Unfiltered with Augustah | Episode 8 – Back to New York
Coming back to New York always feels like someone pressing fast-forward.
One minute I’m unpacking, the next I’m back at castings, events, showroom appointments, beauty appointments, brand work, creating content, answering emails, and trying to decide what the next version of my career is supposed to look like.
And strangely, I like it.
New York has a way of making me feel like I need to get moving again.
Not because everything is figured out.
Unfiltered with Augustah | Episode 9 — Back to the Hustle
Mostly because it isn’t.
It has been busy, but this time I’ve been thinking less about trying to fit myself into one specific lane.
For a long time, modeling was the thing I wanted everything else to revolve around. I still love modeling. I still want the campaigns, the runway, the travel, the editorials, and the agency opportunities.
But being in New York has also forced me to become realistic about how much of my career I can actually control.
I’ve been trying to get signed here for years! Honestly, since I was sixteen. Can you imagine?
Sometimes the feedback is my height.
Sometimes an agency likes me but doesn’t know where I fit.
Sometimes they simply don’t know how they would market me.
And at some point, I realized something:
While someone else may still be figuring out how to market me, I don’t have to be.
I know what my world looks like.
Fashion. Beauty. Modeling. Writing. Travel. Content.
And the moments that happen in between all of it.
So instead of waiting for one person or one agency to decide what makes sense for me, I’ve been focused on building something that already does.
A lot of my career now exists because I learned how to create opportunities outside of traditional modeling: social media partnerships, UGC, brand ambassador work, styling, writing, creative direction, showroom relationships, events, affiliate links, and yes modeling too. I don’t see those things as distractions from being a model anymore. They’re part of the bigger picture. They allow me to keep creating when castings are slow, build relationships with brands directly, make money from my point of view, and show people exactly how I want to be seen. That has probably been one of the biggest mindset shifts for me.
I can still want an agency to believe in me while believing in myself enough to keep moving without one.
I can go to the casting and still create my own shoot.
I can wait for a campaign decision and still publish something of my own.
I can want someone to open a door and still build another entrance.
UNFILTERED IS EVOLVING
That same thinking is why Unfiltered with Augustah is evolving too.
I love blogging, and I’m keeping this space because writing is therapeutic for me. Sometimes I don’t fully understand how I feel about something until I sit down and write it. But I also don’t think people read the way they used to. At least not everything. And I want people to actually get to know me. Not only through a photo dump or a polished shoot, but through the parts of my life that happen before and after those moments.
So Unfiltered with Augustah is becoming more of a mini reality series.
A visual diary documenting fashion, beauty, becoming, and the moments in between.
The castings.
Getting dressed.
Doing my hair.
Working an event.
Sitting on the train on the way somewhere.
Going to a showroom.
Going to a fashion show.
Being excited about something.
Being disappointed by something.
Traveling.
Talking with my friends.
Trying again.
I don’t want it to feel like I’m just telling you what I did that day. I want it to feel like you’re actually watching the story happen. That’s the version of content I’m excited about right now.
The blog lets me process it. Unfiltered lets you live it with me.
BACK TO MY CLOSET
Naturally, coming back to New York also meant having my entire closet again.
And I missed her.
My style lately has been feeling a little more undone, simple, a little more editorial, and a lot less interested in being perfectly put together. I’m gravitating toward pieces that already have personality so I don’t have to do too much around them. EMCEE Studios has quickly become one of my favorite showrooms to pull from because I can discover designers and silhouettes I probably wouldn’t find during a normal shopping scroll. I’ve recently worn and pulled pieces from brands like Wales Bonner, Gabe Gordon, Andersson Bell, and Ottolinger, and I love being able to take something with such a strong design point of view and still make it feel like me.
My favorite outfits lately usually start with one strong piece.
Then I build around it.
Not too much.
Not too perfect.
Just enough.
SHOP MY EMCEE EDIT → [LINK]
My New York wardrobe right now is basically a mix of strong dresses, the color black, flats, loafers, menswear-inspired pieces, easy basics, a good bag, and anything that makes a simple outfit feel a little unexpected.
I’m also trying to be better about linking what I wear instead of waiting until everyone asks me in the comments, so I’ve been keeping my current outfits, similar finds, beauty products, and everyday pieces updated through my ShopMy.
SHOP MY CURRENT WARDROBE → [LINK]
THE EDIT
The clothes that made getting dressed fun again.
The beauty products currently surviving my routine.
The shoes actually making it through New York.
The pieces I keep styling over and over.
And a few things I’ve added to my wish list because apparently having my entire closet back still isn’t enough.
So, in true Curated by Augustah fashion, here’s everything I’ve been wearing, using, loving, and reaching for since touching back down in New York from travels.
CLOTHING HAUL
Strong dresses, black staples, and easy pieces with personality.
Knotted Dress — MONSE
A sculptural statement dress that feels polished, unexpected, and strong enough to carry the entire look.
Grease Dress — James Gordon
A fashion-forward piece that feels unexpected, editorial, and easy to make my own.
