A Piece of Christine's Story
Meet Christine Hogg; a dancer, student, and recent model studying at Pace University. Not only is she sassy and confident in what she does, but she has a huge passion for dancing and the opportunities it's given her. She's traveled all over the world and hopes to keep it up. Read more about the ins and outs of what living in New York is really about (and she'll even give you the local gems to visit!)
WHAT ARE YOU UP TO RIGHT NOW? ARE YOU IN SCHOOL, WORK?
WHAT'S YOUR DAILY ROUTINE LIKE? ANY UNIQUE MORNING RITUALS?
My average weekday routine:
In the morning; I wake up around 7 am, shower, put on minimal makeup (mainly mascara because lashes are everything!), I always do my hair because I never feel complete unless its styled-- even if that means pulled back into a neat pony tail—I then pick out my outfit, gather my bag for the long day and fight the crowds heading to the subway for work, school or both. Most days I work in Times Square 9:30am-5:30pm at the modeling agency then I have class from 6pm-9pm in the Financial District of Manhattan, which is a mere two blocks away from the World Trade Center. If I do not have class I will go to the gym after work, take a yoga class, go for a long run along the Hudson river, when its warm, or take one of my favorite dance classes at Broadway Dance Center. Fitness is always a major daily priority for me. There is nothing like having an hour with yourself when living in such a hectic city!
On the weekends, I enjoy sleeping in a little bit and then beginning my day with a long and favorable workout. Often I spend the weekends relaxing with my boyfriend, or enjoy grabbing drinks and dinner with friends around the city. Sometimes crazy events fall into my plans (odd shows, clubs, rooftop bars, fashion parties, art gallery openings, etc.)
My tips on getting ready would simply be go with your gut instinct- if it feels slightly uncomfortable you probably look amazing, quirky, yet beautiful. Being different is key to be stylish, especially when projecting a personal feeling, style and mood for the day. If you look good you will perform your entire day better and on top of feeling confident who doesn’t like to get compliments?!
SO YOU'RE A DANCER, TELL US HOW YOU BECAME ONE? (BACKGROUND)
My dance background is pretty simple I have been dancing since I was 3 years old and can’t stop! I grew up in PA dancing at the same studio my entire life called Miss Cindy’s School of Dance. I grew up training in every style (ballet, jazz, tap, modern, lyrical, contemporary, Broadway, partnering, etc.) and have been in love with the art for as long as I can remember.
I actually moved to NYC so I could continue dancing in one of the most opportunistic places in the world, since I chose not to major in it at a University. I train often at Broadway Dance Center and I am now a professional dancer and a two-year veteran for the New York Lizards Dance Team.
Also, another amazing experience dance gave me recently was the opportunity to tour Southeast China for a whole month dancing for an International NBA team! This happened this past May. It was the most incredible and eye-opening experience of my life and it truly changed me as a person, for the better.
Being a dancer is the best thing that has ever influenced my life- my dearest and longest friendships have developed from dancing. Dancing brings me to my center; it is my gravity, my sanity, my art, my expression, my stress reliever and my favorite thing to do in the entire world.
WHAT ABOUT MODELING, HOW DID THAT START? WHAT'S IT REALLY LIKE?
So this is a funny story. When I was first given this questionnaire I was not a model myself, but interning for a modeling agency, then oddly enough, last week the agency I currently work for actually signed me as a petite model! I am a shrimp for a model being only 5’5”, hence why I am on the petite board. It began because I applied for an internship at Wilhelmina Models in February 2016 and was hired the following month! I worked in their runway division, and then switched to intern for their marketing team. I now intern for another agency located in Times Square called MSA Models. Its awesome learning all the ins and outs of the fashion and modeling industry. Also, it has made me realize how non-glamorous being a model is. They are just like all of us striving to work to make it to the top. It is not all it seems; I definitely see it in a different light now that I work behind the scenes in such a glamorized industry.
IS LIVING IN NEW YORK REALLY ALL THAT IT LOOKS LIKE? WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT LIVING THERE? LEAST FAVORITE?
New York city is a place you walk in the door and fall through the floor. Now whether that floor be a positive or a negative thing, you are certain to fall into some sort of a whirlwind. It is constant entertainment and you truly never know what will happen in your day, because this city never fails to throw surprises your way in every turn you make. It is as glamourous as it looks, yes, but there is also so much more this city has that many people are unaware of. The depths of this city amaze me and I can tell you I learn something new every single day since I have lived here. The cultures that roam this city, the languages, the foods, the shops, the anger, the happiness, the opportunities, the parties, all the people—its quite overwhelming to be honest! One must learn how to tackle what you want the most and narrow your focus. It took me a long time to figure this out.
A few of my favorite things about this city: the endless opportunities. Legit anything you want to try and accomplish is at the convenience of your fingertips, and in your “concrete backyard.” I love how much I have learned about people from other countries and from around the US, I have so many friends that are from every realm of life (everyone wants to come here it seems)! Oh and who could forget about the food! I have tried every type of cuisine I can possibly find and its awesome.
