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Model Marisa Howard Keeps Blogging, Yoga & Soon-To-Be Motherhood In Balance
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“I believe that yoga calms the whirling of the mind, so that your true self can shine through.” – Marisa Howard
With a brand new year in full swing, many of us are feeling the multi-directional pull of commitments, career, resolutions, and family. Often, it helps to learn how our fellow females rise to the challenge.
Welcome to Face Time. DFW Style Daily’s exclusive series goes beyond the runways to get to know top Dallas models on a personal level. Our interviews with Carlotta Lennox, Sirisha Reddy, Atti Worku, Tracy Ripsin, Tiffany Hendra, Christina Reed, and many more, have captured the attention of thousands. They’ve also proved, beyond a doubt, that Dallas-based models are among the most fascinating and accomplished in the country.
Today, we’ll meet one very busy and balanced beauty. Following the launch of her lifestyle blog, Marhow, just months ago, Marisa Howard also announced an adorable upcoming addition to her family. As she nurtures her career, her new website, and prepares to meet her baby girl, this model mom-to-be strikes a pose to maintain focus. Read on for the scoop:
Name: Marisa Howard
Hometown: Dallas, Texas
Agency: The Campbell Agency
Notable Clients: Nhã Khanh, SkinCeuticals, Mary Kay Cosmetics, JCPenney, Neiman Marcus, American Airlines, Stanley Korshak, The Dallas Opera
Website: www.marhow.net
DFW Style Daily: At what age did you begin modeling? Were you scouted or did you pursue modeling and acting as a career?
Marisa Howard: I began modeling when I was 19 years old, and a dance major at the University of Texas at Austin. I went to an open call at The Campbell Agency in Dallas, and was offered a contract that afternoon.”
Tell us about a lesson you have learned from your work in the fashion industry.
“I’ve learned that, in an industry based on physical appearances, looks can actually only take you so far. The girls who succeed are professional, confident, and they know how to move and take direction. Clients like to work with models who are on time, prepared, and have personality on set. It definitely makes the day go by faster!”
What is the craziest, silliest, or most unusual thing you have ever done on an assignment?
“I’ve been asked to do ‘parts modeling,’ involving isolating various body parts for photography, and the positions you have to hold can be very tricky. Back when I was shooting the Look Book for Neiman Marcus, I can’t tell you how many times I had to lay on the floor or hang off an elevated set to get an artistic leg shot in a shoe or boot. I would also have to dangle a heavy handbag delicately off a finger, without making my muscles look strained. My dance upbringing definitely paid off in those moments.”
As with several of the models we have interviewed, you have a career focus outside the field, as well. Tell us about your new blog, Marhow.
“I launched my lifestyle website three months ago, and I have really enjoyed working on it. Although I worked in fashion for a decade, I didn’t want to create a blog based solely on fashion. I envisioned a site of substance, that combines all of the things that I am interested in, from wellness to style, travel, and home design. The site has also become a platform for me to share the charitable causes I am involved in with my readers, and inform them about how they can get involved. So far, it’s been a wonderful experience, and I’ve especially enjoyed all the collaborations that have been presented to me.”
How do you hope to inspire your readers through your new site?
“I hope my readers are inspired to try something new, or to take on a healthy approach that they would not have otherwise considered. My content has been pretty varied, so I hope to provide something of interest for all tastes. Everything I write is my sole opinion, and I only write when I’m inspired to do so. I’m simply not wired to be on the computer or social media daily, so I hope that my readers are understanding of the fact that I post when the inspiration comes. I hope that they appreciate the authenticity of my site.”
Also very exciting in your life is the upcoming birth of your first child. Congratulations! How are the preparations going?
“Thank you so much! My husband and I are beyond excited to be having a baby girl this summer. We feel so blessed, and we can’t wait to meet her. As far as preparations go, there’s quite a bit of work to be done. We’ve been living in a high-rise building with our two German Shepherds, but we’ll be sprucing up a new home over the next few months, so that we’re settled in time for her arrival.”
What has been the most surprising aspect of pregnancy, so far?
“So far, the most surprising aspect has been dealing with so-called ‘pregnancy brain.’ I’ve had moments wherein I have completely forgotten what I was doing. I even left my credit card and my purse on the back of my chair at a restaurant recently. Thankfully, I remembered and retrieved them both.”
What qualities do you hope your little one gets from your husband? From you?
“I hope that she inherits my husband’s entrepreneurial spirit and ambition. He has such a strong work ethic, and I am amazed by what he can accomplish in a short period of time. From me, I hope she gets the artistic sensibilities that I inherited from my mother, and that she shares my love of art and ballet. My husband also hopes she shares his love of golf!”
Do you have any special talents or interests? Surprise us!
“I’ve been practicing yoga for many years now, and it has really changed my outlook on life. My daily focus is on finding balance and staying present to enjoy all that life has to offer. I believe that yoga calms the whirling of the mind, so that your true self can shine through.
“Last year, I had the privilege of receiving my teacher training certification under yoga instructors Cheryl Oliver and Julie Boyd. Since then, I’ve taught private classes, and I just recently led a class at an event that I hosted for the American Heart Association. I enjoy posting insights about yoga on my website, and I am fortunate to have teacher and artist Gina Dunn as Marhow’s yoga contributor.”
Do you have any guilty pleasures?
“I do love to indulge in French cuisine and sweets from time to time, especially now that I’m pregnant.”
Finally, what was the last book you read that made a big impact on you?
I’m currently reading The Gentle Birth Method by Dr. Gowri Motha, which has impacted my thoughts on preparing for childbirth. My girlfriend introduced me to the author, and I was intrigued by Gowri’s philosophies on how our bodies are designed to be able to give birth naturally. I’m hoping that, with the proper preparation and nutrition, I can give it a go.”
All images, courtesy of Marisa Howard and The Campbell Agency.
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