Michelle “Mimi” Gray is a 27-year-old single mother. She is a former United States Marine, who’s currently studying Criminal Justice, as well as working full-time. She loves Jesus with all her heart and soul, and she just started modeling a few months ago.
1) What brought about a passion to model?
I have always been interested in fashion and being a model. I, like most women, have a love for shoes and clothes. I was told alot, while I was younger, that I should model. I never pursued it until just a few months ago, after receiving some very encouraging words from a few people in my life.
2) Who are some creative influences or people who’ve encouraged you to model?
There are so many people that have encouraged me to model. My family (Mom, Dad, Jason, Cory and MeeMee). My friends (Felicia, RicLamar, Isaac Ellis, Denisha…just to name a few). And Jai–she gave me that extra boost of confidence that I needed to go out and pursue my dreams.
3) How do you plan to master your arena for the glory of God?
I plan on mastering this arena by showing other young girls and women, whether they are saved or unsaved, that you do not have to look like what is portrayed on our televisions or what we see in the magazines. I want to show them that we can be Godly women and still dress nice or uniquely. Also, to use it as a tool to witness to those that are unsaved and bring them to Christ.
4) Have Christians mostly been encouraging or discouraging in what you do?
Christians have been mostly encouraging in what I do. I have gotten a lot of positive feedback on what I am doing, and that has made me want to continue on with my goal of letting my clothes be the open window to start a conversation about Christ.
5) Do you think beauty and fashion are misrepresented in modeling? How have you found a way to glorify God in it?
I do think that beauty and fashion are misrepresented in modeling, because if you follow what is on television, or what they have in magazines, then you would think that you have to be a size 0 to be a model, and that you have to almost wear next to nothing to make in in the industry.
I believe I have found a way to glorify God in it by working with someone who’s vision I believe in. RicLamar believes that the runway is your pulpit and that your ministry starts with your clothes. So before you even say anything to a person, and by them just seeing what you have on, you can be given that window of opportunity to minster to them about Christ.
6) What would be success or failure in your pursuit of this career?
I believe that success in this career would be winning souls for Christ. I do not believe that I can fail, because I am doing this to glorify God and to be used by him.
Michelle “Mimi” Gray can be contacted via facebook or email at www.facebook.com/mdgray31 or mimidanigray@gmail.com.
WOW WOW WOW!!! Awesome look. Awesome Personality. Awesome Questions. Awesome Answers! Keep pressing forward Michelle!!!!
As a guy, I would like to present a question of modesty. While by comparison to the rest of the modeling industry, you appear to dress very modestly, I would challenge that we are not compared to the rest of the world for we have a higher standard. Some of the photos above do not represent the kind of things I want to be taking in through my eyes. The dress in the top photo shows a lot of skin. The bottom photo has an air of sensuality to it that lures my mind to places I do not want to go. Please hear my heart on this, I am not looking to condemn. Just be aware that this is what your brothers in Christ or guys of the world may be seeing and thinking. We are not called to fit in, we are called to stand out, be set apart. Call me a hater, but these are my thoughts. Call me fanatical, it’s true… I’m an F A N A T I C, fanatic! But that’s what my God has called me to be.
This is amazing the answers to each question really touched me… Wow “The runway is our pulpit” RicLamar
Pretty good post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed reading your blog posts. Any way I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you post again soon.
Nic, it appears that you have issues and you need to kneel down in prayer and ask the Lord to drive all the darkness out of your mind. In my opinion the above pictures are very TASTEFUL. When looking at the pictures above when compared to other pictures in magazines, websites and television these pictures stand out as being unique,because body parts are not being shown. Keep up the good work Michelle.
From a woman’s perspective!
