#hypebae: Tavia Rae Bonetti

Next up on #hypebae, we catch up with Canadian model Tavia Rae Bonetti (@Tavthebabe). Living in the sun, beach, traffic of Los Angeles, Tavia is best known for her tomboy appeal. Appearance, though often deceiving, can only reveal so much about one’s character, hence in this chapter we dig deeper to pick the brains of the brunette babe as she shares her style cues growing up and her worst photo shoot experience during her early career. Currently freelance modeling for various photographers, her unique appeal can also be found on her Instagram page as viewers can see a mix of professionally taken snaps and POV from the eyes of the Tavia. With Nike Air Force 1s being her hands down go-to sneaker of all time, we see her rocking them above the rim in the photos below led by Mat Abad (@badboi).

Tell us about your worst photo shoot experience?

My first test shoots in Montreal when I was 17. It was just me and the photographer in a loft apartment and he somehow managed to get me down to a thong and sneakers doing poses that seemed super strange. It was all fine until I left and felt like I did something wrong – but you know, I’m glad it happened because it taught me how to handle people in situations like that.

Are there any style cues you’ve picked up growing up in a house full of boys?

I’ve always been a tomboy and I think that has a lot to do with how I was raised. Being comfy and stealing baggy tees from them was always the call. I remember one summer when I was about 6/7 years old, my brothers and their buddies would always have their shirts off chilling…so it was only natural for me to do the same… I tried rocking that for as long as it was acceptable.

What do you miss the most about your hometown, Vancouver?

I miss being surrounded by trees! Where I live in Vancouver is about 40 mins out of the city and has so many good hiking trails to lakes practically in my backyard.

Best and worse part about living in LA?

The best is this gem of a restaurant called the Boiling Crab in Korea Town. Go there if you haven’t. Life changing.
The worst would have to be the traffic and the fact that I live in West Hollywood. It’s great for work being close to everything and all but then getting to the beach is hell. If I had it my way I’d be out there everyday swimming.

Favorite pair of sneakers?

Hands down my White Nike Air Force 1s, they are so easy to match with everything. Although, I just bought a new pair of skate shoes. I think I’m going to be spending a lot of time in them so this could change.