TAYLOR MORLAND

We chat with the talented Taylor Morland and delve into the story and inspiration for her Golf Boutique, MADE. We find out a little more about her fascinating modelling journey and gain insight into her experience as a competitor in beauty pageants in the USA. We end up discovering how Taylor fills her free time and she also shares some advice she'd give to her 15-year-old self.

"Everything happens for a reason and everything that is happening is not happening to you, it’s happening around you."

How incredible is your new brand…MADE! Where did the inspiration come from? Do you play golf yourself?

I grew up, playing golf with my dad and my half-brother. My dad is a professional golfer so I was just always around it. The idea came to me when I was in Palm Springs and didn’t have any clothes to wear to the course. I went shopping and didn’t like what I saw. Nothing ever fit well enough to where it was flattering on my body and everything I somewhat liked, was too pricey… so I decided to make my own golf boutique. Now I get to feel comfortable and more confident while I play in my free time.

We'd LOVE to hear how you journeyed to where you are in your modelling career now - do you have any crazy highlights where you've thought "Wow, how did this happen"? Did you always dream of being a model?

I was actually scouted on Facebook by Eric Stern who was a friend of my mother’s. I grew up playing sports and had to take a break from soccer due to an injury, so with that free time I decided to let my mom post my first digitals on Facebook and accidentally got scouted. Lucky for me I grew up watching my mom model and I learned a lot from her on set and it landed me a contract with Wilhelmina Models Miami at the age of 14 I believe. I met with the Wilhelmina Los Angeles office at 15 and they signed me at 17 and I made the big move across the country to LA. I do have one crazy highlight that always makes me feel blessed. I received an email that said I had booked a test shoot for Guess, and I remembered calling my mom in shock. I never really dreamed of becoming a model it was just something I grew up around and enjoyed doing and never got burned out. So I stuck with it.

You’re currently living in LA! How are you finding it? Can you tell us a little about where you grew up before moving to the big city?  

Yes! I’ve lived in LA for around 2 years now, I didn’t know anyone when I first got here. It was a really big move for me coming from Flagler Beach, Florida. I was originally born in Orlando Florida and moved around a lot. I moved back to my mom's hometown in Mississippi, and Tennessee for a tiny bit. I resided mostly in Florida though. I loved the beach as a kid and playing outside with friends. I played a lot of sports as much as possible to keep busy outside of schooling. That’s where my love grew for nature and doing tomboy things came from for sure. I’d say moving to a very large city was a big shock for me as I was navigating a new industry as a teen. It’s definitely not for everybody and I think that the city can be a lot for a young girl. I’ve grown to like the city after spending time here working. I’ve met some amazing friends and some really amazing souls out here. Very blessed to be able to continue working out here in LA.

Your body is incredible, do you follow a strict workout routine?

Well thank you! I have to say for most models it’s either our genetics or our dedication to working out and learning about what foods and workout routines work for our body types. There’s no strict routine for me other than trying not to miss my personal training appointments with Prime Technique. Training for strength and stretching really helps my mental health and my overall health. Obviously keeping my body and mind happy and healthy is key and very important for my job. My favourite workout tip is to go out to workout classes and go with a friend to try something new. You never know what you like until you try it!

We often see your Miss Teen USA flashbacks on your socials, a beauty pageant so foreign to us here in Australia! Tell us about your experience competing.

That is so interesting. I feel like pageants really get a bad rep because there is an argument that it’s only about beauty. Maybe that’s why pageantry over there isn’t huge( among other places). I grew up watching Miss USA, Miss Universe and Miss America. I was amazed by the fashion and how well-spoken they all are. I did school and county pageants for fun to get comfortable with public speaking. I fell in love with it as well as training for it and learning more about myself. Later on, I competed at 14 for Miss Florida Teen USA. I placed Top 15, then Top 5 & I finished runner-up my last year eligible for competition at 18. I had a great time and met a lot of girls going through similar life experiences and sometimes I run into them at random times. I really loved it but I think I’m retired from pageantry for now and focusing on modeling. Who knows, I might get the pageant bug and be back for the Miss USA crown one day.

We would love to get to know you outside of the modelling world...how do you spend your free time?

I love this question because I feel like no one really knows this. I really love doing things I grew up doing. I love Top Golf, spending time with my girlfriends, going to concerts, fishing, hiking, painting, watching sunrises in Malibu and listening to music super loud in the car with no destination, well those drives mostly end up at a Chick-fil-A. I just really like being outside since most of my work is in Studios.

Have you travelled much? Tell us about your favourite place you’ve visited, and your travel bucket list… if you have one!

I loved Hawaii it was so beautiful! The food was amazing, the nature was unreal and the people were so sweet. It was just a great trip. I actually do have a list of places I’d like to go eventually. I want to see the northern lights really bad or go snowboarding in Jackson Hole Wyoming. The list goes on but those are at the top of my list right now.

We love lounging around in the sun in bikinis, although we're biased…. What does your ideal weekend or getaway look like?

My ideal weekend getaway is going to Palm Springs to golf with the girls and lay by the pool. I also love taking trips with friends to ride horses in Topanga.

You look incredible in all our swimwear! If you had to choose a favourite piece from our last shoot, what would it be?

This is such a hard question! Everything just fits like a glove and I loved all the patterns and colors. I’d have to say Ziggy Pop is the coolest pattern ever and the colors just pop. It’s gorgeous.

We all have our go-to beauty products! What is the one beauty product you could not live without?

I cannot live without an eyelash curler, I just can’t do it! The Tarte eyelash curler is iconic and always in my purse.

If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your 15-year-old self?

Oh gosh, I wish I could go back. I was so unsure of my future because I was stuck in my room because of the pandemic. I was verbally talking down on myself and making myself uncomfortable in my body. I’d say to my 15-year-old self everything happens for a reason and everything that is happening is not happening to you, it’s happening around you and as you get older you’ll become very comfortable in your own skin and love yourself. Very sappy, but every young girl needs to hear that.

QUICK FIRE!

Last song you played on Spotify? 
“Smaller Acts” by Zach Bryan. 

Last place you swam?
I swam in the ocean in Malibu, the view and water were so beautiful.

Last amazing meal you ate?
I love this restaurant in LA called Du-pars, I had the best omelette ever.

Last shopping splurge?
I just bought my first car, it’s a cute little SUV.

Last workout?
I like to take the weekends off. The last workout was a killer lower body person training on Friday with Prime Technique.

Last time you felt or saw love?
Haha, well I feel love every day from my best friend and my mom. Love my little girl gang.

Last time you felt super inspired?
 I don’t know if I was inspired recently but I do have a huge dream to be wearing INC as a Sports Illustrated Rookie one day! Fingers crossed.