“I stayed consistent with content, sent out emails daily, made sure I was respectful, and took myself seriously. I made it my job.”

You ever met someone and their energy was so pure and positive that you literally only want them to be happy and live a blessed life, for the rest of their life?! Makayla London is one of those beings. Or Mvkdre, which is the name she goes by on her social media accounts. Why you may ask? We’ll have to wait for a 2nd interview for that answer. But, it’s weird that I can feel these things, but it’s the truth, her heart is as pure as ever. It’s hard to believe that this beauty has literally just begun modeling this year in March! I know for a fact by this time next year, she will have well over 200K followers on Instagram and will be so poppin in the industry. But don’t think it’s been all glitz and glam for the one and only Mvkdre. Keep reading to to learn how real her come up is and honestly, it’s just the beginning for her.

http://www.mvkdre.com/

Instagram: @mvkdre

If you were any dessert that described your personality what would you be and why?

If I was a dessert… Wow, this is a messed up question because I LOVE all sweets. It’s kind of an issue. But, if I was one dessert, I would most likely be Dulce de Leche Gelato. Maybe with a miniature churro as some garnish, (because I’m low-key extra).  It’s just so elegant, smooth, and underrated. You don’t need a whole lot to be satisfied. A definite v rare treat.

Share with us some of your beauty secrets. Your face is flawless and I can’t deal with your lashes <3!!

This is so sweet! Thank you! I’m a huge believer in keeping your face clean. I wash my face about 2-3 times a day, and try not to wear makeup longer than 10 hours. Honestly, I have quite oily skin, so I try to keep it clear with some general acne face soap, rubbing alcohol, and moisturizer. I’m often bare-faced throughout the weekdays, just to give my skin some breathing room. This summer, my lashes have been all thanks to the wonderful girls at Go Blush Yourself in Santa Monica. They’re awesome with lash extensions. When I don’t have those on, I’m really addicted to falsies. My favorites are the Salon Perfect 614’s.

“It’s (modeling) always a path I wanted to pursue – but at that specific time I was hesitant, and truthfully unsure how to get started. Thankfully, I have an AMAZING support system who really reassured my aspirations.”

What is something exclusive about you that your supporters would never guess?

Oh, this is a good one. To be honest, I am guilty of snorting really loud when something is hilarious. It’s a rare occurrence, but that’s how you know my laugh is real. It always makes people around me laugh harder, which makes me laugh harder, and it’s just a cycle of giggling mixed with not breathing for 5 minutes.

“We must remind ourselves of the dream, the goal, and how bad do you want it. I remind myself that I want it more than anyone. That keeps me going.”

You have many photos without box braids however I think your braids are becoming a part of you. They really help define your personal look. Is this intentional or do we just not have time to deal with our hair (I understand the feeling, lol)? & let the people know where they can get their hair done at in LA.

Yes! My braids are so dear to me. I tried them out about a year ago, and truthfully never felt more like myself. My natural hair is quite kinky, and dry – so having it tamed by braids for a couple weeks definitely takes a load off my shoulders (pun intended). I love my curls, but box braids are hands down my favorite protective style. I’m really blessed because my momma does them for me, actually! She’s been doing my hair since I could remember. I always recommend @creativexhands to anyone who wants braids in LA – she’s so talented.

You’re literally one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever seen. It’s only natural you became a model. How did you first break in to the modeling industry?

Girl! You are so nice, I’m so humbled. Thank you so much!

I get asked this question often, and it’s something I feel is my duty to share! I started independent modeling in March, 2016. (I’m quite new!) It’s always a path I wanted to pursue – but at that specific time I was hesitant, and truthfully unsure how to get started. Thankfully, I have an AMAZING support system who really reassured my aspirations.

I was working at a restaurant, checking Instagram on my down time – one of my favorite photographers (Nailah Howze, @cloudnaiii) posted that she wanted to shoot a fresh face that day. Mind you, I was REALLY hesitant, because I thought I was inexperienced, therefore I wouldn’t be qualified. I gathered some courage, messaged her, and set up a location to meet later that day. I had one outfit, (it was a black dress with some Nikes – typical me), and came with some fierce eyeliner + purple lip gloss. Long story short, I was welcomed with so much encouragement from Nailah – she really believed in me after telling her about myself. It was surreal because I admired her work ethic, and vision so much… for her to feel inspired by me meant the world. Nailah is now one of my really good friends, we keep in touch all the time while she’s up in the Bay. She motivates me, and we share a bond that can’t fully be explained. Nailah is one of my sisters, one hundred.