Upside-Down Asymmetric Skirt — ANDERSSON BELL
An unexpected asymmetric skirt that makes even the simplest top feel instantly more styled.
Vanice Dress in Pink KNWLS
A playful statement dress that does all the work for you and instantly makes the whole look feel more intentional.
Embroidered Asymmetric Midi Skirt — ZARA
A textured asymmetric skirt that adds interest to an outfit without needing much else.
Everyday Comfort Bikini THINX
An easy everyday pair of period panties that’s soft, comfortable, and disappears under almost everything.
ZW Collection Front Pleat Trousers — ZARA
A tailored trouser with an easy, polished shape that works just as well dressed up as it does with a simple top.
Logo-Patch Side-Stripe Trousers — ELISABETTA FRANCHI
A sporty tailored trouser that gives a simple look a sharper, more elevated edge.
Women’s Pants — DONDUP
A relaxed trouser that gives an everyday look that effortless, slightly menswear-inspired feel I love.
Heavy Cotton Cape Volume Top — ZARA
A sculptural cotton top that instantly gives even the simplest outfit more shape and personality.
Stripe Open Knit Vest — ANDERSSON BELL
A textured knit vest that adds color, dimension, and just enough unexpected detail to a simple look.
SHOE HAUL
Flats, loafers, boots and walkable shoes that still make the outfit.
Soleil in Snow White and Dark Brown Thursday Boots
A timeless riding boot that feels clean, sophisticated, and effortlessly elevated. It's the kind of statement piece that instantly pulls an outfit together while remaining versatile enough for everyday wear.
The Gia Thong Heel in Black NAKEDVICE
A sleek thong heel that gives even the simplest outfit a little more edge.
BEAUTY HAUL
Natural hair, skin-first makeup, and easy everyday beauty.
TheraFace Depuffing Wand A small wellness upgrade that helps reduce puffiness and refresh my skin. Great for slow mornings or pre makeup prep.
BLOCK PARTY Anti-Humidity Defining Gel — THE DOUX
The gel I reach for when I want definition, hold, and a wash-and-go that can actually handle the humidity.
Bananas Xtreme Hold Hair Gel — THE DOUX
A strong-hold gel I use when I want my curls defined, secure, and staying in place all day.
Double Serum CLARINS
A hydrating serum I reach for when I want my skin to feel smoother, plumper, and extra nourished.
Double Serum Eye CLARINS
An eye treatment I use to help the under-eye area feel smoother, firmer, and more refreshed.
All Bright Vitamin C Serum COUNTER
A brightening vitamin C serum I use when my skin needs a little extra glow and help looking more even.
ESSENTIALS HAUL
The bags, sunglasses, and little things I keep reaching for
Chanel CHANEL
A timeless piece that instantly makes even the simplest outfit feel more polished.
Charmera Blind Box Digital Camera Keychain KODAK
A tiny digital camera I love for capturing fun, imperfect little moments on the go.
A bold pair of sunglasses that instantly elevates any look. They add the perfect finishing touch while bringing a modern, effortless edge to everyday styling.
The Dopp Kit BÉIS
Something I’ve been using to keep everything in one place when I’m getting ready or packing. It makes organizing my essentials feel easier and less scattered, which I’ve been appreciating more lately.
The Luggage Starter Set BÉIS
A set that makes traveling feel more put together before I even leave. It comes with everything I need to stay organized, and the structure makes packing feel easier and less rushed. It’s one of those things that just makes the whole process smoother.
The Weekender Bag + Starter Set BÉIS
A go-to when I need something easy but still structured. It fits everything without feeling overwhelming, and makes packing feel more put together from the start.
Mirror Duo CHANEL
My chic little on-the-go essential. Slim, elegant, and the only mirror that makes touching up feel luxurious. It lives in every bag I carry.
Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Fenty Glow FENTY
ADDS TO CART x10000. A forever classic. The glossy nude that works with every liner, outfit, and mood.
PerfecTemp 1.7L Electric Kettle CRUISNART
My winter staple. Temperature presets for tea, matcha, and coffee, boils fast, and keeps warm. I use this every single day!! non-negotiable!
Lip Contour Lip Stain Warm Brown HUDA BEAUTY
Very obsessed. Long-wearing, warm, and softly defined. Everyday winter perfection.
Coming back to New York reminded me that I don’t need to have every part of my career figured out before I start building it. I can still want the agency, the campaign, the runway, and the opportunity while creating something of my own in the meantime. That’s really what this chapter feels like.
Less waiting.
More creating.
More trusting my own point of view.
More letting fashion, beauty, modeling, writing, and Unfiltered with Augustah exist together instead of trying to choose just one version of myself. I don’t know exactly what comes next. But I know I’m not standing still while I figure it out.
And for now, that feels like enough.
If you’re curious about any of the pieces from this July haul, everything is linked through my ShopMy, Thank you for being here and reading Curated by Augustah. It truly means more than you know.
If you try something, tag me — I love seeing how you make it your own.
While someone else may still be figuring out how to market me, I don’t have to be.
Augustah Allen