Fashion Friends Pursue Modeling Careers, Taking the Catwalk Together
Fashion models Kira Schubert (12) and Roxy Thornton (12) strike a pose at OC Fashion Week. The girls went on to walk down the runway for Anne Fontain’s collection. Thornton opened up about her time with Schubert. “I was very happy because I got to work with some amazing people with Kira. We had so much fun together,” said Thornton. “I think we feed off each other well…we just clicked because we have similar interests and it’s just always been a great friendship.”
October 6, 2022
When an eye for fashion meets a passion for modeling, you get a fashion model. When two fashion models meet, you get a powerhouse friendship. Seniors Roxy Thornton and Kira Schubert are living double lives as students at SJHHS and part-time models. The pair’s friendship has helped transform their goals from academic achievers to credible catwalk careers.
Best friends Thornton and Schubert were destined to meet from the beginning. Their common interest in fashion, dressing up, and design immediately prompted their friendship.
“We’re super similar… we’re like the same person. Kira asked ‘do you want to go shopping?’ and then we hung out every single day after that. We became best friends really quick,” said Thornton.
“The best thing about working together is just getting to be with your best friend and to have someone that you’re comfortable with all the time. She encourages me, and we can build off of each other, so that’s really cool,” said Schubert.
Thornton and Schubert’s most recent gig was OC Fashion Week, where many established fashion designers and brands came to exhibit their pieces. Both girls walked for many shows, representing renowned designers like Anne Fontaine, and Coral Castillo from Project Runway.
“It was a really great experience, it was a great opportunity to just meet new people that work in the industry,” said Schubert.
“I just loved working with Kira, and it was fun that we got to experience that together, because they had a lot of cool opportunities for us,” said Thornton.
This past year, Thornton was signed by Dragon Fly Agency, a private model management company. In the modeling world, joining an agency helps build exposure and book events for aspiring talent.
“They are just like your family- they focus on you and it’s super sweet. They’re going to help me get signed to other [bigger] agencies,” said Thornton.
Meanwhile, Schubert is actively expanding her knowledge of the fashion industry. Besides photoshoots and shows, she is also taking a course on the fundamentals of fashion. Through the class, she will advance her sewing skills, attend different fashion shows, and speak to guest speakers involved in the industry.
The girls both attribute much of their success to the help they have received from their parents.
“They’re super good parents. They are so supportive. My dad drives me to every single thing I am doing, and he takes behind-the-scenes photos for me. My Instagram content- it’s all from him. So it’s kinda fun,” said Thornton.
“Kira’s dad and I are both proud of her for taking the initiative to seek out her goal of modeling and working in the fashion industry. We hope she will be successful and happy pursuing her passion, and we’ll love and support her as she goes after her dream,” said Akemi Schubert, Kira’s mother.
While modeling consumes a lot of the girls’ time, Thornton and Schubert make it a goal to stay on top of their schoolwork as well. They both take steps to stay ahead by pursuing a more manageable workload with their school schedule and taking advantage of the travel time from school to gigs.
“I definitely think school is super important. I try to do my work in the car, or wherever I am going. If I’m going to LA, then I’ll do my homework in the car, and try to get everything done,” said Thornton.
In the future, both Thornton and Schubert can imagine themselves fulfilling their dreams of walking for the up-and-coming New York Fashion Week, being featured on the cover of a magazine, and traveling as much as possible. It seems that modeling in the fashion industry is not just a passing fancy, but a very real career opportunity.