How about a DOUBLE WOW, WOW, WOW!!!!! First of all I would like to say that it’s nice to see beauty being displayed in a tasteful manner. Outstanding photos and to the one who took these pictures, you have a wonderful talent in capturing the moment. To the individual who commented on this being somewhat untasteful or ungodly, please let me comment. There is nothing that says that we can’t dress and display the beauty in which God has blessed us with. There is a standard that we are to uphold and that standard is to maintain who we are in Christ and present ourselves in an acceptable manner. You commented on her showing too much skin, then that would lead me to believe that no Christian woman can go to the beach and wear a bikini, or better yet that she can’t wear a pair of shorts (mid thigh) with a halter top, leaving her legs and shoulders exposed. The problem is not what she is wearing but perhaps it is your ability to control what your eyes are seeing and what is happening in your thoughts. We come across beautiful women everyday, some dressed and some barely dressed, but as I pass them through the mall, I don’t allow my mind to wonder. Lust is when you gaze upon something long enough to have an impure thought. Your eyes are the gateway so I would suggest to you that maybe you are not mature enough in your walk to handle these photo’s but as a fellow Christian, I have viewed these photo’s and they are alright. Beautiful, Beautiful Photo’s. Thanks for representing.
Guesswho, you are right on point. Speaking “As a guy”, I think those pictures are acceptable in celebrating our Lord. Michelle, the pics are great and keep on doing what your doing in the Lord’s name.
Guesswho. Not sure what you mean by “drive all the darkness out of your mind.” Please explain. Where does God do this in the Bible. Are you talking about his inherent desire for members of the opposite sex? Because those desires aren’t bad. They are to be fulfilled by his wife. Just saying.
And besides that, I would like to say that I agree with Nic. Whose standard are we judging our actions by? If we keep judging ourselves and others by the world’s standards, we’re are only fooling ourselves. God will not be mocked in the end. So we can rationalize all we want about “how much skin it’s okay to show”, etc., but I don’t think that will ever be the right question.
First of all, thanks to everyone who responded to me, and the way in which you did so. While I may be in disagreement with you, up to this point I see nothing but healthy discussion going on here, and I am pleased to engage.
To Guesswho: I think you missed my point. First of all, I never said that these pictures caused me to stumble. I simply said that they were not the kind of thing I want to be taking in through my eyes, and that they lured (tempted) me to go places I didn’t want to go. I live in this world, I see things that I shouldn’t, and I’ve learned how to protect my mind and my heart from them. But you cannot base whether or not something is appropriate by whether or not it makes someone stumble. You mentioned that these pictures stand out as different from the rest of the modeling world, but as I already mentioned, we do not compare ourselves to this world. Finally, As a guy, I will never be able to fully comprehend how women think, and likewise you will never be able to fully comprehend how we think. You will never be able to fully understand the effect that images can have on a guy. Please consider this.
To Franky: You are right that there is nothing in Bible saying that we cannot dress to display the beauty with which we have been blessed. But let me remind you of what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 10:23-24 “All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable All things are lawful, but not all things edify. Let no one seek his own good, but that of his neighbor.” And Also in 1 Corinthians 8:9 he says, “But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.” We as mature Christians need to be watching out for our brothers and sisters who are not as strong, not justifying our actions based on what we are “allowed” to do. And in case you were wondering, as a result of what I said above, I don’t think a Christian woman should ever go to the beach in a bikini or wear short shorts and halter tops (and I interact daily with men and women of God who believe likewise).
To Michelle: Please do not take any of this personally. I am not trying to attack or condemn you or what you are doing. I simply wanted to raise some questions and discuss them. As Daniel pointed out, it can be easy to rationalize whether something is right or wrong. This is not a question of right or wrong, it is a question of whether it glorifies God. If, as you stated, you believe that what you are doing is glorifying God, be blessed and move forward in your ministry. I think you have a great opening into a very unreached demographic of people, an opportunity that many people do not have. Don’t let that go.
Blessing to all my brothers and sisters with their Ls in the air.
