Rising Stars: Meet Tessie Dade

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tessie Dade. 

Hi Tessie, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
I always seemed to find myself in creative spaces one way or another throughout my childhood. From art classes to dance-related extracurricular activities even down to community events I attended growing up, I can see where my love for art and creativity was cultivated. When I was 16, I was approached by a photographer friend of mine at a wedding, who asked to do a shoot with me. As nervous as I was about that shoot, I was also really excited because I had always dreamt of modeling but it was never an opportunity, I thought I could encounter. After receiving photos from the shoot and doing some self-reflection about the whole experience, I was eager to take more pictures and see myself on camera like that. With motivation from the same photographer friend, I begun shooting more with him over the next couple years; polishing my craft and learning various modeling tricks from him as he was a really great coach. It wasn’t until 3 years later in 2018, when I decided I was ready to take modeling serious. I got into a Facebook group (for Ohio models and photographers) and made a post stating I was looking to build my portfolio. The status post did very well in generating interest from local photographers. It was then that I actually begun networking, practicing, and dedicating myself to this career path of a freelance model instead of just shooting for fun like I did with my friend. Since then, I’ve been going back and forth with myself on if I wanted to be signed to an agency to get higher-paying gigs or to stick to freelancing so I can have my freedom and control of my journey. I always chose my freedom when I came to that crossroad and that is what has led me here. Till today, I am more than confident in my decision to not sign to an agency as I can see how much growth I have encountered so far not only in my modeling career but in the whole scope of creativity in my life. I see the life I created for myself and with as much knowledge and experience I have acquired I see how much of an influence I have been in my community. Over the years, I have been a part of many major and minor productions all around the Cincinnati area and even in Columbus, Dayton, and Cleveland. Through these events I have built a name for myself simply by being the best version of myself when I’m in these spaces; granting me more opportunities to enhance my career and get into the spaces I need and want to be in. 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has certainly not been a smooth road at all. I’ve dealt with many challenges within myself and within the industry that I had to overcome. 

My self-esteem was challenged many times when I would see other models around me post-shoot after shoot and I would question if there was even a place for me in the industry. I can recall seeing other models who were more comfortable with their body get more work and I would think to myself “do I need to be more revealing to get booked or what?” Sometimes I would talk so negatively to myself and question if I even knew what I was doing as a model as if I was supposed to be anything different. Thinking back to those times makes me even more proud of my journey and how far I’ve come as I can see the progress I’ve made and the growth of my mindset from what it used to be. 

I also struggled with some of the industry-wide problems that most others face as well. For a model in a city like this, everyone knows there’s limited amount of work compared to the industry in bigger cities like L.A. or NYC. So, finding work is not the most easy thing to do. It gets especially difficult when you’re seeking these paying jobs as a freelancer. Most people I encountered along my journey, especially in the early years were looking to work for free and it was very hard finding people to pay my rates even though felt thatchy were quite reasonable. Things like this really mess with your head in the sense that it makes you question your worth and things like that. It also reverts the process of making it a sustainable business venture which is the goal for most who get into the industry. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Most people will know me as a model but I consider myself a professional creative working as a freelance model, creative makeup artist, fashion stylist, art director, dancer, and choreographer. As a multi-passionate, I channel all my artistic energy into my creative brand, TRANSFORMME. This is a growing agency tailored to offer creative assistance to other artists and creatives in the community. We work with clients on various types of projects like photoshoots, video shoots (for music and other marketing purposes), and shows by offering make-over services, on-set assistance, and artistic direction. 

I spend most of days offering makeup and styling services at a luxury boutique called FETCHVILLE, located in mount healthy. At Fetchville, I have a makeover booth to service clients for makeup and moderate hair styling. I also assist with styling clients who come in to shop for apparel or luxury hair extensions as it is an all-in-one experience at the boutique. 

I’ve worked on various sets modeling and offering creative direction for the past couple years. Other creatives know that when they work with me, I’m sure to have my makeup and hair prepared to match the concept as well as the outfit styling too and I think that’s one thing that sets me apart. I’m proud to acknowledge my artistic eye to see the fashion and styling aspect of creativity as that comes in handy when shooting most creative concepts. Especially as a freelancer, you are typically expected to come hair and makeup ready and styling is often left up to you the model to figure out. Other models typically curve this by making connections with other creatives willing to collaborate and if they don’t have those connections, they are left to pay for those services to be completed elsewhere spending lots of time and money. With my creative eye, I’m able to cut out all that extra work by doing it myself if I wanted to and have it very similar to what we want to work with. This makes it easier to work with me in many aspects and I think that what sets me apart. 

What’s next?
For the next couple years, I’m dedicating my time and effort to making myself better in every way possible; to sharpen all skills I’ve discovered so far, and see how far that takes me. I plan to keep exploring the depths to my creativity through different forms of art because I know I’m a true artist at heart. I hope to work on bigger and better sets with different, fresh ideas and concepts. I plan to grow TRANSFORM ME and someday help others see and think more creatively through that. For now, I will keep offering makeover services at Fetchville while I go on this journey of discovery. 

Pricing:

• modeling rates: $85-$150 per hr
• makeup: $65-$90

Contact Info:

• Website: https://tranformme.com
• Instagram: @tessie.dade and @transformme.me

Image Credits
VictorFox images
Sylvia stahl Photo
TosinShotit
Suwave studios NYC