Carly Davison has long dreamed of­ and worked hard for this level of success

By Mara Soloway

Carly Davison has always found the modeling industry to be immensely interesting and creative – she loves Victoria’s Secret TV specials and finds inspiration in the looks of certain fashion models and clothing designers. Since January, her career in that industry is assured: Carly was named 2016 Junior Model of the Year at the International Modeling and Talent Association (IMTA) event in Los Angeles. On top of that, she placed first in the categories of fashion print, TV beauty, swimwear, jeans and fashion runway. The 16-year-old junior and cheerleader at Clements High School won the title in her sophomore year.

Carly is following in some very prominent footsteps: previous IMTA winners who have found success in the fashion and entertainment industries include Katie Holmes, Ashton Kutcher, Elijah Wood, Jessica Biel and Josh Duhamel.

“To accomplish this is just amazing,” she said. “I did not expect this at all.”

With her photogenic good looks and slender 5’10” frame, one might assume that it would be a given that Carly would have a successful modeling career. However, it is an extremely competitive industry, with countless numbers of people hoping to be a part of it. Carly trained extensively for the trip to Los Angeles in addition to the accelerated training she has already been through. To prepare for IMTA, she attended seminars with industry professionals and participated in photo shoots and competitions with some of the country’s top aspiring models, actors and performers. Her previous classes covered topics such as applying makeup, how to walk and pose, and how to act when you meet clients.

Her parents, Kyle Davison and Gretchen Davison, are behind her all the way. “I support Carly by attending every one of her shows. I am also her biggest fan! I encourage her to go for it, love what you do and follow your dreams in life,” Gretchen said.

Kyle knows how much effort she puts into modeling. “Carly worked and trained for months for IMTA. She understands that for her to be successful in modeling, hard work, commitment and determination are essential. Very few people know about the hard work and years of preparation that go on behind the scenes before a model even has the opportunity to pose in front of a camera or walk the runway,” he said.

“You have to put in a lot of work. It doesn’t just take a month – it takes a long time for it all to work out,” Carly noted.

At IMTA, Carly was exposed to talent agents from all across the world and as a result, recently signed a contract with MMG, a modeling agency headquartered in New York City. Carly has been represented by the Neal Hamil modeling agency in Houston since July 2015.

The staff at Neal Hamil think highly of Carly. “In Los Angeles, she impressed everyone with her vivacious personality and wonderful talent. We hope she continues to work locally and keeps pursuing the industry. We can’t wait to see what all she achieves in her career,” said Zoe Wallace, administrative manager.

Carly enjoys walking the runway in client shows that include those for Macy’s, Heart of Fashion, Talbots and Francesca’s. She admittedly has a fierce runway walk that comes naturally.

“Also, for the past 10 years, she has been in front of audiences performing and competing in gymnastics, dance, cheer, and most recently, as a runway model. She seems to thrive off the energy of a crowd,” her dad said.

Some of the successful models Carly admires are Kendall Jenner, Karlie Kloss and Cara Delevingne. “There are so many amazing supermodels out there. That’s where I wish to be someday,” she said. But she’s keeping her perspective about her youth clear in her mind and not worrying about what will be happening years in the future. “Carly understands that it is important to focus on the things that you can control and not those that you cannot,” Kyle said.

College is in her future after graduating from Clements in 2017, although she would consider taking a gap year if she is demand as a model at that time.

“Even if I don’t stay in modeling as a career, I want to be somewhere in the industry, like as an agent or having my own fashion line,” Carly said.

“I would take every opportunity that I get. I’m open to anything.”

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For more images of Carly, visit nymmg.com/eportfolio.cfm?mid=129757.