From Sunset Boulevard to Supermodel Central: Christine Quinn On Branding Her Way To The Top | Main Character Moves
The former Selling Sunset star shares her thoughts on seizing the moment, making a statement and why it’s important to advocate for yourself in life…
Building a brand doesn’t happen overnight. You don’t wake up, snap your fingers and end up seated front row at Jacquemus; it takes years of effort, strategy, dedication and conviction.
When I think of my journey, I know first-hand that nothing is ever promised or guaranteed – and, more importantly, that if you don’t fight for yourself with every fiber of your being, with everything you have, then how can you expect anyone to fight for you?
Let’s rewind. When I was on Selling Sunset, I knew I had an opportunity to stand out from the crowd by being different in every way. Although I was vilified, I knew that playing the long game and staying true to my highest aspirations would keep me motivated. As such, I was intentional with every decision I made. There was purpose behind every wardrobe choice, every hairstyle, make-up look and accessory. I knew that the luxury brands I aspired to work with were watching. Needless to say, I started to see a return on investment. Magazines around the world were commenting on my looks, which were often fearless and unconventionally chic thanks to my extraordinary stylist Kat Gosik. Every time I stepped out on the streets of Sunset Boulevard, photographers were waiting, ready to snap my picture and show the world that Christine Quinn has style, sophistication, and sass.
I understood my angles, and became confident and more sure of myself than ever before; I knew there was interest and intrigue around me. I leaned into this, and more publications took note. Now, I’ve graced several magazine covers and, in 2022, I signed with IMG Models Worldwide.
I have always felt most creative and confident expressing myself through the clothes I wear – and I’ve become more comfortable being bold, daring, and dauntless with my outfit choices. When I look back at fashion month, I had the opportunity to attend the most prominent shows in the world like Valentino and Schiaparelli. I was in rooms I never could have imagined I’d find myself in, sitting front row alongside individuals I admired the most. Cultivating relationships with the biggest fashion houses in the world has been a dream, and it’s not something I take for granted. Although 2022 has been a game-changing year, I’ve been aspiring to achieve this goal for several years.
Here’s what I learned: nothing feels better than proving people wrong, especially those who are destined to watch you fall from grace. Well, I achieved that 10 times over. Those who knew me personally and my true character knew that that’s all I was on Selling Sunset – a character.
I treat everybody I meet with the utmost respect and class, whether they are an assistant or the creative director of a fashion house. I will always smile, be humble and grateful, and make my presence felt and known for all the right reasons. Thus, I know with all my heart that there are never any doubts or hesitations about who the real Christine Quinn is, because those who I truly care about know my heart, and never question my intentions.
My critics said I would never succeed after leaving Selling Sunset; my first new gig was walking for Balenciaga in Paris alongside the likes of Kim Kardashian, Bella Hadid, Dua Lipa and Nicole Kidman. Actions speak louder than words, and let me tell you, I had been putting in work for years. I knew that by the time I would exit the show, I was already set up to win, and there was nothing or no one that could steer me off my path.
You might be reading this and feeling stuck. Maybe you’re in a job that doesn’t fulfill you or you don’t feel like you’re expressing yourself authentically with how you physically appear. I’m here to say that it is never too late to regain control of your life, take the wheel, and switch gears. Start getting intentional about your life, and don’t think big picture without committing to the (sometimes years) of work that it will take to reach your bigger goals. The smaller, more short-term goals are just as important because you have to lay the foundation in order to get to the finish line.
Don’t take any shortcuts; you owe it to yourself to fight for the life you want and, ultimately, the life you deserve.