Charlee Reali

Charlee Reali – Maine
Nomination & Photography by Stewart Smith Photography
Issue 55 of Inspiring Teens Magazine
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Nomination: Charlee has a wonderful personality. She is a positive light and is always trying to help build up others self-esteem. A quality Charlee has and believes in strongly is that you treat others how you yourself want to be treated.
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​What should we know about you?
What I feel Inspiring Teens Magazine should know about me is my passion for the Arts. Specifically, Interior as well as clothing design. I find that I am most confident when I can express my mood through my attire and/or through the decor of my room. Where there are other areas that I may doubt myself or question my first instincts, this is not the case when it comes to fashion. This is where I shine, and hesitation is unheard of. My voice is heard through my style daily.

Tell us more about your love of clothing design.
I am not designing my own clothes right now but show my love of design by the way I dress and decorate my bedroom. I love to go shopping and I tend to pick clothes that other teens my age might not typically wear. The photos I picked to send show my style. I became interested in clothing styles design at a young age due to my mother dressing me and encouraging me to dress my best and wear what makes me feel good as an individual.

How would you define your style?
I feel my style depends on my mood and the weather. Where I am going will also reflect what I may choose to wear. When I decorate, I tend to try and reflect the style of the house with modern day flair.

Where are your favorite places to shop?
I love Urban Outfitters because their style is usually unique and different. I usually tend to not like many stores but search for pieces that stick out to me and allow me to create an outfit I will love.

Who are your favorite designers vs/and whose images of fashion do you enjoy pouring over most?
I tend to like clothes from the 80s, 90s and early 2000s but do not have a certain designer that I like. I’m still trying to discover who I may like. I do however love interior design and love the way Joanna Gaines designs her homes. Her style is unique in a way that reflects the people she is designed for and I hope I can do the same as I get older.

If you could shadow any successful designer, what would you most hope to learn from them?
It would definitely be Joanna Gaines! I feel I could learn so much from her and I love the way she uses old items and brings them back to life.

If someone was shadowing you as a designer, what could you teach them?
I would teach them to listen to their clients’ ideas and then incorporate these ideas into their designs. Listening and not being afraid to be different is key.

What do you love most about the way you have decorated your room? How would you describe the aesthetic?
My room is a true reflection of me. You can see by the colors I chose and the items I used are all related to things I like in the fashion world.

Why did you choose Stewart Smith Photography for your photographer? What was your experience like? What did you love most about it?
My mom had a few friends that had used Stewart and loved what she saw. This was an experience I will never forget because he taught me how to relax and be myself behind the camera. He also helped build up my self-esteem when I saw the finished photos. I loved how true he was to me and how natural my pictures came out. They were all make-up free besides a little mascara.

​​What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
Inspiring things that my nomination does not cover about me is my desire to explore the world. Every country has its own beauty, fashion, history, and style. I find it fascinating how each country can have such a unique culture that makes up its appearance. Also, because fashion is such an inspiration of mine, I want to explore as many styles as I can. I can't imagine a more thrilling experience than being about to do this by exploring the world and seeing/learning about it firsthand.

Where has been your favorite place to travel so far and why?
I love to travel to Florida because I love warm weather and Disney. I truly do not think I have traveled to my favorite place yet, but I believe it is in my future when me and my mother travel to Italy in a few years as my graduation gift. I have always dreamed of going to Italy and it's going to become a reality soon!!

Where are you planning to travel to next and what are you most excited to experience there?
We are planning a trip to Aruba next year and I’m so excited to go because it's a place my mother and grandmother have gone and talked about for years and can finally experience it with them both.

Where would you like to travel to if you could go anywhere in the world and why?
Beside Italy, Africa may be next on my list to experience their culture and all the animals. But to be honest my dream is to travel the world and experience all that I can.

If you were to present a topic to a group of your peers, what would it be and why?
I have always believed that being a beautiful person begins on the inside. I feel that in today's world social media has impacted many teens in such a negative way that it causes teens to lack the confidence they need to love themselves. We need to work together and change this!

What do you feel is the hardest part of about interacting through social media?
I feel you don’t always get a true representation of people.

How could social media be a positive impact for teens rather than negative?
I think social media can impact teens in a positive way by showing teens that people can succeed if they work hard and put their mind to it. It can also teach many positive lessons in life to teens that might not have it so good at home.

What is the hardest thing you have ever accomplished, and how did you do it?
What advice would you give to someone who wants to be where you are today?
I would tell others to work hard and not care what others think of you. You know your truth.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years/what are your plans?
I will still be in college studying interior design.

What is your favorite activity or pastime that was not in your nomination?
I love to kickbox and have family and friends over to use our pool.

Do you have a hidden talent? What is it?
I love to bake!

3 Things on your bucket list
Travel
Model
Jump from a plane

Who do you find inspiring?
My mom because she has always had my back and has taught me to be the best person I can be.

What about you inspires others/why do you think you are inspiring?
 I truly think my kindness to others inspires others to be kind. I also believe I am somewhat of a trend setter with my clothing choices.

Is there anything else you would like to tell us?
I would like you to know that I truly believe you can do anything you put your mind to as long as you go into being honest, kind and true to yourself and others.

Look for Charlee in issue 55 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

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click here for more information on issue 55

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