Could you please give us a little introduction and tell us about your first experience with modeling? How did you get started and where are you currently based?

Kasandra started as an editorial model when she was younger, then, she moved into runway modeling when she turned 11 years old. It has been almost 9 months since her very first time she walked on a runway in Hawaii in summer 2024. She took runway classes and attended a few additional fashion weeks including in Paris, Los Angels, Dubai, and New York. Our agent is also a fashion show production company, so we normally follow them. Our base is in the United States, but we would like to go to Milan Fashion Week, Cannes Fashion Week, and Japan if any opportunities arise.

What was your first job as a model? How did it feel?

She has always liked to be taken photos, and she enjoys wearing different type of outfit. We started having editorial shooting for kids’ magazine called Meraki Magazine with Valerie Torstenson. At that time, we didn’t know what we were doing, but certainly, Kasandra enjoyed meeting with fellow kids models at shooting and feel fantastic when her photos were published in a magazine.

Besides modeling, what else are you passionate about?

Kasandra is interested in mathematics and science subjects in general. She has been in competitive robotics teams for the last few years since she was a 4th grade student. She is also loves taking Shaolin Kung Fu classes that she has been practicing since she is 3.5 years old.

Is there anyone in the modeling industry you look up to? Who?

We love Ms. Ai Tominaga, a super model in Japan. We also respect our president of modeling agency and fashion show production company called MGI Entertainment. Mr. Buboi Asuncion is an international fashion show director who brought over 50+ fashion show last few years. His show is different from any other fashion show we have participated in. His passion is not just putting amazing show but also preparing models to tell messages of designers who want to express their creation in a way we play a certain role in a play. He has been training Kasandra in all runway walks and how to interpret designer’s creation. He is an amazing mentor and producer, and we highly respect his new way to bring fashion show to the industry.

What do you value most in a photographer who collaborates with you?

We worked with Edward Dose and Valerie Torstenson in Washington, and Kiel M. Ortega in Los Angels who is also a fashion designer. We also met a number of talented photographers while we participated in New York Fashion Week. We are very lucky to meet with them.

What are your goals for your modeling career? Do you have any upcoming projects you want to share?

We have a few designers we dearly adore, and we are hoping to have a long-term relationship with them to be their house models when Kasandra advanced in her modeling career. For example, one of the designers we highly respect is KO Los Angels by Kiel M. Ortega. He is a multi-talented creator as a fashion designer and talented photographer. We love his futuristic and bold design that he always has a story to tell. It is not just design but there is a story behind his creation of every single fabric selection and pieces he put together. As a person, he is also kind and considerate and really cares about his models’ career path. We are so fortunate to get to know him.

How can we stay connected with you?

Instagram: The best way to contact Kasandra is Instagram account @kasandrariley2012 which her parents manage her account.

Model: @kasandrariley2012

Fashion & Stylist: @kiel

Fashion: @fashionnurse_norman

Agency Manager: MGI Entertainment

Photo: @ramil_nakayama

Shoes: @stuartweitzman

MUA: Marilen Alonzo

Via @officialkavyar