This was wonderful!! The pictures are awesome, the modeling was beautiful and RicLamar did an excellent job with the creations (designs). Each week, I look forward to seeing the new creations and designs that RicLamar has come up with and that are posted. You model and wear the designs so beautifully….naturally and looking so peacefully ( a God given talent). I am happy that you are doing what you feel is glorifying to God. There are not alot of people in the world that do what they do to glorify our Lord. When you do what you feel is in honor to our creator, it shows! No matter what anyone says….it is all in how YOU chose to honor GOD. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I think all of the pictures are BEAUTIFUL!! Keep pressing forward in your modeling and giving praise to God and you will go far in this industry and your life!! Keep up the great work RicLamar, I Ellis, and Michelle!!! In Him, MeeMee Gray.
I came across this page and I was quite pleased with what I read and saw. I would like to bring forth some things to think about.
~Who is one to say what is of the world and is not? Is playing sports of the world? Should a young boy that is excellent in basketball not play because the coach and many of the teammates are unsaved and he is? Would that not become then that young man’s ministry….not only to excel in the gift that God blessed him with but to let his light shine before others. Does not that same example speak true for whether you are a receptionist, lawyer, writer, doctor, gymnast, police officer, model, waitress…etc. In whatever you do should you not do it as unto the Lord? I know my bible states to do so. How can you state we do not compare ourselves to this world? In fact we do. We compare what is righteous and unrighteousness. We look at the world’s standard and up lift our own to one that glorifies God so that our other brothers and sisters that have yet come to the Lord can see the difference. If someone is sick, do not they go to a doctor? And that doctor takes them in and cares for them. Why then with our brothers and sisters caught in sin are we so quick to shun them? Is that how you draw others? My bible says to do it with love. And yet we can’t understand why people look at Christians as shams because we’re so quick to point a finger, rather than look inward and try to help and love the ones around us. No matter what your job is in this world, your ministry first starts with you….the way you talk, react to others, your character, your APPEARANCE. The clothes designer Ric Lamar is a Christian man designing clothes for woman & men that are tasteful and fashionable. Not only that, but I’ve seen he designs clothes with christian slogans. ( We can all agree that these days the clothes found in stores, especially for young woman are too tight or too revealing…and who wants a label plastered across their behind?) What this young man is doing is nothing different from the C28 clothing line and I commend him for his efforts. I have seen his clothes displayed at various christian artists shows. I myself attended a concert in which I brought an unsaved friend and he bought one of Ric Lamar’s shirts and it was after that night he started going to church and I know the Lord is still drawing him. People often see clothes or shoes they like and ask the person where they got it from and that opens an excellent window to draw someone to Christ. Within Ms.Michelle’s answers she stated that she would use this to glorify God “by showing other young girls and women, whether they are saved or unsaved, that you do not have to look like what is portrayed on our televisions or what we see in the magazines. I want to show them that we can be Godly women and still dress nice or unique”. Nothing in these pictures suggest sensuality and neither is the clothing inappropriate. The clothes or pictures do not accent her shape, chest, or behind…she isn’t bent over nor are her legs splayed. She doesn’t even have on sensual looking make up. The pictures are done in a taste of fashion. If any man cannot look upon these with out being tempted then he needs to take time to himself to get his mind right. Lust & temptation begins in the heart…
I do not wish to draw this out longer than it should be, and I feel that we are creeping very closely to an unhealthy argument, so I will share a few more thoughts and then be done.
This life is about honoring God, but it is NOT in any way about how YOU choose to honor God. God has a plan for you, and He chooses. And if you are not walking in that plan, you are not honoring God. We do not decide to do God’s work. God is working and He gives us the opportunity to join Him in what He is already doing.
