Many of us experience the occasional spark of creativity. Sometimes, for a lucky few, those sparks catch fire.

 

  Welcome to Face Time. DFW Style Daily’s exclusive series goes beyond the runways and glossy magazines to get to know top Dallas models on a personal level. Today, we’ll venture into the mind of one of the hottest faces on the scene, a young muse igniting talent across a range of artistic disciplines. Owing her striking features to half Armenian, half Norwegian heritage, Loren Kavo doesn’t much care whether you think she’s pretty. No, Kavo’s more concerned with authenticity, self-expression, and giving her work her all. Read on to learn more about this rising and surprising Dallas model.  

  Name: Loren Kavo Hometown: Champagne, Illinois Agency: The Dragonfly Agency Notable Clients: Nicole Kwon Concept Store, Mario Alberto Designs, Inner. Orbit. Systems. by Yasmina Johnston, DFW Style Daily   DFW Style Daily: At what age did you begin modeling? Were you scouted or did you pursue modeling as a career? Loren Kavo: “I have wanted to be an actress and performer since about the age of three, but I would have never considered I could be a model. When I was 15, I was at the Parks Mall in Arlington with my best friend, and I entered a modeling competition hosted by a well-known agency in Dallas. The agency contacted me, but after that I swayed away from the idea, and focused on my other arts. I went back and forth with it starting again at age 19, but finally began putting a lot of focus on modeling in the last two and a half years.”   What is the craziest, silliest, or most unusual thing you have ever done on a shoot? “I am the worst person to ask, because I don’t find many things silly or unusual! To me, everything is an exciting experience, and there is so much to learn and feel in every second. I have the most fun while shooting by creating characters and telling stories through images.”  

  Tell us about a meaningful lesson you have learned from working in the fashion industry.  “I have learned not take anything personally. [It’s important] to know yourself in mind, body, and soul; to love your flaws, and see the raw beauty that you were created in. I have been at a place in my life for quite some time in which I do not care what others think of me. I will still, of course, show respect to their opinions. I can receive praise, or someone can attempt to tear me down, and it means nothing, because I know myself better than anyone. This brings me unbelievable joy and energy in all areas of my life. It has also brought so much creativity to my work, and made for an amazing comfort level at shoots and castings. “I also always do my best, and give 100 percent of myself to everything that I do. I would not say that I learned these lessons from modeling, in particular, but I have used them in the modeling field.”  

  You’ve worked with many local designers here in North Texas. As a supporter of our local scene, are there any groups or individuals on your ‘wish list’ for the future? “I can say honestly that Yasmina Johnston, Mario Alberto Gallegos, Charles Smith II, Binzario Couture, and a few other local designer are going places. The passion and creativity behind a lot of the designers in Dallas is amazing, so I do look forward to working with them more in the future. But, of course, I also have big dreams of working with international brands such as Halston, Alexander Wang, Marchesa, Balmain, Givenchy, and Prada.”   Do you have a role model? What have you learned from his or her example? “My role model is every single person who does not give up through struggle, who has passion and dedication towards their dreams, gives love selflessly to those around them, and realizes that the simplicity in life is what is important.”  

  What do you wear when nobody is looking? “I am always wearing whatever is on my mind that day. I am inspired by Johnny Cash, David Bowie, Wu Tang, and Erin Wasson. I have an obsession with lingerie, but sadly, you can’t wear it out in public. I have a few pieces that I have actually worn in public, though!”   Would you ever consider plastic surgery? Why or why not? “It is definitely not for me. I am fine with my flaws and my strange looks, and I try not to focus on how I look too much. I have no problem with others doing it, but I do think that plastic surgery should be well thought out, if one chooses to do it.”  

  What was the last book you read that made a big impact on you? “Nothing has made an impact on me like The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. I also just finished Paulo Coelho’s Eleven Minutes. I am a book nerd.”   Do you have any hidden talents or interests? Surprise us! “Well, I will keep my hidden talents hidden! My interests include criminal psychology and astronomy, and I am a actress, writer, singer, and artist. In fact, I was recently featured in a music video by Plain Jane Frances, Tony Q, and Corn, entitled The Way. I had the best time filming with these artists.”  

  Finally, when you’re not working, how would you spend a free 24-hours in Dallas? “Volunteering, shooting film, shooting street film photography, live music, writing, exploring, painting, laying in the grass by the water, Frisbee, bike riding, Perot Museum, wandering with good company, singing and dancing erratically everywhere, lots of laughing, copious amounts of whiskey and coffee. I’d end it by driving absolutely nowhere, and then exploring and laughing some more.”   All images courtesy of Loren Kavo.