BEYOND THE RUNWAY: THREE FACES, THREE STORIES, ONE COLLECTIVE

Inside The Dorian Jihad Collective, emerging models Veronique, Jessica Sonia, and Adama are redefining what it means to make their mark in fashion.

The runway may only last a few minutes, but the stories behind the faces walking it are often years in the making. As another season of New York Fashion Week comes to a close, the conversation surrounding fashion continues to evolve beyond the collections themselves. Behind every carefully constructed look is an individual carrying her own ambitions, experiences, and definition of success. For The Dorian Jihad Collective, the runway became more than a showcase of fashion. It was a platform for individuality, cultural expression, and emerging talent, bringing together models whose journeys are as distinctive as the looks they wore.

Among those faces were Veronique, a nurse balancing the demands of healthcare with her growing modeling career; Jessica Sonia, a Las Vegas based model whose NYFW experience marked a significant personal milestone; and Adama, a West African model whose cultural heritage remains central to her identity and artistic expression. Though their paths into fashion differ, all three share a common understanding: modeling is about far more than being seen. It's about owning your story, embracing your individuality, and having the confidence to take up space.

In an exclusive conversation with Disrupshion Magazine, the three rising models reflect on the experiences shaping their careers, the lessons they've learned, and what comes next.

VERONIQUE

The Art of Balance: A Life of Purpose, Passion, and Possibility

For Veronique, the worlds of healthcare and high fashion may appear to exist on opposite ends of the professional spectrum, but both require discipline, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to one's purpose. By day, she dedicates herself to caring for others as a nurse. Beyond the hospital walls, she steps into another demanding environment, one defined by castings, cameras, and catwalks. Rather than viewing these careers as competing ambitions, Veronique sees them as complementary expressions of who she is. Her journey challenges the notion that success must be confined to a single profession.

DISRUPSHION: As a nurse and an emerging model, how do you balance a career centered around caring for others with pursuing your passion for fashion?

VERONIQUE: Balancing a demanding nursing career with the fast-paced world of fashion is an incredible feat that requires strategic scheduling, clear boundaries, and a strong sense of purpose. While nursing centers on selflessness and clinical care, modeling offers a creative outlet for self-expression, creating a unique synergy where both careers can fuel each other. The non-traditional hours of nursing are a big asset when booking modeling gigs, castings, and test shoots. I try to group my 12-hour shifts together to create four consecutive days off for modeling. I save my PTO for fashion weeks, modeling gigs, and multi-day campaigns. I also prioritize self-care. Both professions are physically demanding. One requires hours on your feet in scrubs, and the other requires hours in heels or under heavy lights. I protect my sleep and have mandatory buffer days to rest.

DISRUPSHION: What has working in healthcare taught you about confidence, discipline, and resilience that you now bring into the modeling industry?

VERONIQUE: Working in nursing teaches profound lessons in confidence, discipline, and resilience that translate directly into the challenges of the modeling industry.

Confidence is built on competence and split-second decision making in nursing. Standing firmly by clinical judgments, communicating clearly with patients, and managing high-stress emergencies forces me to trust my instincts completely. In modeling, this translates into a grounded, unshakeable presence. Walking into a crowded casting call or stepping onto a high fashion set requires the same level of self-assurance. When confidence comes from overcoming real world pressure, rejections or critical feedback during auditions are much easier to navigate. Discipline is a matter of safety and precision in nursing. It means adhering to strict protocols, managing exhausting shift schedules, and maintaining meticulous attention to detail to ensure patient wellbeing. In modeling, the industry demands a similar level of rigorous professionalism. From maintaining physical stamina and skin health to arriving punctually for call times, the work ethic learned on a hospital floor translates into being highly reliable, organized, and focused on set. Resilience is forged through emotional endurance in nursing. I witness difficult situations, manage long hours, and must quickly bounce back to care for the next patient. In modeling, rejection is a constant element of the business. The emotional resilience developed in nursing provides vital perspective, allowing me to separate my personal self-worth from a casting director's decision. Ultimately, both fields require an incredible amount of stamina and a strong sense of self, making the core virtues of nursing highly transferable to the creative world.

DISRUPSHION: As your modeling career continues to grow, what do you hope people take away from seeing someone successfully pursue two very different paths?

VERONIQUE: I love this question because it hits at the core of what drives me. If there is one thing I hope people take away from watching someone navigate two completely different professional worlds, it is that you never have to compress yourself into a single box to fit someone else's definition of success. We are often told, especially early in our careers, that we have to choose a single lane and stick to it if we want to be taken seriously. But human beings are naturally multifaceted. You can be deeply analytical, technical, or business-minded, while also being highly creative, expressive, and passionate about aesthetics. One path doesn't dilute the other; in fact, they often feed and balance each other. Ultimately, a successful career path doesn't have to follow a traditional, straight line. You can build a fulfilling life by stitching together different passions, even if they seem completely unrelated to an outside observer. For Veronique, the message is clear: ambition does not have to come with limitations. Whether wearing scrubs or stepping onto the runway, she is proof that purpose and passion can coexist.

JESSICA SONIA

From Las Vegas to New York: A Dream Finds Its Runway

Some dreams take years to materialize. Others arrive in a whirlwind of bright lights, backstage excitement, and the unmistakable energy of New York Fashion Week.

