Riely Alecia Saville is a professional model and dancer from Australia. When we first saw Riely’s modeling portfolio we were really impressed. We were therefore delighted when she agreed to complete an interview for Urbanity Chic so that we had an opportunity to share it with you too. Read the full interview below to find out about some of Riely’s most interesting stories from shoots, how she would define her personal style and what motivates her to do what she does.
Riely Alecia Saville
Riely Alecia Saville
Riely Alecia Saville
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLI70YijRO0
Q: How did you get into fashion modeling?
My friend begged me to enter a “Young Model Discovery” competition with her when I was 15, as she was too scared to do it alone. Unfortunately she didn’t make it, but I ended up winning! Oops :/ … Anyway that paid for my modeling, deportment & catwalk training. But at first I put it aside to train with The Australian Ballet & persue my career as a dancer. Then a few years later, while dancing for Disney in Tokyo, I started dating a gorgeous international model and he inspired me to get back into it again!
Q: How was 2010 for you?
Very busy with both dancing & modeling! The first part of 2010 was spent dancing on a cruise ship, traveling the US, Mexico, Canada, & Alaska! I did an amazing shoot while in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The scenery there is just breathtaking!! Then I came back to Australia & got back into modeling & started my own photographic production company – EPIC Creations. After a few months, Disney called and asked me to move to Hong Kong to play The Little Mermaid! And I did some very exciting photoshoots while there too! It’s a shame I was locked on a contract with Disney while there, as I got offered a lot of exciting modeling jobs! Perhaps I’ll go back there some day & give it go!
Q: Who inspires you?
Anyone who lives life with passion! With love! And with a positive attitude! Anything is possible if you believe in yourself! … Talented people inspire me too! Because I know how much hard work & dedication it takes to master an art form.
Riely Alecia Saville
Riely Alecia Saville
Riely Alecia Saville
Q: Which modern day fashion designers or fashion icons do you look up to?
It’s all about Gwen Stefani for me!! I absolutely adore her style!! It’s oh so glam, yet oh so funky at the same time! I’ve never been one to blend in with the crowd! I like to stand out & rock it out 😉
Q: Do you prefer to shoot on location or in the studio?
I think it was Coco Chanel who said, “A woman does not live on a white background” – and she would be right! I think location shoots are far more interesting! Different textures and colours and depths add so much character to an image and help to create more of a story. Which is much more fun for the creative mind to interpret than a white background 😉
Q: Do you have any interesting stories about a particular photo shoot, or a casting you’d like to share?
One of the most hilarious situations I’ve had to deal with was on location in Shek O, Hong Kong – Which is full of gorgeous rock formations by the ocean. A very popular place for wedding photos! So there I was doing a bridal shoot with a gorgeous male model from Russia, in a massive white dress with multiple layers of tulle & satin. Fully corseted in with hoops tied in underneath the dress to volumize the skirt. After an hour or so I needed to go to the bathroom, but it was too much trouble to take me out of the dress, so I scampered up the rocks trying to hold up this massive dress & they drove me to the closest restrooms – which were squatty potties (the toilets in Asia that are a hole in the ground that you have to squat over & are usually quite dirty)!! – and I had to deal with juggling meters & meters of fabric up above my head, trying to keep it off the ground while trying to go about my business! Not my most glamorous moment! But gosh it would have been a funny sight to see! LOL
Riely Alecia Saville
Riely Alecia Saville
Riely Alecia Saville
Q: How do you prepare for a fashion shoot or show?
I usually try to pack everything I need the night before so I’m ready to go, as I’m not really a morning person. And also try to get a decent amount of sleep before if possible!
Q: Do you have a favourite photograph?
No! My favourites change all the time depending on my mood! And there are too many awesome images out there to choose from!
Q: Who is your favourite photographer?
My favourite photographer at the moment is one I have chosen to go into business with (I’m starting to get behind the other side of the lens now too & help other models with their portfolios!) – TRISTAN PETER. He is from Brisbane, Australia. And I absolutely adore him because not only is he super talented at photography & retouching, but he’s just so laid back & fun & easy to get along with! An absolute dream to work alongside.
Q: Is there anybody you would like to work with?
Yeah!! All the big guns! David LaChapelle & I could do some crazy work together since I’m a Ballerina & a Martial Artist too (I can bend my body in some extreme ways)! LOL! … Mario Testino … Wendell Teodoro is an Aussie photog I would love to work with! His concepts are brilliant!!