To Le’Cee: You ask how I can state that we do not compare ourselves to this world. Turn with me to Galatians 4, “But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another.” If we are not to compare ourselves to one another, how much more so are we to not compare ourselves to the world. We do not look at the world and set our standard as a result. In fact, we do not even set our standard… God does. We need to look at the standard that God sets and each one compare himself to that. You assume that i am not acting out of love, but how much more love can a brother in Christ have than to raise concerns in a non-condemning manner. (I have done nothing to condemn Michelle or her ministry, and in fact have encouraged her) This is not my attempt to come across as more holy than anyone, nor is it an attempt to attack or condemn. I am simply looking to encourage Godly thinking. To present a different perspective than you: You state that her legs are not splayed… If you look at the top photo, her legs are well over shoulder width apart (in a rather unnatural looking position). If that is not legs splayed, I don’t know what is. (please to not think that I am drawing a line at shoulder width, I am simply looking to provide a different perspective) You imply that I should be able to look at these photos without being tempted. The day that I can do so, I shall shudder with fear. The only way that would happen is the day I have either been so calloused by the world that I cease to notice or I have denied the realization of temptation in my life. I do believe that I should be able to look at them without stumbling (as I have done), but to deny temptation is a dangerous thing.
Joshua Harris gives the example of sin as a bunch of poisonous pills. So often we look at them and say, “I wonder how many I can take without dying?” The question we should be asking is, “How far can I get from this poison?” If I am going to lean to one side or the other, I am going to lean away from the questionable. There is no room for complacency with God. James 4 states that “friendship with the world is hostility toward God” Therefore I refuse compromise in my life. And i have people in my life who keep me accountable to that. It doesn’t always feel good and often times feels like I am being attacked, but that pain is a necessary part of the Christian life.
I must say that I am a little shocked by the opposition that my comments have faced here. (not upset or angry, just a little shocked) I feel like I stumbled into a place where it is taboo to say anything negative about anything labeled “Christian.” This is not the Christianity that I know, where out of love, brothers and sisters raise concerns, even if the truth may hurt. Oh how different the church would look if we all assumed that all of our brothers and sisters had our best intentions in mind. How much like the world have we become? No one has even used the Word of God in their comments (with the exception of a vague reference to 1 Corinthians 10:31 by Le’Cee). And with the exception of Daniel, I’ve essentially been told that I’m messed up for being attracted to girls and that I need to grow up and mature so that I can lower my standards and not be concerned about it. This is not what I see as encouraging.
Please hear my heart on this. I do not wish to attack or condemn. I only wish that we as Christians could grow up, stop comparing our actions to the world and each other, and start living by the Word of God. I truly wish that I could look each one of you in the eye as I say all of this so that you could hear the sincerity in my voice. No sarcasm, no condemnation. Simply truth that I hold dear to my heart.
Again to Michelle: No personal attacks. Keep reppin’ our Lord and Savior. Share the gospel with everyone you meet. Blessings on you and your ministry.
I rest my case here with love and truth to all of my brothers and sisters.
WOW!!! Michelle, RicLamar, Isaac Ellis…amazing work! I am so encouraged by how the Lord is using you for His work. Keep it up you all. Beautiful! <3
I am a female that loves the RicLamar designs and pieces and look forward to each new post. But even I winced at some of the images and hoped that some more modest pictures were posted here.
The ministry is very fresh, unique and powerful, and compared to the world, modest yes! But like Nic says, we do have a different standard. Not only do we aim for modesty, but are we aiming to be “as modest as we can be” to be completely ABOVE REPROACH as Christ ambassadors.
I love what Michelle is doing and am glad that she has embraced this role in the Kingdom. But I also know that God can prune us to be more effective in how we preach the Gospel and that is all I am praying. We will never agree on these “gray areas” but I know the Holy Spirit continues to mature those that are His
Some consider me a model because I get asked to take many pics, but even still God continues to refine what I allow to be photographed. I have taken pictures that all my Christian family was okay with, but Holy Spirit just told me to crop off the 2 inches of shoulder that was showing – just to make sure His name (on me) remained unsuggestive and unblemished. Just 2 inches! – you’d be surprised of the little things/ poses that can turn a picture from suggestive to truly atistic.
Keep pursuing Him! Great post!