For Jessica Sonia, traveling from Las Vegas to New York wasn't simply another professional opportunity. It was a chance to step into the fashion world she had envisioned for herself.

From the anticipation backstage to the exhilaration of walking in front of an audience, Jessica experienced the magic of NYFW from multiple perspectives, both as a model and a front-row guest. And while the experience marked an important milestone, she is already looking toward the possibilities ahead.

DISRUPSHION: You recently walked in several celebrity-filled NYFW shows. What was that experience like, and which moment made you feel your modeling career was truly moving forward?

JESSICA SONIA: Walking in New York Fashion Week was an absolute dream come true!

Just being backstage, getting glammed up, and experiencing New York for the first time was an unforgettable event. I wish I could relive it all over again. It was a moment I'll never forget, being behind the scenes with the other models, taking pictures, getting featured in interviews, magazines, and even on the runway, where I felt the spotlight on me.

That's when it all hit me, I had made it to New York Fashion Week!

DISRUPSHION: You also experienced NYFW as a guest. How did observing the shows from the audience influence your understanding of fashion, presentation, and your role as a model?

JESSICA SONIA: Being a guest at NYFW was an incredible honor. Sitting in the front row of VIP, I had the privilege of watching the beautiful masterpieces. Being in the audience opened my eyes to a more creative perspective on life. I saw fashion from the designers' eyes, the photographer's perspective, the makeup artist's artistry, and even the models' unique viewpoints. This experience inspired me to be more creative in my own work.

DISRUPSHION: As an emerging model building momentum in the industry, what do you hope designers, casting directors, and readers of Disrupshion Magazine remember most about you?

JESSICA SONIA: I genuinely hope everyone remembers me as the girl who made her dreams come true. Traveling all the way from Las Vegas, this is just the beginning. I hope everyone remembers my journey, my spirit, and my name. This isn't the last you'll hear from Jessica Sonia! There's a refreshing optimism in Jessica's approach to the industry. While fashion can be notoriously competitive, she is choosing to embrace every milestone as an opportunity for growth. Her New York Fashion Week debut may have been a dream realized, but if her determination is any indication, it's only the opening chapter.

ADAMA

Rooted in Heritage, Walking With Purpose

For Adama, fashion is more than an opportunity to wear beautiful clothes. It's a space to celebrate identity, honor heritage, and communicate a story without speaking a single word.

As a West African model, she approaches the runway with a deep connection to her cultural roots, allowing her background to inform the confidence and authenticity she brings to every appearance. Her participation in The Dorian Jihad Collective offered an opportunity to step outside her comfort zone while embracing the creative possibilities of fashion.

Experiencing NYFW from both the runway and the front row also gave her a renewed appreciation for the many artistic voices that bring a collection to life.

DISRUPSHION: As a West African model, how does your heritage influence the way you express yourself on the runway?

ADAMA: My West African heritage is a huge part of who I am, and I carry that with me every time I step onto the runway.

It gives me a sense of pride, strength, confidence, and authenticity. I want people to feel my culture and my story through the way I walk, carry myself, and express my personality.

For me, modeling is not just about the clothes, it's about the woman wearing them and the story she represents.

DISRUPSHION: What did walking in The Dorian Jihad Collective mean to you, and what moment from the show stands out most?

ADAMA: Walking for The Dorian Jihad Collective was such a special experience for me.

It gave me the opportunity to step outside of my comfort zone, express myself creatively, and be part of something bigger than just a fashion show.

One of the moments that stands out the most was stepping onto that runway and feeling the energy from the audience. Seeing everything come together after all the preparation was a moment I'll never forget. I was truly proud of myself and grateful to be part of the team.

DISRUPSHION: This season, you experienced NYFW both on the runway and seated front row. How did those two perspectives shape your appreciation of fashion?

ADAMA: Experiencing New York Fashion Week from both sides gave me a completely different appreciation for fashion. Being on the runway allowed me to feel the energy, pressure, and excitement firsthand, while sitting front row gave me the opportunity to really observe the creativity, storytelling, and details behind each collection.

Experiencing both perspectives reminded me that fashion is so much more than what we see, it's art, expression, culture, and collaboration. It made me even more excited about my journey as a model and what's ahead.

Adama's perspective is a reminder that the power of fashion often lies in the stories it allows people to tell. With her heritage serving as both inspiration and foundation, she is carving out a space where culture and creativity move together.

THE NEXT GENERATION ISN'T WAITING FOR PERMISSION

There is no singular blueprint for becoming a model, just as there is no one definition of success. For Veronique, it means proving that a career in healthcare doesn't have to exist at the expense of a creative dream. For Jessica Sonia, it means turning a journey from Las Vegas into a defining New York Fashion Week moment. And for Adama, it means carrying the pride of her West African heritage into every room and onto every runway she enters.

Three women. Three different journeys. One shared determination to be seen for more than the clothes they wear.

Through The Dorian Jihad Collective, their stories found a platform during one of fashion's most celebrated weeks. Yet what makes these emerging faces worth watching isn't simply their participation in NYFW. It's the individuality, perspective, and ambition they bring to an industry that continues to evolve. Because long after the runway lights dim and the final look disappears backstage, the stories of the people who brought those collections to life remain. And for Veronique, Jessica Sonia, and Adama, those stories are only beginning.