Least Favorite: The crowds some days (for instance when you’re on your lady time and people wont move out of your way), relying on public transportation and let me tell you these trains are always having problems! I miss having a car. Also, everything is super expensive here, good luck finding a decent and healthy meal for less then $15.
ARE THERE ANY FAVORITE BARS, RESTAURANTS, CAFES, MUSEUMS WE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT NEXT TIME WE'RE IN NEW YORK? TELL US ABOUT YOUR FAVORITES WORTH MENTIONING!
Buddakhan in the Chelsea Market in the Meatpacking district is an awesome Asian-fusion restaurant and the aesthetics are more than impressive, you feel like royalty here with the hanging chandeliers and high ceilings. Fig and Olive is a great Mediterranean restaurant. Dos Caminos is great Mexican and Les Halles is an awesome French steakhouse.
Bars: anywhere in the Lower East Side! This neighborhood of the city will give you a true experience of New York, especially in the summer. In this neighborhood I would suggest Hair of the Dog, Pianos for a good live show, No Fun (yes this is actually the name), and Happy Endings. Meatpacking is a good place if you’re visiting with your girlfriends and want to check out the club scene—I would suggest Le Bain for some awesome cocktails and views of the city, Marquee and also Lavo, but this is way uptown!
HOW DO YOU REPRESENT THE TRAIT SASSY? ARE THERE CERTAIN THINGS YOU SAY OR DO THAT MAK YOU SEEM MORE SASSY? DOES BEING SASSY HELP YOUR CAREER?
I believe I represent the trait sassy due to my extreme honesty and outgoing personality. I am one who “says it as it is” and while this may be a good trait to have, it does sometimes get me into a pickle when I lack a filter in a sensitive situation…oops. I think I am also sassy because I exude confidence, I don’t question myself often and I am confident in many things I am doing, saying or chasing after. Combined with my confidence, my bubbly and outgoing personality comes off as sassy I suppose!
ASIDE FROM BEING SASSY, WHAT ARE THREE OTHER PERSONALITY TRAITS THAT DESCRIBE YOURSELF AND EXPLAIN HOW FOR EACH TRAIT?
ADVENTUROUS: because I never shy away from trying something new, I live for it! My travels definitely demonstrate my adventurous side and the fact that I moved to NYC, alone at 18, knowing NOONE demonstrate it as well.
DETERMINED: I work for what I want and I don’t stop until I make it where I want to be. This is a trait I am often told by my loved ones, that I never quit until I get to where I want to be and I believe this to be true.
INDEPENDENT: the older I am getting the more I enjoy my alone time and the less I depend on other people for my daily life and my overall happiness. I have an extremely busy schedule and I figure out how to get it all done all on my own. Living in this city I think has really taught me how to be independent because I don’t have anyone to rely on but myself here!
IS WHAT YOU'RE DOING LONG TERM OR DO YOU HAVE BIGGER GOALS?
Long term yes and no. I would like to continue working in the entertainment/ fashion industry, but I want to continuously grow within a company that I find a love for.
WHEN DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOUR BEST? IS THERE AN OUTFIT? A PLACE? A PERSON? TV SHOW?
I feel the best when I am traveling, and learning while I travel. I believe it to be the most enriching and fulfilling experience in my life. There is nothing like seeing new places, trying new foods and new adventures, especially sharing these experiences with people you love. Ever since I was a young child I have said I wanted to travel the world, and I am slowly but surely traveling as far and wide as I can reach. I legit live out of a suitcase (and yes I have an apartment) but I am constantly going from place to place. This year alone, for instance I have traveled about 11 major vacations, China being the grandest! Traveling makes me feel so alive, and so enriched there is no greater feeling.
WHO'S YOUR BIGGEST INSPIRATION AND WHY?
Absolutely my mom and my sisters (I am the youngest of 5 children). They are all the most hard-working and loving women I have ever met and they demonstrate to me exactly how I want to be as a mother-figure. I mean hey, look at the person they influenced;) – joking
WHAT’S THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU’VE LEARNED IN YOUR TWENTIES? HOW ABOUT AS A DANCER OR MODEL? CAN YOU GIVE ADVICE TO ANYONE LOOKING TO PURSUE THE KIND OF LIFE YOUR LIVING?
If you want it go for it and WORK for it. Its so cliché but the most valuable thing I have learned thus far is that working your ass off indeed gets you places. Mind over matter, get up and go for whatever you can’t stop thinking about!
Wake up with a smile on your face because every day is a new day. I used to have trouble moving forward with things that truly upset me but I have learned that I must feel the emotion, be sad, mad or whatever, in order to move past. Then I put on a favorite song, go for a run, make myself feel good and go continue with my goals!
Check out more from Christine below!
Email: ch19155n@pace.edu |