Today we’d like to introduce you to Tori Renae.
Tori, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Tori was born and raised in Houston, Texas. She began her modeling career while attending Lamar University. She joined a fashion coalition called Eblaja in 2010. In 2011, she was featured in a spread in the November issue of the Beaumont Enterprise Magazine. Later that year, Paris photographer Kristy Sparow of Getty Images reached out to Tori for a professional photo shoot. She, then began modeling in shows in the Beaumont and Houston area. In 2012, Tori coordinated her own fashion show called, “The Perfect Alloy” which was a huge success. In 2015, Tori’s modeling career began to take off.
After numerous fashion shows in 2015-2017, she decided to do behind the scenes activities and realized there was a calling for her life. In October 2017, she coached the models in the Texas Southern University Fashion Show. She also helped coordinate the show and was the backstage manager. She realized the impact she made on some of the models and decided to start her own model coaching company, Walking Tall Model Coaching which was established to teach the proper techniques and etiquette of modeling. In addition to modeling, she has pursued acting and she also sings opera. Coach Tori has so much in store for the students of Walking Tall Model Coaching. This is only the beginning of an empire!
In 2013, Tori gave birth to her beautiful son, who is truly her number one inspiration.
MODELING
Black Fashion Week USA- Tekay Designs
Bridal Extravaganza- Impression Bridal
U of H NAACP 8th Annual Fashion Show – Designer Carlos Castillo
Alantude Fashion Show at The Houston Museum of Natural Science- Alan Gonzalez
Tekay Designs Liberian Fashion Show in Washington D.C- Kimmah Wreh
All That Jazz Fashion Fusion Show – Kitty Designs
New York Midwest Fashion Week- Tanya Ivory, Danny Nguyen, Melissa Lockwood, and Aryea Kolubah & CO.
Black Heritage Music and Art Festival- Travis Hamilton “Negris Lebrum”
Couture, Catwalks & Cocktails Fashion Show- Travis Hamilton
Join the Republic Fashion Show at The House of Dereon- Travis Cal & Shalon B
Super Bowl Live 51 Fashion Show- Tanya Ivory, Audrie Austin, Danny Nguyen, Alvertis Alexander, and Yik Styles
Mental Fashion & Art Show – Style Circle, Green Wear Designs, Athena&Apollo
Black Fashion Week USA- Tanya Ivory
RAW HOUSTON Fashion Show- Style Circle
Hair Model- Patrice Meets Hair
ACTING
Grease- Marty
Annie- Ensemble
The Wizard of Oz- Ms Gultch
Oliver- Widow Corney
Seussical the Musical- Bird Girl
When you Wish Upon a Star Musical- Solo and Ensemble
SOCIAL MEDIA
Featured in Oh Brenda blog called “I am ME”
MUSIC VIDEO
National recording R&B/Pop artist- Jaye Valentine
Has it been a smooth road?
It has definitely not been an easy road. I literally run the company by myself. I’m currently working on building a team. It’s just really hard depending on people. Some people come through last minute and some people don’t come through at all. So sometimes I can get overwhelmed with my work load but I love what I do. I also lost my “9-5” job which helped me financially support my business. This caused me to have a major set back but God stepped in. And now, I’m on my way up!
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Walking Tall Model Coaching – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
My company was designed to teach the proper techniques and etiquette of modeling. I’m a professional fashion model, I also sing opera and I’m a great modeling coach! I specialize in runway training. I have a killer walk and and I know how to train other models walks. What makes my company different is that, I actually have class time to create each models resumes and comp card designs. My classes are fun and informative. I even have a contest for the best commercial and my final exam consists of the models putting together their own fashion show! I’m really excited to see their work! I also book jobs for my models. One day, I plan on eventually expanded my company into a School of the Arts, which will contain model coaching, vocal training and acting. I’m so proud that I actually have students/models willing to learn and that take me seriously. I’m so glad they trust me to get them to the next level.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I love Houston absolutely!! I love the culture and diversity Houston has. I love the fact I can walk in a store with different races and feel totally comfortable. I never feel out of place. The only thing I can say about Houston is sometimes they can lack professionalism in the fashion industry but that’s about it. No tea, no shade.
Pricing:
- To register for the course it is $70. That is the discount sale I have right now.
- The price will increase to $100 after the Spring Session which begins in February.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.walkingtallmodelcoaching.com
- Phone: Work: 1-888-625-9937 Cell: 8322361970
- Email: walkingtallmodelcoaching@gmail.com
- Instagram: officialtori_c or walkingtallmodelcoaching
Image Credit:
Daves Liberations, Tony Fluellen and Ralph Alexander
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
