Rising Stars: Meet LaQuanshé Bond

Today we’d like to introduce you to LaQuanshé Bond.

Hi LaQuanshé, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Growing up I always admired those such as Tyra Banks and Eva Marcille as supermodels, though I never thought that modeling would be in my future. It took a while to discover what my true passions were. As a high school student, I thought that I would be a record-breaking track Olympian. In college, I gravitated towards dance and thought I could be a professional dancer. Then, life settled in, and I began to have a “normal” job. I worked in sales and marketing for over a decade, not chasing after any creative work because I didn’t think that I would ever truly thrive in it. As the years go by, I am now a mother of one son, and as far as a day job goes, I have a career in Medical Technology as a consultant for Inside Sales. A couple of years ago, I started off my modeling journey as a hobby to help aspiring photographers build up their portfolios by allowing them to use me as their muse. From the few photoshoots I did in a year’s time and seeing how photogenic I was on camera; I was encouraged by family and friends that I should actually take modeling seriously. Fast forward to today, I’m signed to the mother agency, Elan Model Management (EMM) located in Charlotte, NC. I have learned how to walk in a traditional runway fashion show and since, have walked in several fashion shows just this year. I have been published in multiple magazines, including Mob Journal, a popular international fashion magazine. With all my accomplishments with modeling so far, my journey is just beginning. Soon I will also be competing in the upcoming SuperModel competition sponsored by VogueModeling Magazine and Mercedes Benz. It’s only up from here! 

This journey hasn’t been easy, but the experience has been one of the greatest that I have ever encountered. I am forever grateful for the exposure, all the workshops, the connections and networking, and all the support from my family and friends. My goal is to continue to learn and grow in the modeling industry by attending more workshops, fashion shows, collaborating with photographers, and maybe in the near future music artists and filmmakers. Now that I’ve got the hang of print and runway next stop commercial! 

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I have always been told that nothing in life worthwhile comes easy, and modeling surely isn’t exempt from that expression. Many times, I have became frustrated, impatient, depressed, financially deprived, you name it! Through it all I put all my energy into vision boards, daily affirmations, fitness and wellness, and practicing, whether it is with catwalks on the runway or posing in the mirror to perfect my work in front of a camera. I have been told numerous times by my manager to be patient when I would receive messages from magazine companies or other agencies wanting to scout me. The excitement sometimes overwhelms me because of how new modeling is for me, and also with the type of personality I have, patience is not my strong suit. However, all of these practices have helped me overcome the struggles and internal battles with myself with this journey in the model world. 

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Though my degree in Kinesiology and my professional career in medical sales does not align with my creative work, it has helped me tremendously with networking and outreach as well as becoming comfortable in a room full of strangers. My professional career also has produced a level of confidence that has become transitional for my modeling career with the works of public speaking and presenting. However, the true secret to my success would be the amount of time I spent learning various dance styles, including ballet, contemporary, jazz, hip-hop, African-Caribbean, and the list goes on. These different styles of dance gave me the versatility and reliance in my photoshoots and runway fashion show walks. Dance gave me the attitude, the demeanor of a superstar to be resilient in the modeling industry. Runway isn’t my favorite sector of the model world, but I am most proud of the improvements I have made in my walk just within a short seven-month period from the time I started earlier this year until now. 

What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was an athletic nerd. I was considered a track star that loved math, writing, health and wellness, and comic book superheroes. I also had a phase in my adolescent years where I was really into piercings, especially the ones on my face, dark clothes-music-movies, and whatever else that had a grunge or emo style. Because of my newfound interest, throughout high school, I grew into having this alternative look, so my peers, as well as the school staff, thought I was “unconventional,” but we all know what they really wanted to call me. At first, looking and being different was an insecurity of mine, but as time passed, I learned to not care about what others thought and to love myself and my appearance regardless of what society deemed as “normal.” I’m confident enough now to know that I was the “Weird Barbie” and to own it! With that confidence, my personality shined through, and everyone noticed. From the exclusive outfits I wore to the eccentric hairstyles I rocked, I was known as “Most Unique” by my peers, and the rest is history. 

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laquanshe/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063847451832
• Other: [email protected]

Image Credits
Josh Williams
Lemoi Desina