Regin Apiim: Spirit Animal

by Jamila Pierre


Yet another one of the motley crew I met a few months ago is being featured because let's face it...they're a fly group of individuals.  

Today I introduce to you Reign Apiim, she is what I deem to be my spirit animal. She is every bit of my soul when I was between the ages of 13-23 yrs old, this is not to degrade her or make her seem juvenile, this is to simply give you yet another peek into who I am and what has cultivated who I have become. From the years between 23 to the present day I lost a piece of myself and I am not 100% sure I'm better off or happy with that fact, but I acknowledge it and live vicariously through those that maintain the essence of the girl I sorta used to be.  

Reign's spirit has a of wild and care free, mixed with a reserved certainty of who she is at this moment and who she is most certain she will be in the years to come. She said to me, " I came to the realization that I am fully in control of my life." 

This was me and it's something I am on a journey back to every day.  

She acknowledges that everything is ever evolving and she doesn't fight it, she just rolls with it, she accepts what she can't change and takes charge of what she knows she can. Speaking with her was a pleasant trip down memory lane, a trip to where the girl I use to be still frolics freely. With that I was lost in the moment...how ever short lived, it made me smile. 

In true Aries fashion, her style is uniquely hers. Is wearing a dress new? No. Is wearing jewelry a new concept? No. Is adorning your tresses with different pieces of treasure untouched territory? NO, but damn it the formula as to which it comes together is anything but ordinary. She isn't a carbon copy, she is just Reign. I was immediately drawn to her for this reason alone, "she had me at hello".

Below are just a few shots from the shoot we had on one of the most beautiful summer days I have ever experienced, along with a few excerpts from her answers to my questions.

 

Photography by: WWW.TRUTHBOXPHOTOGRAPHY.COM (JAMILA PIERRE)

 

"My name is Lashaia Artis (Reignapiim) and I am an Aries artist from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I studied painting, drawing, sculpture, digital media, darkroom photography, printmaking, and fibers. After school I went back to painting and began studying the art of oneness, spirituality, energy, and the laws of attraction. This study began after I gave birth to my brand name: “If you believe (APIIM-All Power is In Me) you will forever reign”. This simple phrase evolved into a philosophy. A philosophy about the harmonic experience one creates in their life from believing in ALL things positive: understanding how much power one has, meditating in the present moment, creating/following your own path, trusting intuition and accepting the infinite journey of growth and possibilities. I also began exploring dream symbolism in order to understand the conversations that goes on between our dream life and waking life, exploring how they can align to teach us about ourselves and heal wounds." 

                                                                         -REIGNAPIIM

 

Photography by: WWW.TRUTHBOXPHOTOGRAPHY.COM (JAMILA PIERRE)

"I have been studying crystals with my experiences and collecting them for the past year, which lead me to making these magic wands. After centering, and allowing the universe to lead me I began to have the most magical experiences with my family, friends and most fascinating .. complete strangers. It is a feeling of being at home, comfortable and confidently ONE in every single situation. Spiritually in touch, I began to become one with people and have very close, in depth and intimate bonding’s with people which gave me a lot of bliss. Through this journey I began to realize what was important in my life and how I wanted that to come out into my art."

                                                                              -REIGNAPIIM

Photography by: WWW.TRUTHBOXPHOTOGRAPHY.COM (JAMILA PIERRE)

"I decided to try and wire wrap a crystal so I can always have it with me for luck, and from that I began adding beads to them making them wands of magic! Now I have something that I can finally say is a reflection of me and can be shared with everyone which is exactly what I want when someone poses’ any piece of art I make. I want the wearer to feel calm, magic, energetic and spiritually uplifted as I do. I want the wearer to feel as if they are a king or queen. Last but not least I want the wearer to feel as if they have the power to manifest their life BEYOND ALL circumstances."

                                                                      -REIGNAPIIM

 

Photography by: WWW.TRUTHBOXPHOTOGRAPHY.COM (JAMILA PIERRE)

"I am inspired by 17th century royal gowns, vintage lingerie, Chanel 1920’s, 1930’s couture, 1940's-50’s vintage Dior specifically the “new look”/”25-yard skirts”, traditional dress/jewels for Indian weddings, African textiles…ALL together with an urban street style edge. I haven’t wore a pair of jeans in ……5 years. I feel as if everyday should be a celebration, special occasion or reason to look like I am “going somewhere”."

                                                                            -REIGNAPIIM

Photography by: WWW.TRUTHBOXPHOTOGRAPHY.COM (JAMILA PIERRE)

 

"I would like to leave a legendary imprint in the world. With my story coming from nothing into everything I could imagine, I would like…WILL be an example that no matter your circumstances, keep staying true to yourself and do whatever you LOVE to do ALL things are possible. The money, the WAY will come after you believe and allow the universe to work. I WILL inspire ALL people more importantly the youth to go after their passion no matter what any system says. There is ALWAYS a way. Plant the seeds and they will eventually grow and unfold into a life YOU have created for yourself by YOUR standards."

                                                                          -REIGNAPIIM

What she wore: 

  1. Dress from a fellow Aries. $0 (Gifted)
  2. Golden shoes Top Shop. $50
  3. Pendent from eBay.com. $5
  4. wand necklace handmade by Reign, from her recent collection. $50-$100
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