is the biggest misconception about models or the modeling industry? “I like to consider myself a fairly intellectual person, and there is no doubt that I love to eat. So, hopefully, I’m breaking the mold a bit there. The most glaring misconception that I’ve come across is the idea that models aren’t really good at, or interested in, anything other than standing in front of a camera. I’ve met so many people in the past year that are not only smart and funny, but are talented athletes, artists, and musicians when they are not modeling. Like most people, it’s a disservice to define them simply by their profession. I, myself, have cleared 181 pipes in Flappy Bird. Dare to dream, everyone.”  

  Speaking of dreaming, if you could head out on a dream assignment for any client, anywhere in the world, where would you go? Who would the dream client be? “I would be interested in working with a client like J. Crew. They have an understated sort of classiness. [In this dream assignment], they would be launching their European line. I would be modeling, hopefully looking dapper, up in the Swiss Alps. I would be in some sort of a log cabin, with my leg up on the side of the windowsill, staring out at the thick snowfall. There would probably be a bearskin rug in the middle of the room. My beard would be thick. “And, if we are aiming high, I would love to get to the point where I could walk in a major show during either New York or Paris fashion week. I worked a supportive role at the recent Chanel Métiers d’Art show in Dallas, and the grandeur was astounding.”   Do you have a personal role model? What have you learned from his example? “In life, my father is my role model, hands down. I don’t have enough time or space here to do him justice. He’s just a great person. “As far as fashion goes, I really don’t have a role model. I try to go into any situation and just do what comes naturally to me. Imitation will only get you so far in a creative industry. You will always end up with your own personal style, anyway.”  

  How would you describe your personal style? Do you have any favorite shopping spots? “My style is kind of eclectic. I enjoy a more laid back look most of the time, but I also like to look put-together every now and then. If I could only shop at one store for the rest of my life, I guess it would have to be Tyler’s. Hurley, Billabong, and RVCA make up a good portion of my wardrobe. I would be kidding myself if I didn’t mention Target somewhere in here, though. I will never be too good to shop at Target. Their tee shirts are out of control.”   Finally, if you had a free afternoon or evening in Dallas, how would you spend it? “Chances are, if I’m in Dallas for the evening and the Mavericks are playing, I’m definitely at the American Airlines Center. I’m a huge sports guy. If not, I always love to check out the Dallas World Aquarium. I love animals, and the Aquarium has such an authentic feel. You almost forget that you’re still in Dallas. I will touch that manatee before I die.”   All photos, courtesy of Wallflower Management.