Ava Dash, the 17-year-old spawn of designer Rachel Roy and music veteran Damon Dash, recently inked a modeling contract with DT Model Management. Her proud mom Rachel announced her daughter’s new venture on Thursday night on Instagram.com.

Ava told fashion publication WWD magazine that fashion has always been in her blood.

“Being that my mom is a fashion designer, I’ve been around that my whole life,” she said. “I’ve always loved being at her shoots or at her runway shows and loved watching the models get ready. I’ve always wanted to do that. Now that I’m old enough I can actually pursue that. I’m excited.”

Ava said her modeling aspirations include modeling for Sports Illustrated, Victoria’s Secret and Balmain, and she confesses that her inspiration is close friend Chanel Iman.

Rachel and Roc-A-Fella Records co-founder Damon, who divorced in 2009, also have eight-year-old daughter Tallulah.

Photos by Randy Shropshire/Getty Images