Life & Work with Isaiah Wallace

Today we’d like to introduce you to Isaiah Wallace.

Hi Isaiah, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Hi! I am Isaiah and I am a recent graduate from Valdosta State University. The beginning of my modeling and creative directing journey all started when I first entered college. As a new kid on the block that was just entering their first moment of freedom, I will say that finding my niche, in the beginning, was less than easy. There were many things such as sports, and other activities that did not stick well with me. It wasn’t until my 19th birthday when my friend and fellow photographer, Alanaiiartistry convinced me to do a photo shoot. That day January 22nd changed my entire life because that is the day I finally discovered what I truly enjoyed. From then on, I took it upon myself to develop my craft and keep challenging myself to step out of the box with my creative visions in the terms of fashions and concepts. I made it a goal to continue working with different photographers with different aesthetics to showcase the versatility in my skills. While I was growing my model portfolio, I took upon another challenge with creative directing, coming up with different concepts for other people to help build their confidence. I then created my own brand, De’Zhigns which is a replica of my middle name De’Zhan and designs.

My first big project was called The Golden Affair shot by Alanaiiartistry showing five beautiful different tones of melanin with different styles in the contrast of the hue gold. That project was to later be featured in the popular editorial magazine called Culture Icon. My second project consisted of two darker melanin women being covered in the hue orange with the title being called Orange Is The New Black by the wonderful Nevadia Shelton. My final project was a collaborative project called SPACE shot by the wonderful Brinoellephotos. I then decided to create my own creative and modeling organization on my campus called Xclusive Creations which we strive to help other young talents discover their true essence and confidence within themselves. My work has allowed me to be showcased in a variety of fashion shows, winning favorite runway model, and modeling and becoming an influencer in different clothing brands such as ICONSWIM and RichRoyal. My goal throughout my whole process is to show that anybody from a small town can achieve their goals as long as their passion and will to never give up never decreases. I hope to be able to expand my modeling and my creative passion with the goal of one day the world being able to see my eye of vision and connecting with other wonderful photographers and artists.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My journey has not been the easiest. Being a college student while also working and wanting to follow your passion has been a struggle but has taught me wonderful life lessons. While wanting to achieve my goal as a model, it was also my goal to follow through with an equivalent duty which was earning my degree. Accomplishing both goals taught me the power of balance and three important strengths that will benefit me in the future. Those three strengths include organizational skills, time management, and responsibility. There are also moments when I come across creative blocks, but I make it my obligation to take my time and never rush the process.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am an aspiring model and Creative Director with the brand being called Dezhigns. My goal is to always push myself to the next level with working with amazing photographers, modeling for fashion brands, and much more. I also make it my goal to showcase my skills of versatility by working with other photographers with different aesthetics and styles. I have had a couple of achievements by winning favorite runway model, being featured in CultureIcon and modeling for ICONSWIM, but my biggest achievement so far is my ability to never give up even when the odds are against me. My goal is to let every other young person who has a passion for something especially males in art, photography, and fashion to reach for their dreams and never let others’ opinions get in their way.

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Something I can say that people that may not know from what I mentioned earlier, is what the name DeZhigns came from. It is a collaborative name from the word designs and my middle name De’Zhan. I also have a super obsession with earth tones which I am trying to break out of.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/isaiahdezhan/
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/dezhigns__/

Image Credits
Golden Affair directed by me (Isaiah Wallace also known as Dezhigns) shot by Alanaiiartistry. Models ft myself, Lilia Graham, Trinity Jones, Collete Coline, Shamar Brown SPACE shot by brinoellephotos directed by myself featuring the model Bridget.