Fashion model, creative director, entrepreneur, and mental health advocate—Nikki Gal is an unstoppable force of creativity and impact. In this exclusive feature interview, Nikki shares her thoughts on individuality, the art of fashion, and her aspirations for the future...

Let's get into it.

**What inspired you to pursue a career in fashion modeling, and how has the industry shaped your perspective on individuality?**

I have always been interested in the art of fashion from a young age. When I was younger, I used to flip through the pages of fashion magazines and dreamt of what it would be like to wear different outfits and makeup looks. From a young age, I found fashion to be a form of creative expression and identity. Now that I’ve been in the fashion industry for 11 years working as a fashion model and creative director, I feel that fashion is all in how you wear it. You have to wear the clothes, not have the clothes wear you. I believe that clothing should make us feel confident, empowered, and most importantly—feel like ourselves.
Fashion is truly a universal language like no other.

**How would you describe your personal style, and how does it reflect your identity?**

I would describe my personal style as a balance between edgy and feminine. I like to balance the two out, depending on my mood and the day. Some days I wake up feeling super bold, where I’ll wear a lot of dark colors. And then there are other days where I’ll wake up and want to wear something a little bit more delicate, a little bit more soft. I like to be flexible when it comes to my style. I wear a lot of men’s clothes like blazers and pantsuits. I love experimenting with different fabrics and different garments. I don’t believe in following a handbook on how to dress—it’s all up to you.

“Fashion is truly a universal language like no other.”

— Nikki Gal

**In your experience, how can fashion be a tool for self-expression and empowerment? Do you think fashion trends (or fads) influence our identity overall?**

Being influenced by fashion trends or fads is a choice. There is no right or wrong way on how to dress or express ourselves through clothing; it’s all in how we feel and in reflection to our stories. Fashion is used as a tool to navigate our own personal identities and how we can creatively communicate with others. Some can follow fashion trends, some can follow their own trends, and some can even follow both. There are no rules in fashion, and there are no rules in how one chooses to express themselves.

**Can you share a memorable project you worked on and why it left a lasting memory?**

The most memorable project that I worked on was my cover of *ELLE Ukraine*. *ELLE* was one of my favorite magazines growing up, so being able to be on one of their covers was such a dream. Out of all the work that I’ve done, that cover is my favorite. I creative-directed and photographed the shoot as well.
I think being able to not only model but also photograph and creative-direct a project is such a blessing, especially for a publication such as *ELLE*.
I felt so in my element during the photo shoot, and every time I look at that cover, it’s such a great memory I’ll always remember.

Where do you draw inspiration from for your creative endeavors?

Different colors, different memories of my life, as well as my childhood. I love looking back at different interests that I had as a child to influence my present-day creative work. I also like to look through Vogue editorials and covers from the 1990s.

**How has your perspective on fashion changed over time?**

My perspective of fashion has pretty much always been the same since I was a child.
I still find the art of fashion colorful and vibrant—I’ll always find it inspirational. I think the only thing that’s really changed is how I have developed my own identity through fashion. Over the years, I have reinvented myself, as fashion has been such a creative process for me. It has been a core principle in the way that I have creatively as well as personally evolved throughout my life.

**Your company Raw Talk focuses on mental health. What are some of the most rewarding outcomes you’ve seen from the community you have built?**

When women reach out to me and tell me that my podcast and my platform have helped them throughout their life. Those are the most rewarding outcomes I’ve had throughout the platform. It makes me feel empowered to know that I’m helping women grow within themselves but also becoming united within themselves as a community as well. Throughout my work, I have felt so incredibly honored to be able to not only be a voice for the mental health community but also be a voice for women within the mental health community as well.

You’ve started multiple businesses and creative projects. What fuels your entrepreneurial spirit, and how do you maintain that level of ambition?

My inner child definitely fuels my entrepreneurial spirit, but also the mentality of always wanting to see every vision through. When I started my career as an entrepreneur when I was 20, I didn’t know that my work would lead me to where I am today. Now that I’ve evolved within my work and journey, I only have motivation to keep going. I believe all entrepreneurs should have this feeling—we must keep going, and we must keep believing in ourselves and our own visions.

**When you think about the future, what kind of impact do you hope to leave through your projects and businesses?**

I hope to inspire and influence others to become the most creative versions of themselves. Whether that be a passion or starting a business, I hope to ignite creative individuality but also the power of creative expression among others. I want others to feel limitless within themselves, their dreams, their creative passions, as well as their careers.

What can we expect to see in the future? Are there any new projects that you are working on that we can look forward to?

I plan on working on more creative directive projects, continuing with my advocacy within the modeling industry, and also launching more mental health awareness work. I’m so excited to see what projects are coming up in the new year!

Nikki Gal’s journey is a testament to the power of creativity and individuality. From her bold personal style to her dedication to mental health advocacy, she continues to inspire with her authenticity and passion. Nikki embodies what it means to lead with purpose. As she looks ahead to new projects and challenges, one thing is certain: her voice will continue to resonate, leaving a lasting impact on the worlds of fashion, mental health, and beyond.

Don’t forget to follow Nikki’s creative and inspirational journey on her Instagram.

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