The world of fashion is filled with many young women who aspire to work in the industry, the allure of being featured in major publications, walking the runway, and working with iconic brands. Like the entertainment industry, dealing with rejection is the hardest part. Spending significant time in preparation for a shoot for a potential brand campaign can be very time-consuming, and having the brand decided to go with another model can be disappointing to an aspiring model. 

Rebecca Mardikes, currently a leading model in the U.S., was fortunate to ascend in the industry. Mardikes started modeling for fun when she was 18, it came naturally to her and she enjoyed the process. However, she never dreamed of being in the position she is today. 

Mardikes grew up in the Midwest, she lives the life of a typical girl, participating in sorority events and playing sports. Mardikes decided to pursue academics, getting both her bachelor’s and master’s degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Mardikes was fortunate to be a gifted writer, so she got her master’s in journalism at the University of Missouri-Columbia, recognized as the best journalism program in the country. She finished her master’s when she was just 22 years old, an age when a majority of students are just wrapping up their bachelor’s degree.

Mardikes was able to thrive in every space she tried her hand at, deciding to ultimately move to New York City, where she landed a job as a fashion publicist at a top PR firm. Working in PR was instrumental to her fashion career as she had fashion placement in some of the biggest publications around, from Forbes 30 Under 30, Vogue, Vanity Fair, In Style, Harpers-Bazaar, and ELLE Magazine. During her time in PR, Mardikes did modeling and social media partnerships with some of the top beauty and fashion brands like Express, Maybelline, Lee Jeans, Athleta, Drunk Elephant, Lucky Brand, and Edition Hotels. She also did private modeling for one of her favorite designers, Rebecca Minkoff.

Everything flowed naturally for Mardikes, her smooth transition to becoming a model was atypical for the industry, regardless, she was able to reach her desired destination. Mardikes has been featured in big events like Miami Swim Week, Paris Fashion Week, New York Fashion Week, and many others. If you are a fashion enthusiast, make sure to look out for Mardikes in your favorite magazines or fashion events, as she is a name that is sure to be a mainstay in the industry for the foreseeable future.

To learn more or see some of Mardikes’ work, check out her Instagram @RebeccaMardikes