I just want to say, lets stop taking the focus off of what this is for, Who this is for, and the person who is doing this for God. That particular question should have been posted on the link that said FACEBOOK or EMAIL. If you read her question and answer, obviously temptation is not the intent. Women used to wear long dresses that covered their entire bodies…DIDN’T stop them from getting pregnant. The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life and he that wins souls is wise. She clearly stated she is using her look to the Kingdom’s advantage….BACK TO OUR REGULAR PROGRAMMING. Michelle, Awesome job. You look Awesome. Ric…you’ve done it again. I pray much success for what yall are setting out to do. Michelle, thanks for being not just a MODEL, but a ROLE MODEL for women. They have so many other women to look towards that are presenting themselves ungodly. Your look is attractive and bold for the Kingdom. God’s people need to understand the concept of making the Kingdom look attractive. We fail to realize that even though we realize it is attractive, at one point as unbeliever, we didn’t recognize its beauty. Thanks for the reminder!
“WHO IS ONE TO SAY WHAT IS OF THE WORLD AND IS NOT?” -Le’Cee
Let us look no further that GOD’S word!!!
“I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; likewise also THAT WOMEN SHOULD ADORN THEMSELVES IN RESPECTABLE APPAREL, WITH MODESTY AND SELF-CONTROL, NOT WITH BRAIDED HAIR AND GOLD OR PEARLS OR COSTLY ATTIRE, BUT WITH WHAT IS PROPER FOR WOMEN WHO PROFESS GODLINESS–with good works.”
1 Timothy 2:8-10
We must seek to walk in His revealed will in the Bible before we go and debate on whether something is Christian or not; whether something is pleasing to God or not.
all i can say is wow
Mimi,
Keep rockin’ it out sister! You truly are my inspiriation…through lucky charms, baked spagetti, and oreos and milk
You’re amazing! Can’t wait to see the rest of Project 52…its the highlight of my week 
WOW, get it girl. I am so proud of you girl. You really be taking good pics. Keep up the good work.
Mimi! I’m so proud of you sis! I love EVERY pic!! Especially the last one – so “free to be me” like. Dontcha think? To God be the glory!
Ric! I see you brother! Keep doing what you’re doing despite your haters – they keep us going!!
Thank you NR, you said it best on that topic – NUFF SAID! (SN: get that Transparency CD by NR – its hot..lol)
I love my brothers and sisters doing it hard for Christ!
I love God. whew!!!
Michelle, awesome pictures, keep up the good work!
Nic, how were you able to see Michelle’s pictures with that plank in your eye? If you have a problem with models, why are you looking at modeling photos? Commenting negatively on modeling while looking at a modeling page just shows that you don’t know your own boundaries. If you know that looking at models dressed a certain way causes you to stumble, then you should not look at models at all. Find a new hobby. Expecting the world to change to cater to your issues is not the Christian way, it’s the selfish way. These are very appropriate pictures portraying a Christian Designer, a Christian Photographer and a Christian Model. Keep working on avoiding the blocks in your life and focus on becoming more like Jesus.
AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME!!
Riclamarclothing – I want all of the outfits shown on these pictures.
IEllis – awesome with the camera
Michelle G. – You are awesome and you were made to be in front of that camera
ALL of you continue to give God glory!
Just want to encourage that we may not agree all the time about what someone believe but never take the word and try to argue with it. Show love and pray. Pray for our understanding how we look at things and ASK GOD that we don’t operate in our own perspectives. Or what somebody told us, or where they said it was in the word. Because we are always suppose to go back to the word after it has been preached by man, and ask GOD about understanding.
THE ENEMY HATES THE FACT THAT GOD IS GETTING THE GLORY RIGHT NOW THROUGH MICHELLE WITH FASHION!!!
IF WE ARE ALL REACHING FOR THE KINGDOM SHOUTS OUT TO GOD!!
