At the intersection of beauty, business and bravery is Nikki Gal – a successful model turned mental health advocate and CEO of multiple trailblazing companies. After forming her identity in front of the camera, Gal now uses her keen eye for excellence and profound passion for originality to help brands and young creatives form theirs. THE REAL sat down with the multimedia artist to talk mental health advocacy, disrupting comfort zones and the perpetual path of advocacy.
by Maisy Nichols
Nikki, thank you so much for talking with THE REAL about your incredible career. You’ve been in the modelling industry for over a decade, and were signed to two agencies at just 16 years old – how did you navigate getting signed to massive creative agencies during such formative years, when most young people are still figuring out who they are?
Thank you, I’m excited to talk with you. The start of my career in modelling happened so fast for me. I have always fostered a strong mentality, even from a young age. At the time, I was still figuring out who I was as a young woman, and suddenly I was meeting casting directors, agents, and photographers who wanted to jumpstart my career as a fashion model. And even though I hoped for a successful modelling career, I never depended on the industry’s approval. I knew I was more than just my face. I soon became aware of the business side of modelling. I wasn’t just a young girl showing up for photo shoots — I became my own brand.
You have an incredible catalogue of work across art, media and modelling. What was the first creative outlet that you remember really connecting to as a form of self-expression?
Thank you — I really appreciate that. The first creative outlet I deeply connected with was my art. Before I became a model, I was an art student in high school. I used to fill pages with sketches and canvases with paintings, it is all I ever wanted to do at the time. Over time, my love for the arts expanded into launching my own graphic design company at 20 years old. The power of creativity taught me that art is not always loud or obvious. Sometimes it starts quietly but can transform into something more. And both forms are powerful. In connection to my modelling career, I view fashion as an art form. Over the years I have learned to combine my art background with my fashion career, which has been an empowering experience.
You’ve built a phenomenal brand around self-definition and individuality – what advice would you give to young female creatives that are struggling to explore their artistic identity?
My biggest advice to young female creatives is this— stop waiting for permission to build a career, an identity or a platform. Your artistic identity is not something you have to “earn” — it is something you get to explore, shape, and learn every day. So many young creatives try to brand themselves too soon — but your identity is not a product, it is a process. Don’t rush it.
Earrings: Zara
Suit: Alice and Olivia
How do you stay grounded amidst such success and visibility?
For me, staying grounded starts with remembering why I started — not for validation or applause, but to create and to make people feel seen. I also surround myself with people who know me, not just know me as a brand. That kind of support system is everything. They remind me to rest, to laugh and to be human. I have learned that being grounded isn’t about avoiding growth — it’s about staying connected to your core while you grow.
You’ve produced some incredible artwork that spotlights mental health, especially in women. When did you first feel inspired to create art around this subject, and was it all inspired by your career in the modelling industry?
Thank you so much. My art around mental health — especially women’s mental health — didn’t come from a single moment, but from years of quiet observation. I started creating around this subject when I realized how much we don’t talk about what women carry — emotionally and psychologically — especially in fast paced industries. Throughout my career, I have witnessed women navigate through their own mental health. That’s when I knew I wanted to create work that provided awareness. Art became a way for me to create a space for women to feel less alone. Whether it’s an art piece or a campaign, I always aim to promote the focus of candid discussions. If one piece makes someone feel seen — or comfortable enough to speak — then it has done its job.
Earrings: Zara
Suit: Alice and Olivia
Some of your artwork has also brought attention to the brutality faced by women– as a female artist living in modern America, how have the discussions surrounding women’s rights impacted your artistic perspective?
The conversations around women’s rights, our bodies, our autonomy, and our safety are deeply personal. I have always believed that art is a form of a voice. When I make art, I’m not just expressing — I am promoting visibility for the pain and the resilience that often gets dismissed or silenced. The brutality women face — whether it’s systemic, emotional, or physical — is not new. But now, there’s a cultural shift where more people are willing to confront it. And as a woman, I feel a responsibility to contribute to this through my work. Whether it’s through symbolism within my art, candid campaigns, or raw interviews, my goal is always the same: to disrupt comfort zones and hold space for awareness.
