From Brooklyn to the Runway, ESU Sophomore Returns to Finish What She Started

Iesha Hodges is a self-proclaimed tomboy from Brooklyn, N.Y. She used to wear sneakers every day, loved sports and hated the thought of makeup. Today, she’s trading in her sneakers for stilettos.

A sophomore at East Stroudsburg University who walks more than just the college campus, Hodges just returned to ESU this semester after walking for Marc Jacobs during New York City fashion week for the second time.

Just as she was settling into her first year at ESU, Hodges was announced the winner of V Magazine and FORD Models search at the end of her first semester of college. Soon after she heard the news, after screaming and dancing around her dorm room, Hodges packed her bags and left ESU for a semester to pursue her modeling dream.

The 19-year-old student and fashion model still sees herself as a “normal girl from Brooklyn.” Hodges’ modeling career is not something that was always in her plans. It started when she was attending high school in New York.

“On my way to school, I started having scouts approach me and ask me if I was interested in modeling,” she said.

Two years later— after doing some research, building her portfolio, and going in for castings— Hodges found herself jumping into the fashion world with both feet.

The V/FORD Models win launched her career. Her winnings included representation by Ford Models, one of the industry’s top agencies, a trip to Paris, and a spread in V Magazine. She walked the runaway for Marc Jacobs in the winter of 2014. She returned to ESU this semester and juggled walking for Jacobs in September for the second time with waking up the next day for her morning classes.

“It doesn’t feel real,” she said. “I want to show people my journey, and I want other people to know their dreams can come true too.”

But Hodges admits all this is a lot to take on for a newbie in the fashion world. She spent her first few days in Paris shaking off the nerves.

“I was a mess,” she said. “I was an 18-year old in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, but I had absolutely no confidence.”

Confidence came with experience, and Paris wound up being Hodges’ favorite, indescribable memory.

It might be hard for some to believe that after spending a year backstage with Victoria’s Secret models, and traveling to the fashion capital of the world, Hodges made the decision to return to her simple life at ESU.

A first generation college student and the first member of her family to graduate from high school, Hodges wanted to finish what she started.

“Nobody can take your education away from you,” she said. “Modeling will always be there but school is my number one priority.”

Hodges has big dreams that will follow her graduation from ESU in two years, but she has no intentions on sharing those dreams with the world until they come true.

Hodges does, however, want to tell everyone and anyone who is willing to listen about her journey so far and inspire them to chase after their dreams.

“I never thought any of this would ever happen to me, this Brooklyn girl, but if it can happen for me it can happen for anyone,” she said.

Hodges urges every single person to think about their dreams, write them down, and go out and make them a reality.

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