Since that day in March, I followed suit. Reaching out to more, and more photographers whose work I admired. Some would reject, others would accept – I began to build my portfolio on a website I built off Squarespace (www.mvkdre.com). I stayed consistent with content, sent out emails daily, made sure I was respectful, and took myself seriously. I made it my job. Now, brands and photographers reach out to me! I’m making my own money, book my own shoots, and have total creative say in my work. I’ve been so blessed by God to be where I am at this exact moment. To be taken seriously as an independent model in Los Angeles. I hope my story can lift others to go for their dreams.

“I think everything I’ve been blessed with is a direct result from me accepting my true being. People can see when you love you. It makes them love you, too.”

A caption under one of your Instagram posts says that it took a long time for your self confidence to grow to what it is now. Why do you believe it was so low at one point and what did you to help it grow to what it is now? A lot of women share the same self esteem problem and it’s possible your story may help them overcome it.

There was a time in my life, during about 15-18 years old, that I really struggled with my self-image. I’m a very private person, speaking on this is hard, but simultaneously rewarding because I know I’m spreading insight. I believe it was so low at that time, because I had a horrible habit of comparing myself to other women. I wanted to change attributes about myself to fit in – I hated my hair, my physique, my personality quirks. I wanted to be like all the other girls, while putting myself down in comparison to them. Growing up, there wasn’t too many other females I knew who I could resonate with physically. I felt different, but mistook ‘different’ for unappealing. I never spoke about my insecurities, and played them off by acting fine. That’s a hard place to be in. When I was 18, I was fortunate enough to travel to Honolulu, Hawaii after I graduated high school. I credit this trip to have changed my entire psyche. For the first time, something clicked in me where I began to enjoy my different attributes, embrace them even. So much that, I even cut off all my hair up to my chin. I swore to myself I wouldn’t change who I am for anyone anymore – I thrived in the fact that I was ME! No one else. I fell in love with someone I tried to suppress for so long. I think everything I’ve been blessed with is a direct result from me accepting my true being. People can see when you love you. It makes them love you, too. I try to be thankful for all the little things, like how I can read, how I can see, how I can walk… It really changes your life when you fill your days with being thankful for the small things.

“I’m building a path for young people who have substance, innovation, who have a voice. I’m doing it for all the kids who believe they are more to society.”

When you’re feeling doubtful in your career or stuck on what’s going to be your next move, what are something’s you do to overcome that?

I just had this conversation with my boyfriend! I actually asked him this question, because I was feeling doubtful and stuck. His answer was amazing, and inspired me! He said to remind yourself of the BIG goal. What’s it really that you’re working towards? A home, financial stability, a family? Anything that makes chills go down your spine. The type of goals where you almost believe they’re too good to be true… but they’re not. They’re achievable. They’re yours! We deal with little obstacles in our day-to-day’s; they can be distracting from the real reason we started the path we’re on. We must remind ourselves of the dream, the goal, and how bad do you want it. I remind myself that I want it more than anyone. That keeps me going.

You have a very similar look to model Chantel Jeffries. Please don’t take that the wrong way, you two are both beautiful! I see you glowing up to be bigger than hair. You have it! Anything that we can look forward from you in the future?

This is really nice of you! Chantel is banging! I appreciate your belief in me so much.

My life has changed dramatically from even two weeks ago, I’m always pushing to reach new heights. One thing I can say to look forward to from me is: a different kind of role model. I’m working on paving a path for young girls/boys to travel for years after me. A path where you’re welcomed for your quirks, work ethic, creative juice, and resilience. I’m building a path for young people who have substance, innovation, who have a voice. I’m doing it for all the kids who believe they are more to society. So I hope y’all stay tuned!

Okay Makayla you just met your younger self, what advice would you give to her?

I would tell little ol’ me to not worry, to never question if I’ll make it. The vision I had when I was a child has all started to come true. I would tell her to never dim her light, for it’s her tool, and ultimate purpose in this life – to spread joy.

Anything else you would like to add….

I am so thankful that someone as cool as you, Chlea, wanted to hear from me. I appreciate what you do for women, + the confidence you ooze. Thank you for having me – this won’t be the last time 🙂