Q: What does fashion mean to you?
It’s all about expressing yourself! It’s fun! You can dress to suit your mood. And a killer outfit can totally boost your confidence & make you feel like a million dollars!
Riely Alecia Saville
Riely Alecia Saville
Riely Alecia Saville
Q: How would you define your personal style?
Glam Rock! … I always like to look glamorous – red lips, Marilyn curls – But I love to be a little wild & different too!
Q: Where are you based?
That’s a good question! Haha … I would say Australia, but then I only ever seem to be here for a few months a year! The world is my oyster 😉
Q: What’s it like being where you’re from?
Australia is such a beautiful, amazing country! I’m so lucky to have grown up in a place full of such beautiful landscapes – sun, surf & sand, that is safe and where I have been free to follow my dreams.
Riely Alecia Saville
Riely Alecia Saville
Riely Alecia Saville - Acid Black Cherry CD Cover
Q: What’s been the highlight of your career to date?
Probably in Tokyo, shooting the CD Cover for a Japanese Rock Band called ACID BLACK CHERRY! I totally got treated like a superstar, as it was just me & the lead singer of the band in the shoot. I had about 7 assistants fussing over me the whole time, making sure I always had a fluffy bathrobe & slippers, and a chair & a glass of water in between cuts! LOL … Then I had to jump into a bubble bath with this rockstar in a frilly bikini & lick cream off his face! Crazy but fun! haha
Q: What are you hoping to achieve in 2011?
I’m really hoping my photographic production company – EPIC Creations – will take off & I’ll get to work on lots of exciting projects with lots of amazing models & talented industry professionals! J
Q: What do you do to relax?
Whenever I’m super stressed out I just jump in my car and drive! Either down to the ocean & sit in the sand watching the waves, or out to the rainforest – walking through the beautiful big trees instantly calms me & makes me happy.
Q: What songs are on your ipod at the moment?
I love electronica! So lots of Armin Van Buuren, Tiesto, Pendulum, Dirty Laundry, etc! Also love Black Eyed Peas & Evanescence on the more commercial side of things. And Adele & Jessie J just blow my mind!!
Riely Alecia Saville
Riely Alecia Saville
Riely Alecia Saville
Q: Do you have interesting hobbies?
I absolutely love Martial Arts! I’ve dabbled in a bunch of them – Taekwon-Do, Karate, Chi Gong, Tai Chi, Tong Long (Praying Mantis Style) Kung Fu, Wing Chun & Hung Gar Kung Fu. I was lucky enough to be invited to train with movie producer, Bey Logan, and his Sifu (teacher) in Hong Kong! J … I also love all forms of dance! And anything to do with photographic production – producing massive shoots, doing hair & make up, styling, etc! Electric skateboarding is mad fun too!
Q: If you could give a little piece of advice for new or aspiring models what would it be?
First of all, believe in yourself! It’s important to make sure you feel beautiful on the inside, not just the outside, as it’s such a fickle industry & you have to be able to deal with a lot of knockbacks. Then if you’ve got the look, it’s just practice makes perfect! The more you shoot & the more you pose, you get used to what angles work best for your body and your face & then you can rock it! It’s important to be committed & focused, but have fun too! 😉
Q: What motivates you to do what you do?
Since I was three years old I’ve been performing on stage & dabbling in all things creative! I’ve always been very motivated. I just pick a goal & make it happen! J
Q: Is there anything else you’d like to let our readers know about?
Yes! Please check out my company, EPIC Creations on Facebook! We specialize in photographic production, portfolios, choreography, events and talent casting!
LINK: http://www.facebook.com/pages/EPIC-Creations/171294049598629
Riely Alecia Saville
Riely Alecia Saville
Riely Alecia Saville
Editor’s Note: Riely Saville has an array of talents in the entertainment industry that has made her incredibly sought after. We’re sure that Riely’s career will continue to go from strength to strength and we will follow it with interest at Urbanity Chic.
If you’d like to learn more about, contact or see more of Riely Alecia Saville’s work just follow the links below:
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Riely-Alecia-Saville-Dancer-Model/158454897507047
web page link: http://www.rielysaville.com
Youtube embeds: SHOW REEL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLI70YijRO0
Model Mayhem: http://www.modelmayhem.com/RielyAlecia
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