ALISSA IRIS
By Lisa Heng
In an industry where first impressions function similarly to fleeting swipes on a dating app, LA-based model Alissa Iris is strikingly self-assured yet laid-back. She exudes refreshing authenticity in a city notorious for surface-level connections. From being one of the few Khmer-American models in the industry to being signed right during the thick of 2020, there is a lot to learn from Alissa.
Alissa is foremost the daughter of Khmer immigrants from the Central Valley, embodying the very resilience that unites the Khmer diaspora. Prior to her modeling career, Alissa studied at UC Irvine, graduating with a B.A. in Urban Studies at 19 years old in Spring 2020. Despite the unprecedented challenges from the pandemic, Alissa managed to sign into Photo/Genics LA in the same year after signing onto mother agency Select Model Management in 2019.
When asked for her approach on how she markets her look, Alissa is a vocal proponent of going beyond the mere acceptance of your perceived physical flaws. “I’ve embraced my uneven eyelids, for example, by learning how to harmonize them into my overall look. So, it then becomes an advantage by helping me stand out -- and also, an advantage for my self-confidence too,” she explains.
Given her mindset, her modeling versatility should come as no surprise. Her impressive, early-career CV boasts bountiful experience in working with both beauty and clothing lines.
Alissa has modeled skincare and makeup products from notable brands such as Saie Beauty, Urban Decay, Patrick Ta Beauty, Kylie Cosmetics, and Bite Beauty. In addition, she has been featured in print for a Levi’s denim line, as well as online for campaigns by Asics and New Balance.
Alissa can also be found on Instagram and TikTok, where she regularly creates content relating to vanlife, short hair styling, skincare, food, and other lifestyle topics. Unlike others though, she doesn’t just post glamorous photos or polished videos. Instead, Alissa crafts an immersive experience for her audience by weaving interactions into her Instagram Stories. From thought-provoking polls and engaging quizzes to Q&A sessions (she responds to every question!), she creates a virtual haven where her followers become an active part of the narrative.
It’s this unwavering authenticity that has earned her the unwavering loyalty of her followers, transforming them into an online family who eagerly anticipates every story and post.
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