Model Dominique Castelano Paves The Way For Inclusivity & Accessibility In The Fashion Industry
Name.
Dominique Castelano.
Where are you located?
New York City.
What inspired you to become a fashion model and creative?
As a Southeast Asian Trans person of experience, I do not see enough trans and queer models of color represented in the industry. I am constantly the only Asian person on set and the only trans Southeast Asian person in the building. I wanted to change this narrative and challenge the existing standards of beauty through my art and my work as a fashion model.
How has your background and hometown influenced your fashion career?
I always pull inspiration from my heritage and from where I came from. The small town I grew up in in the Philippines inspires me to stay grounded while working in the industry. Representing Queer Asian Persons of Color and challenging the white-centric binary space that we move in brings me a lot of pride in the work that I do.
You’ve collaborated with a number of different brands. What is one of your favorite experiences and why?
I tend to not pick favorites, but if I had to choose, I would say being the face of the newest Marc Jacob’s Heaven campaign has been a dream come true. The way my community has taken this as a celebration of all of us being finally represented in the industry has been one of the most rewarding experiences for me.
You have also collaborated and worked with POSE. How did your journey with POSE begin, and how has it shaped your career?
I have always been interested in acting and portraying a character. While modeling has given me opportunities to embody different characters, playing Midnight in Pose allowed me to immerse myself fully in a character. It opened more doors for me not only in the modelling industry but also in the LGBTQIA+ community with the chance to meet and connect with different LGBTQIA+ icons and trailblazers.
How has New York Fashion Week influenced your career?
As a Trans Asian woman, I have dreamed of and longed for representation of people who looked like me on the NYFW runway. To be able to be that representation for younger generations of LGBTQIA+ people of color is an honor and a privilege. LGBTQIA+ youth in Asia, like my younger sister (Aiz Castelano), who also identifies as a transgender woman of experience, is able to have a chance to see themselves in fashion and media. NYFW has influenced my career by normalizing trans women on the runway, which allows for the normalization of trans women in other mediums of fashion.
You have greatly been supported by and of the LGBTQ community, which is amazing. Describe how being supportive of the community has helped you become a better person for both yourself and your career.
My community has greatly impacted my self-love and confidence, I feel that they stand up for me and we all help raise each other up. We encourage each other, we make sure that we do our part so that we’re not only empowering our own self-love but also the lives, the loves, and the dreams of everyone in our community.
Do you have any role models in the modeling and fashion industry? If so, who?
I’m lucky to call my best friends my role models: Jari Jones, Aaron Philipps, and Casil McArthur have been my support system through this whole journey.
How would you describe your vision and aesthetic of fashion?
My vision of fashion is one that is inclusive and accessible. I want to see a disabled trans South Asian person walk the runway or a non-binary Muslim individual shine in a fashion campaign.
You have a unique sense of style. What advice would you recommend to young men and women to stay true to themselves and style?
This is definitely a chance to talk about our footprint not just in fashion but also in the environment. I have been an active advocate for shopping vintage, pre-owned and/or thrifted items that otherwise would end up in the trash and in landfills. Do not be afraid to check out small thrift shops or vintage stores around your neighborhood because that is where I find most of my treasure pieces in my closet. Also, do not let the binary of shopping only on the” male” department or the “women’s” department hinder you from exploring your true sense of style.
How do you plan on changing the narrative for young fashion creatives?
I practice this by constantly inviting my peers to collaborate and join our movement and by aligning our passions with our purpose to see a truly more exciting and inclusive industry. I want to continue to remind young fashion creatives to keep following the leaders of the BIPOC LGBTQIA+ community to normalize seeing queer POC folks in your media feeds and to help boost the liberation of all oppressed people.
What goals do you have for your career in the future?
To diversify the standards of beauty and continue to be the voice for all underrepresented, Queer, Trans, Asian, and/or Filipinos all over the world.
What is your motto in life?
Be obedient, to the call of the dream.
Website? Social media?
I have Instagram and twitter as @dominiquevc_ and a Facebook page, Dominique Castelano.
Interview by Alison Hernon, Editor-In-Chief, PhotoBook Magazine
