Meet Shammae Shackleford | Model & Business Manager/Marketer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Shammae Shackleford and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shammae, what habits do you feel play an important role in your life?
I pride myself in having a solid work ethic, so if I am not able to physically make myself known, I always go behind the scenes and connect with others who share the same interests and passions that I do. I also make sure that I do something modeling related every day, even if it is a small or seemingly unimportant task it gets done. Just because you may not see me outside or on social platforms practicing runway or uploading content does not mean that I am not busy. I mass produce emails to send to designers I have interest in working with, I reach out to casting directors and alert them that I am not just a model, I can be put to use for event coordination and planning and even marketing efforts if needed. I show up 100% authentically myself and constantly seek out new experiences to expand my knowledge and find the avenue that I truly belong in.
 

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Since it is only my second year modeling I sometimes feel I have not done much or made much progress, but looking back I have had substantial growth and progress, and have been able to open doors to opportunities that I would never have thought were available to me. My first year of modeling consisted of photoshoots, becoming comfortable on set and on camera, trying new poses and styles and building a portfolio. I then started learning more about runway, the casting process, how to create a comp card, how to walk, refining my walk based on feedback and other inspiring models walks and booking shows. I also found my way in a few music videos, which can be really fun in my opinion, but I do not 100% feel that is the lane for me. However, I was able to land a role as an extra for a Swae Lee and Chase B music video which was monumental to me considering I really like the music that those artists create. I was also booked for a promotional gig for Sexyy Red which is my favorite gig to this day since she is another artist whose craft I seriously respect and have been listening to for years. With a year in runway experience, I have been able to book over 10 shows with my favorite being Ft. Lauderdale Fashion week where I got the opportunity to walk for my friend Sariai who is an extremely talented designer. My next venture is to book as many shows as I can for Miami Swim Week, and after that my immediate next goal is booking for New York Fashion Week. As much as I enjoy the journey, it definitely gets difficult. It’s not every time you’ll land a gig, and sometimes you do not even know when’s the next time you’ll get booked which can get discouraging if you are actively and consistently applying for gigs, showing up to castings, inquiring to brands about working with them and seemingly making no progress. My best advice to anyone aspiring in this field is to take rejection as redirection, and understand that you will not be the desired fit for every gig you may apply to. It is also important to find your niche, what best works for you and tap entirely into that as it may be your opening to stardom. Lastly, do not let anyone change you or try to convince you to do anything that does not align with you, at the end of the day you are representing yourself and should only go in spaces where you are comfortable, respected and celebrated and always remember: if it feels wrong it most likely is. The more time I spend modeling, the more I learn about the craft while also building my confidence, enhancing my fashion sense and connecting with others who share the same interests, passions and even experiences that I have. My ultimate goal is to break barriers within the modeling sphere and make it more attainable and believable that models with tattoos, piercings or any other body modification can be successful in a world that glamorizes and prioritizes the “blank slate” look as opposed to others who have covered their body in art, and I feel that in my short span I have been able to impact others, shake their doubts on themselves modeling and even convince them to pursue the journey and see where it takes them.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
The city of Miami bubbles and bursts with art, music, fashion and food from every angle and if given the chance to create an itinerary for the perfect week long trip, it would first start with an early morning beach day, watching the sun rise. Later in the day we can explore a museum, the ICA museum has been my favorite as of right now, and grab a bite from the Hibachi Miami food truck in North Miami. The next couple days can be spent exploring nature, I personally enjoy walking and try to get to 10,000 steps (roughly 5 miles) when I do go for a walk or can be spent at a botanical garden if that is too much walking. After the festivities commence we can get food from Flanigans, one of my go to restaurants where I typically order their grilled Atlantic salmon, and catch up on the latest trending Netflix series or rewatch favorites. The next day can be spent showing them a day in my life as a model if it interests them, taking them along to a casting, shoot, or gig so they can see what life is like from my perspective. After that I would definitely take them to Vice City, an underground community that showcases local Miami/Broward musicians and provides others with the safe space to express themselves through fashion, music and art. Another place I would recommend, especially if they are into the rave scene is Domicile, it is an extremely inclusive space that welcomes people from all walks of life and they gather to dance, listen to local deejays showcase their talent and connect with other people in the safe space they have created for the community. The next day can be spent doings arts and crafts activities such as painting, learning pottery, or making candles at the many workshops that are offered throughout the city. My last recommendation would be the Joint of Miami in Wynwood. It is an event space that typically hosts hip-hop, R&B and underground events and is filled with local artists, musicians, fashion socialites and more.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
As a model, it is extremely important to have a support system in place because it can get discouraging at times if you are not getting consistent work. Having a network of people that not only care about you but support you and show up for you when pursuing your dreams can make or break a persons success and I am thankful to every single person that supports, appreciates and looks out for me while I navigate through the industry and build my career experience. I would first like to thank my parents for being there for me, showing up to shows, financially supporting my many ventures all over Miami when going to castings, buying modeling gear like heels, makeup or any other essential items and also helping fund the plethora of shoots I’ve done and have planned for the future. Thank you for supporting me as I navigate through my career and I am extremely grateful for all that has been done for me to chase my dream and succeed. Next I would like to thank everyone that I have worked with, I could not reach all of this success by myself as there is a large network of photographers/videographers, fellow models, brands, designers, casting directors and agents and more who all have worked with me and helped get me to where I am now. Lastly, I would like to extend this Shout Out to my Great Grandmother Pearl. She was a remarkable woman with a keen fashion sense, and lived her life authentically and powerfully. Everyone who knew her had only pleasant things to say about her and have always mentioned how impactful and helpful she was if they were in need. Selfless, caring, kind beyond words, she was an absolute flower of a being and is who I dedicate my entire modeling journey to. Before she passed I made a promise to her that I would make it on T.V. and although I was not able to accomplish that goal in the way I feel it needs to be done, I will continue to push myself, show up wherever I need to be and fulfill my end of the promise.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shammaeeeee/

Image Credits
Credits in order: Shammae Shackleford
Erika Kolakowski Marla McLeod Steven Knight/SBSK Productions Juan Castillo Berry E. Britany Dawson Tesh S.