THE DEVIL TRYING TO TAKE THIS MOMENT FROM HIM
ALL BECAUSE SOMEBODY SEES DIFFERENTLY HE JUST SPOKE FOR LOTS OF MALES WHO FEEL THAT WAY AND ARE SCARED TO SAY SOMETHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE THEY WERE GOING TO BE LOOKED AT A CERTAIN WAY!
AND WE SHOULDN’T HAVE CLOSE MIND ABOUT IT BUT ASK GOD TO REVEAL HOW TO GO ABOUT IT!! WORKING TOGETHER!!!
LAUGHING AT THE ENEMY HA HA HA!!!
OUTSPOKEN POETRESS
I LOVE ALL OF YOU!
Hello Everyone,
Wow!!! what a response!!!
First we would like everyone to know the pictures have been updated as of September 1st 2010…
We are not here to judge anyone comments or comment back to any specific comment. However we would like to say this… Everyone has an opinion and is entitled to it… We ask that you respect each other and show love in each comment… Instead of addressing each other negatively encourage each other not through criticism but through love and PRAYER…
We are all works in progress and as RicLamar’s Ministry grows we plead with you to pray for everyone involved… Let us remember who the enemy is….
If you have any questions that you would like to ask the designer feel free to email riclamar@riclamar.com and even check out the facebook page http://www.facebook.com/riclamarclothing
God Bless
RicLamar Clothing
“The runway is our pulpit”
I am sooooo proud to be your brother..to see you grow from the shy little girl to the might woman of God that you are today. I pray that God will continue to bless you in all that you do for Him. Keep your head to the sky….not to look down on ppl but to focus on God. Continue to be a great mother to my youngest nephew and i love you so much and will always be here for you and to support you
Michelle, you are soooo beautiful!!
And yes, I love the updated pictures! Attractive – yet classy and unsuggestive. Beauty without the blemish of worldliness. Its a hard battle working in the fashion field for God but you and RicLamar.com are making great strides!
I love what God is doing in the work you all do. Keep submitting to Him and HE will prune and give His feedback on everything you do. As disciples, we are all supposed to give wise counsel and make right judgment to encourage holiness (1 COr. 5:12) but in the end, ONLY GOD’S WORD MATTERS. Stand on it
WOW to all… this has turned into a novel. Great work MiMi…. Keep it up
To all, please join in on the movement at GodOverMoney.com…. get a shirt to support and take a listen to music from up and coming messenger Bizzle. Crazy flow and amazing gift to rhyme it in a way that will connect with the ppl who need it most…. A pasted group of some of his truth lyrics below:
“BeforeI jump in Satans cirlce I’d much rather be a square”
“I dont need approval, I promise Ima change the game and Ima keep it to you…Its a shame that I can say the realest thangs but if I mention God’s Name you gonna see it as Im preaching to you”
“Tell ya daughter not to let these songs mislead her into thinking if he buy her something he can mistreat her”
“Why chase a dollar somebody can print a ton of, and trade for your soul in which you only have one of”
“No evil can prosper against me, they are under equipped like a cop on a 10 speed”
“God Over Money, my new way of livin’ a state of mind that would have kept plenty out of prison”
“Ima put Christ back on top, and that rap about crack gon flop, stand up, man up, and take back yall block”
“Thats what these rappers are doing, they’re selling this crack, its like the devil is back and one of his weapons is rap”
“We living in a world where they see you get attacked then they’ll tape it for the youtube and turn their back”
“Rappers write down BS and give it to the youth, then watch kids go to prison while they’re sitting in their coupe”
“For the nonbelievers Im tryna rap to yall, and if you hate me for then cool handle yalls, but if its so fake why you worrying? cuz I dont see nobody hurrying to diss Santa Clause”
“You would think Im in jail, kinda like a new Paul, the way my writing seems to reach my fans through bars”
“What I’m the bad guy now? cuz you can play every song for your grandma now? say I did it for a deal clown who Im gonna sign with? They only gonna shelf me and block my assignment. And whats funny is, I went the opposite way of where the money is”