What is the biggest issue that you think the art and fashion communities aren’t paying enough attention to?
In fashion, there’s a glamorization of struggle. There’s rarely infrastructure to support the actual individuals living with mental health disorders. Mental health struggles especially in women are stylized for campaigns, visuals, and social media aesthetics, but without any actual conversation or support behind it. We need more than just visual acknowledgment — we need spaces of safety, recovery, and honesty, especially present in fast paced industries. In the art world, it’s similar. Certain pieces get showcased only when they’re digestible or “on brand.” What we need is more accountability and depth. So for me, the work I produce is about creating change — change that is something real, lasting, and human.
What inspired you to create your brand Gal Intimates, that focuses on affordable intimate wear?
The inspiration behind Gal Intimates was personal. I created the brand because I wanted to challenge the narrative around what intimate wear should be — not just in how it looks, but in how it makes women feel. Being present in the fashion industry, I saw first hand how clothing was often designed without real women in mind — uncomfortable fabrics, sizing that didn’t make sense, and price points that made confidence feel like a luxury. And as a woman, I was tired of having to choose between feeling empowered and feeling comfortable. So I created Gal Intimates to change that.
Earrings: Zara
Jacket: Alice and Olivia
Can you walk me through your creative process for producing your artwork? Does it vary from piece to piece?
My creative process definitely shifts depending on the piece, but it always starts with emotion. There’s usually a specific feeling or moment I am trying to translate. Once I begin producing — whether it is a visual piece or digital art — I focus on texture and contrast. I want the work to feel layered, just like the reoccurring themes I explore: womanhood, mental health and the celebration of identity.
Who are the women that have significantly influenced your journey as an artist, either personally or creatively?
Personally, my mother has been one of my greatest influences. Her strength taught me the language I bring to my work. Creatively, I have always been drawn to women who never apologize for taking up space — Angelina Jolie, Maya Angelou, and Penélope Cruz. Their work has given me permission to explore different mediums of creativity and expression.
Earrings: Zara
Suit: Alice and Olivia
You have also built multiple trailblazing companies – what does being a CEO mean to you beyond the title?
Being a CEO, to me, goes so far beyond a title — it’s about ownership of vision, values, and responsibility. It means being the architect of something that reflects not just what you want to build, but why you’re building it. I have always viewed entrepreneurship as a form of creative activism.
How important is vulnerability in building a powerful brand?
For me, vulnerability has always been the foundation of everything I create — whether it’s my art, my companies, or my advocacy work. I believe in branding that connects. In my opinion, the most powerful brands are the ones that lead with purpose. Vulnerability is what makes that relatable.
Top: Zara
What has been the most rewarding project that your company has worked on? And what would you say is the mission behind your company?
The most rewarding project was a campaign that centered around body image in women, through my company Gal Intimates back in 2022. The campaign featured 20 women across the United States, all wearing the same piece from the brand. All 20 women were in their own element, wearing the same piece in a way that spoke to them individually. This campaign was raw presentation of inclusivity, self expression, as well as unity. Through Gal Intimates, everything exists to amplify women. The mission is not to focus on trends — as the mission is to focus on the empowerment of identity.
Do you believe every entrepreneur has a responsibility to advocate for something bigger than their business?
Entrepreneurship has never just been about building businesses for me — it’s about building impact. I didn’t create brands just to sell products. I created them to challenge narratives, to open conversations, and to give women a space to feel represented. Not every entrepreneur will have a goal of becoming an advocate. But in my own experience, a business can be a foundation for advocacy. I hope my career can inspire others to move forward within their own advocacy efforts.
Are there any new art forms or projects that you are desperate to tackle some day?
Lately I have been inspired to create more advocacy campaigns for mental health, especially in the modeling industry. I have previously launched a podcast and campaigns that promote this advocacy mission, but I wish to launch more in addition to these projects. The more mental health is talked about, the more we will be able to advocate for each other and for ourselves.
Follow Nikki Gal on Instagram @nikkicgal
Team credits:
Photography, styling and creative direction: Nikki Gal @shotsbygal
