Meet Eden Dugger | Model & Creative

We had the good fortune of connecting with Eden Dugger and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Eden, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Everything in life is risk and reward. You just have to decide which risks are worth the reward. Here in my suburban town at 16 I ended up in retail simply wanting to be close to clothing and the newest trends. I graduated high school in 2018, played it safe, and have remained in retail ever since to make ends meet. I didn’t think it was a risk not going to college, but from time to time I regretted not getting a degree to build connections and further my career. I was yearning for more. In 2022 I decided I finally wanted to take a shot at my dream of modeling. I was unsure of what my future might look like if I didn’t at least try. I am a fresh face, completely new to the fashion industry. I barely knew where to start. Then in August of last year I was handed the biggest opportunity I have ever received by pure luck; a chance to walk at New York Fashion Week for the up and coming designer Songlan Wu. A friend had DM’ed me on Instagram Songlan’s story post looking for models; in my head I thought ‘there is no way I will ever get into fashion week’. I decided to take the shot with my friend’s encouragement. Songlan was quick to respond, and like that I was walking in NYFW. It was a big financial risk for me having to take off work to walk, getting to New York, finding a place to stay, and even just eating there. But thankfully with a little help from family and friends supporting me I made it there. I cannot thank Song enough for taking a chance on me to showcase her art. It was an amazing experience where I learned so much, but without the risk I had taken reaching out to Song and making it to New York, I would have never gotten to live that moment. It was all worth it.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My name is Eden. I’ve always found it to be a strong name and connected myself very heavily to the movie Clueless. Cher and Dionne in the movie were very strong characters who embodied their names as their brand. Since I was young I consistently have tried to do the same for myself. Being a model, you are your brand and your art. Being Eden I’ve tried to live my life as authentically as possible to promote myself as a brand even before I got into modeling. Knowing who I am and having that strong sense of self is what makes me Eden. I define ‘Eden’ as a style or an attitude. It’s a mix of punk, funk, Lisa Frank, platforms, vintage, and suspense. It’s just me. If you know me, you’ll know it when you see it. I’ve gotten where I am by being open, honest, and most importantly myself. I’m still not where I want to be in my fashion career, but I know I’ll never achieve what I want trying to be someone else. I want the world to know I’m ready for more. I want to have a platform to spread positivity to everyone struggling with their sense of self amidst a world where beauty ideals and societal standards are still separating us from being happy with our true selves.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I love the DIY scene and going to concerts and shows. If you are hanging out with me we are going to The Polish Club. In my humble opinion, there is no better night out than going to a DIY hardcore show in the basement of the local Polish American Citizens Club. There’s no beating $15 tickets, $3 vodka Sprites, and 3/$5 loaded pierogis. Everything there is so cheap, the music is always excellent, and I love supporting a local business and up and coming artists. The next day after going hard in the pit at The Polish Club I’m always craving food from the locally famous Railroad Street Bar & Grill. Their gourmet grilled cheeses are killer. I’m also incredibly partial to their lobster fries with huge chunks of lobster and their tomato jam fries which are to die for. After munching on the delicacies of “Railroad Inn” I’d probably wind down the night with a burn barrel in my backyard. We would just chill by the fire chatting, listening to music, and gazing at the beautiful stars. Maybe we’d even set up the projector screen outside and watch a movie in the yard. The next day maybe we could hit up some of the trails in the local parks and go for a hike to enjoy the scenic beauty of Pennsylvania. There’s not too much to do around here without going to Philly and most of the stuff to do here is just not my vibe. I make do with what I have and where I am. When you’re with me you’re either in for a rager or a very chill low key time.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Oh gosh there as so many people I cannot thank enough. Firstly, I’d like to thank Songlan Wu for taking a chance on a model with very little experience. I’d like to thank Francesca Rivetti, a stunning hair artist in Philly, who helped me do my first real photoshoot. I’d also like to thank my good friend Inez Oliveras for her constant collaboration and motivating me to do shoots. Of course I NEED to thank my wonderful boyfriend, Collyn, for helping me get to castings and other modeling opportunities while supporting me endlessly. I also NEED to thank my parents for having me, making me the person I am, helping me get to NYC for fashion week, and everything else they do. I also have to shout out my friends who all inspire and uplift me. I wouldn’t be here without them.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edendugg?igsh=aWJoYnZlMWNuZDRn&utm_source=qr

Image Credits
Lauriane Ogay Inez Oliveras Jeffrey Bergeland