We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Angel Virtuoso a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Angel, appreciate you sitting with us today. Maybe we can start with a topic that we care deeply about because it’s something we’ve found really sets folks apart and can make all the difference in whether someone reaches their goals. Self discipline seems to have an outsized impact on how someone’s life plays out and so we’d love to hear about how you developed yours?
When I was younger my self discipline definitely came from a place of ego, which was actually very progressive for me at the time. I had a strong innerstanding of myself and I knew that I had a bigger purpose in the creative industry, but I needed to grasp how I would get there. For me it was about not following what was most popular. It was completely about feeling something new, and introducing things to people. I have always been interested in how to provide depthful experiences, so one thing that helped me get more disciplined was understanding the shortcomings and the desires of the scenes around me. What could I provide? What was the best way to make a positive impact? How could I be more involved with my creative peers? When do I take the leap of faith and just put myself out there? As I got older in my career, I realized I was losing self discipline because I was losing self confidence. I was constantly comparing myself, my work, my connections, etc, and I had to wake up to MY wants and needs from my OWN creative process. I found myself focusing on what people wanted to see from me and that led to lots of creative blocks but in the same breath I was so determined not to give up. I’ve always maintained good values and my friends and family have been very integral in my journey. I had so many obstacles in my early 20’s, but now, surely my self discipline comes from waking up and remembering my dreams and goals give me strength. Being affirmed year after year by my community gives me strength. Allowing myself to be imperfect gives me strength.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I loveeee this question because with each interview it changes ever so slightly as I move at the speed of light through this journey. Lol!!! With Archangel Virtuoso Studios, I am overall a Creative Consultant and Director. I am able to assist your creative needs by way of Styling for photoshoots/events/videos, Closet Cleanses (full wardrobe audit), and I also Creative Direct multimedia events or anything else that’s related to what I do with Styling. I created an annual multimedia fashion show named The Black Heart Event, and we will have the 4th annual in December 2023. I am a runway and print model as well. This is all so special because I stated this journey just 6 years ago with no clue and no connections. I’ve organically built my community, and I am very ready to organically build up my true clientele that is focused on true transformations and ready to unveil their most authentic selves!
2023 has been filled with revisions, tailoring, and more revisions. This year I have been really analyzing how I want to show up for my community. I am blessed to be curating friends and followings in Paris, Berlin, as well as Canada and am confident that along this path I will be able to extend tools to help others develop refined processes. I have been working on a Style masterclass basically outlining how I process the ins and outs related to the styling sector of the industry, and it’s working to be a wonderful intro to fashion. Because fashion and art go hand in hand, there is information and exercises that cross between fashion, art theories, design, and also life principles so that a connection is formed between the fashion world and the real world. I want to teach people rather than enable them. I am also working on physical look books to change the narrative and purpose of Archangel Virtuoso Studios into something that showcases the story of the rebirth of a phoenix, and the every day icon.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
One quality I have always found important is authenticity. Don’t hide who you are, compromise what you value, or lessen yourself for the comfortability of others. One skill that I’ve found impactful is willingness to learn! No one was born equipped with all of the answers, and there is so much room to discover new parts of myself, so I must be open minded and open hearted.
An area of knowledge I feel has been significant is emotional intelligence. It is our duty as humans to aim to understand one another. I’ve found that by having empathy, grace, and patience, that people respond to me with less defense. I am able to clearly communicate and receive feedback, and navigate both positive and negative spaces with ease.
Advice to others on their journey is to stay optimistic and secure in self by remembering that everyone makes mistakes, burns bridges, loses sight of their creativity, fails at something their usually good at, and that people have personal lives that has nothing to do with you. There is only so much within your control, and things will go unplanned, but when you show up as your best self each day, and remain rooted in love, that legacy stays around longer than anything else will.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
Yes!!! I am always looking for solid people to connect with and hopefully through collaboration I can bring them onto my team. I primarily need media like photography and videography, social media assistant, and a flexible administrative assistant to help me elevate and evolve this business into an incredible and innovative hub that’s able to creatively, financially, and spatially support artists wherever we land. I direct my annual fashion show: The Black Heart Event, I am always looking to connect with all kinds of interesting performers, DJ’s, dancers, and live artists so that I can showcase them in the different events that I intend to create! I love reciprocating and creating and safe spaces for people. Although I live in Phoenix, I travel to Paris and New York for projects, and am looking to travel to other fashion capitols in the future to gain more opportunities, I am reachable at [email protected] and @archangelvirtuoso on Instagram.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @archangelvirtuoso
Image Credits
Jobi Da Great Abel Misplaced Surfer Harlan Randramore Productions
