Today we’d like to introduce you to Cate Lindberg
Hi Cate, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I was born and raised in Shelton, Connecticut but followed my dream of moving down south in May 2023 when I was 22. I have always dreamed of being down south and modeling one day. I was going through a lot back north, struggling financially and at a crossroads in life. Everyone surrounding me encouraged me to take the risk and go where I need to be to find myself and build a future for myself, and with enough encouragement, I finally packed up everything I owned into my kia optima, drove down to South Carolina, found a place to live and never looked back. Having been a waitress back north and didn’t complete college, I found myself a little waitressing job to hold myself over while I can. One day, while working, one morning, I was called over by a wonderful women, Diko, owner and creator of Anton&Maxine. She asked me to model some clothes for her and I was ecstatic! It was like a dream come true for me! Thanks to her, I don’t think I would have ever truly gotten into modeling. After having some professional pictures taken, and developing a connection with her, I was provided the opportunity to walk for ‘Sun For My Sun’ fashion show, modeling her beautiful clothes. I was able to meet other models and designers and create new connections and friends. With these amazing opportunities and connections, I was reached out by a designer on instagram, asking me to walk for New York Fashion Week, February 2024…a dream come true. In my 23 years of life, I never would’ve imagined I’d be invited to NYFW! I walked for Alonso Maximo, a fashion designer based out of my home state, Connecticut that designs beautiful wedding dresses, quinceañera dresses, prom dresses, and more! Ever since then, I have been working with dozens of other photographers from the Carolina’s and have also been invited back to NYFW to walk for Alonso Maximo again and RxRunway The Shows in September! Moving down to South Carolina was fear inducing and took a lot of courage. It was a huge change in my life, but has provided me with amazing opportunities and has helped me find myself, while surrounding myself with the best people. I wouldn’t change a thing.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I left a lot back in Connecticut, which was really hard for me to do. But it was worth it at the end of the day. My living situation once I moved down here was not ideal, but it was a good first step. Now that I have been down here for a little over a year, and found myself in a serious relationship, together we rent a house. Prior to that, we lived separately and I was in a not-so-good apartment…dealing with many infestations and very poor management, it was rough. Finding a good, stable job to support me financially was difficult too. Paying off debt, loans, providing myself with groceries, and taking care of my pets was a lot to handle on top of paying overpriced rent. But, it’s worth it to be where I am today.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
When I am not waitressing, I love to model. Modeling was a dream of mine as I was growing up, and I have recently been provided a lot of modeling opportunities that I am very proud of. I have been published in Lybell Magazine, Sarze Magazine, Dreamy Magazine, and Boudoir Dreams magazine! Walking for NYFW is my biggest accomplishment, it’s something that I never would have imagined myself doing. My willingness to try new things, experience new experiences, and adaptability to new environments has allowed me to grow as a person and a model.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I am a massive risk-taker. I had close to nothing in Connecticut. When I moved to South Carolina, I had no job waiting for me, less than $1,000 to my name, and just threw all my clothes in my backseat and took off. I was not a model when I first came down here. Modeling was a risk for me, as I had close to no professional experience and was not sure where it would take me. Driving 18 hours back to New York to walk for New York Fashion Week was a big risk, as I was originally supposed to walk for 3 designers, but only ended up walking for 1…that’s a story for another time! But I love taking risks. I think everyone should be a risk-taker, because you never know where it’s going to lead you in life. If I never took the risk of driving from CT to SC, I would still be in Connecticut. I wouldn’t have gotten into modeling, made the friends that I made, and overall be where I wanted to be in life. I’m still working on myself and building my life up, but I wouldn’t be where I am today if I didn’t take the risks that I took.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/okay.cate?igsh=eXZscGxmbHNkZWo3&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catielindberg01
