Born in the Dominican Republic, Omahyra Mota Garcia has been a striking presence on the world’s runways since the early 2000s, when she made her debut in the industry at the age of 15. More than two decades into her career, she continues to appear on magazine covers, star in campaigns for brands like Jean Paul Gaultier, and walk the runway for major houses, including Mugler and Nina Ricci. This August, she is featured in Bazaar’s annual performance portfolio modeling some of fall’s most defining looks. Below, she talks about growing up, embracing her androgynous beauty, and raising her two daughters.
I’m an ’80s baby. There were no androgynous icons when I grew up. I remember when I was applying for modeling jobs, I was like, “Mom, I don’t look like these girls.” In school the kids would be like, “You look like a boy.” And my two girls now get confused for boys too. I told my oldest, “This is gonna happen your whole life, you’re always gonna have people calling you ‘sir,’ but you’re gonna be okay.” It’s something that’s just always been there for me, but when I came to modeling, designers were actually embracing it, so I didn’t feel awkward all the time. I was more comfortable in these rooms and spaces.
It’s amazing, embracing your type of beauty. The modeling industry is more open now, but it has become so corporate, it’s missing fire.
Being born in the Dominican Republic is different. I live in Queens, New York, now, but as a DR kid, you have more batteries, you grow up faster. The first food that I put in my mouth after my mom’s breast milk was arroz con habichuelas. Latin culture has so much heart, so much passion, family, faith. Now that I’m older, I see that I am my mother. I am my grandmother, my sister, my brother, my neighborhood, my country.
I came into modeling at 15, but I felt like I was already an adult—naively, but I did. After all these years, the job feels the same to me; I still get the butterflies. It feels natural, like I’ve been here before, but I still get nervous right before a show. When I look at an outfit, I try to understand what the designer is saying about it. I have to get into that mindset and project this feeling with confidence, power, pride—as much strength as possible. It’s a rush of craziness; I concentrate on performing through my eyes and thoughts, so people can feel it. I think playing a character is making you believe. It’s not about me becoming the character—it’s more about convincing you of this character. It takes a lot.
Off the runway, if I’m dressing to go out, I like to wear black because it’s mysterious—it’s heavy, you know? It’s deep. On social media I think I show facets of myself. I post things that I think are cool, music—Black Sabbath, Pink Floyd—and paintings as well.
I’m most myself when I’m painting. There are no walls; it’s just me—like, really me. The feeling I get is just oozing calmness. Everyone in the family is an artist—we’re sculptors and painters. And my girls—I can’t finish a painting without asking my eldest what she thinks. She is always right. Since they were little, I would go buy them paint stuff from Michaels, and we had white walls in our apartment and I just said, “Paint on the walls, wherever you want.” So, the whole house was full of writing and drawings. You can buy white paint, you can buy a new couch, you know what I mean? I never want to stop them when it comes to art, because I can see that they’re dreaming.
This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.
Styling: Carlos Nazario; hair: Jimmy Paul; makeup: Yadim for Valentino Beauty; manicure: Dawn Sterling for Nail Glam; production: Day International; set design: Griffin Stoddard; special thanks to Please Space Studios.
