Destiny Owusu Speaks On Her Modeling and Travel Inspirations

Fashion Model and Travel Enthusiast Destiny Owusu Speaks On Her Modeling Inspirations, Being A Black Woman In The Industry, Challenges She Faced Exploring The World of Modeling, Starting Her Own Traveling Agency, And What’s To Come For Her in 2021.

Destiny Owusu

Let’s keep the interviews and energy rolling for our 3rd Annual Women’s History Month series! For our latest feature in the series, I wanted to change the pace a little bit. I’ve had the pleasure of interviewing multiple photographers and fashion designers but this is the first time a model has graced The Lifestyle NYC. Destiny Owusu is a Virginia-born fashion model who is currently dominating the streets of New York City with her extravagant sense of style and exceptionally photogenic pictures.

I caught wind of Destiny’s model journey via Twitter and after a few conversations, we decided to go in-depth with her story about how and why she decided to tackle this particular industry. Since starting her career, the Brooklyn-based cat walker has been featured in Vogue, W Magazine, Huffington Post, Ebony Magazine, and more. She’s even expanded her brand by launching a traveling agency due to her love of country hopping.

I spoke with Destiny about her modeling inspirations, being a Black woman in this industry, challenges she had to face getting recognition, what being a Black woman means to her currently, and how she plans to add to her name and overall brand throughout the rest of the year. Read the full interview below.

1 - Talk to me about some of your early model inspirations. How old were you when you discovered the world of modeling?

I would say my early model inspirations were Tyra Banks and Naomi Campbell. Growing up they were the top black women in the modeling game. I discovered the modeling world when I was about 21. 

2 - At what age did you realize modeling was something you wanted to do? Was this a firm decision or more so of a hobby you wanted to explore?

I realized I wanted to model around the age of 24. This wasn’t a firm decision just yet; it was all fairly new to me and I was interested in seeing where it would take me.

3 - Black women have been seen throughout the modeling world in various spaces, from magazines to the runway. Who were some of your influences, and why? 

Black women who inspire me at this moment are my best friends/sisters Tiarra, Jamia, Kaela, and Rihanna. These women are their own bosses and I’ve seen them work very hard to get where they are now. Any goals/aspirations they set, they succeed. If your circle isn’t inspiring you to level up there’s a problem. 

As for Rihanna, it’s self-explanatory. She’s a mogul, a brand, a whole billionaire. I aspire to be a woman in her bag unapologetically. 

4 - What sorts of challenges did you face during your come-up that made it difficult for you to get the right opportunities? 

The challenges that I faced were focusing on negativity from strangers. I put too much time and effort into trying to persuade people that I was going to make it. Also, colorism and favoritism in the fashion industry didn’t sit well with me. Lots of insecurities began to form that I had to work on and allow myself to be confident again. 

5 - Although we’ve seen numerous amounts of Black women grace the modeling industry, we’ve also seen favoritism and racism. Was there ever a point where you felt like your skin color held you back from progressing? 

My skin color has always made me feel like I wasn’t progressing as fast as others with a lighter skin tone. Being a dark skin woman, we face so many trials and tribulations you couldn’t even imagine. I always felt like I wasn’t dark enough or the common factor—“we have someone that already looks like you.” It’s a terrible feeling when the modeling industry feels as if only one token dark skin model is enough.

6 - Over the years, you’ve established yourself as a well-known figure with features in Ebony Magazine, Huffington Post, Vogue digital campaign, W Magazine, and much more. But, do you remember the first opportunity you got that made you realize you were getting the recognition you’ve wanted? 

My first major opportunity was when I walked in fashion week for the first time. I walked for V Files and was featured on the Vogue runway alongside a W Magazine feature. This was the moment where I felt so proud of myself, being an independent and doing the damn thing on my own. 

7 - Aside from being a sought-after model, you’re also a travel consultant. You run your own business called Oh-Destinations. Talk a little bit about that and what you do to help others find great travel destinations.

Oh Destinations is my pride and joy. Anyone that knows me knows I love to travel. I started my own Travel Consulting business at the beginning of this year and wanted people to enjoy the luxury of traveling like myself. I help people plan their vacation by finding housing for them whether it’s a villa via Airbnb, hotels, and/or resorts, make a list of the best restaurants to enjoy, activities to partake in, and also create a detailed itinerary for my clients with a written day to day schedule. 

8 - In our recent conversations, you told me you’ve been to over 14 different countries and have plans to hit more before the end of the year. What’s been your favorite destination? Also, what are some pros and cons of traveling? 

My favorite destination thus far has to be my most recent trip to Saint Martin. The weather, the people, the views, the food, everything was spectacular. Pros of traveling are learning about a new culture, enjoying what life has to offer outside of “home,” pushing yourself to learn different languages, and meeting different people. The only con I can think of about traveling right now is the hassle of getting a COVID test prior to your trip and coming back to the US. 

9 - Tell me about some of your most memorable modeling and traveling experiences? 

I have so many memorable modeling experiences from going to a Dolce & Gabbana casting, slightly meeting Kanye at a Yeezy casting, being featured on Instagram’s header during fashion week, being published in Ebony Magazine, a billboard in Times Square, being apart of Pyer Moss Campaign, shooting with Micaiah Carter, the list can go on. 

As far as traveling:  going to Iceland and experiencing the blue lagoon, going parasailing in Saint Martin, jumping off a cliff in DR, trying authentic jerk chicken in Jamaica, experiencing carnival in Aruba, going to the biggest outside nightclub in Dubai, riding a camel in the desert in Dubai and the list goes on, haha. 

10 - What piece of advice would you give to an aspiring Black model? 

Don’t let anybody’s unwanted opinion discourage you from your goal. There are so many opportunities for black models in this day and age. Don’t wait for brands to reach out to you, do the work so they are seeking you for gigs. You are the prize and they know it. 

11 - If you had to summarize what being a Black woman briefly means to you, what would you say? 

Being a black woman means not taking no for an answer. Succeeding in everything we put our minds to. Being the boss we were envisioned to be. Being someone others can look up to. Inspire and influence in a positive way. Being a black woman means without us the world wouldn’t thrive because we are needed. We are exceptional, we are smart, creative, hard-working, and beautiful. We are your mother, sister, aunt, cousin, and best friend. 

12 - What are your plans for 2021?  

My plans for 2021 are to travel once a month whether it’s international or domestic, collaborate with a resort/hotel via traveling, land a beauty campaign, and save money for an apartment in 2022. I’m excited about what’s to come.