How To Break Through: As a Plus Size Model

What are the ups and downs a plus size model has to go through during her modeling career? Elegancy101 had the pleasure of interviewing plus size model Florencia. She has been modeling for quite some time, and is currently signed with a Model Agency.

Who is Florencia? (your age, place of birth, origin) etc.I’m 19 years old, born and raised in The netherlands. Moved to the UK in 2009. My parents are from Ghana.

How did you get into modeling?I’ve been tall and curvy since I was young. People would come up to me and encourage me to get into modeling. But at that time there were mainly size zero models so I didn’t feel comfortable sending out some pictures to agencies. Until I got approached by a photographer a few years ago, he worked for an agency and advised me to take a chance at modeling. When I moved to the UK, I decided to take a chance and I signed up to Model mayhem. I got a few jobs out of it and started to build up my portfolio. I entered some runway and modeling competitions to get more confidence and gain experience. I also had the chance to network and meet lots of models who have been in the industry for a while. I established myself as a freelance model and eventually got signed by an agency.

How did you get your job as a plus size model?As I got more jobs, I got some  exposure and got contacted by an agency. They invited me for a casting and got a contract signed with them afterwards.

How do you find your modeling jobs?I get most of my jobs through Model mayhem, facebook, twitter and by my agency.

What are your favorite kinds of shoots?I prefer fashion and commercial mainly because I don’t fit the ‘normal standards’ of a fashion model. I’ve got a tiny waist and big hips so people in the industry tend to classify me as an urban glamour model. I find this very dissapointing because I believe I’ve got much more to offer than that.

What kind of modeling do you mainly do? Do you feel like opportunities are expanding? Is it tight right now because of the economy like everything else is?I’m very versatile. I’ve done fashion, commericial, urban glamour, lingerie, artistic nude, music videos and runway modelling. I’ve been offered my first acting job for an online urban called ‘the unfamous story’ which I’m very excited about. I’m also going to be one of the models for Bas Kosters at London Fashion Week 2013. I’ve been working really hard as a freelance model for nearly two years and all the hard work is finally paying of. I feel very blessed and grateful for that. The economy is effecting me in some ways because it’s a lot harder to find properly paid work for a freelance model at the moment than a few years ago. The only way to get good money out of modeling now is by getting signed for campaigns. Unfortunately, I haven’t done any campaigns yet. So therefore I do modeling part-time and I don’t rely on it financially.

Has modeling changed the way you see yourself?I’ve gradually become more confident and find myself more appealing. In the past I had low self esteem and didn’t think highly of myself. But because of what I’ve achieved academically, personally and with modeling I can face the mirror every day and honestly be proud of myself and of what I’ve become so far.  And I’m only 19, so I’m confinced that better and greater thinks are ahead of me. It’s just a matter of consistency, faith and hard work that will get me there eventually.

In the past have you had body image issues?I’ve been bullied as a child and teenager. I’ve also been physically and mentally abused by my parents which had a massive effect on me. I hated what I went through and I never understood why it happened to me. But when I grew up, gained more confidence and became less conscious of people’s opinion about me I started to accept and love who I was. I now embrace what I’ve got. And I’m glad for every experience in my life because that makes me the person that I am today.

What are some misconceptions you think people have about plus size models and the plus size modeling world?People assume that plus size models encourage obesity. But I believe that’s very ignorant. I’ve always been a ‘big’ girl and I can’t change who I am. I’m sure there are many more ladies in the world who are build the same. That we’ve got more curves than size zero models doesn’t make us obese. I’m proud to be who I am. And I don’t have to go to the gym 6 times a week and eat salads all day long. All that I have to do is eat and do whatever I feel like and I still look curvaceously fabulous. 

How do you stay positive when faced with adversity or size discrimination?I just keep in mind that I can’t change who I am and that I shouldn’t want to change just to be accepted by someone. I love how I look and that’s all that matters to me. And if I get rejected I will just go on to the next one.

Have you ever been asked to gain or lose weight in order to get a job? Would you when  asked?I’ve never been asked that and I wouldn’t because I know I’m in good shape. If I’m not what they’re looking for than I move on to the next job offer.

Can you talk a little bit about what you do to keep healthy? There’s this misconception that everyone plus size is not healthy.I try to stay physically active (walk more instead of taking public transport, go out and dance a lot) and have healthy eating habbits. But I don’t go over the top with healthy eating. I just have 3 healthy meals every weekday and during the weekends I have whatever I feel like eating.

What’s your take on formal “AMNT” plus size candidate Toccora Jones weight loss ?Everyone should be allowed to do whatever they want to do. If she decides to lose some weight, good on her. She probably good reasons for it because losing weight is one of the hardest life style changes (in my opinion). She looks great and I admire all curvy women who take on that challenge.

Do you think the fashion world is becoming more accepting of different types of bodies?I do think we’ve got a long way to go but we are getting there gradually. There are more opportunities available nowadays. The average size for women in the UK is 14/16 so everyone is changing and the industry has no choice but to go along with it.

What’s your response to people who argue that fashion’s idea of plus-size is not “reality” of plus-size?People should stop comparing what they see in the media to reality. There is much more diversity in our society and you can’t possibly expect that the media represents every woman. Obviously, if that is achievable than that will be great but it is very unrealistic.

A lot of people say that fashion and curves should go together. What do you think needs to change to make that a reality?People in the industry need to be more realistic to what the actual reality is. They should embrase diversity and promote it. The mindset and attitude needs to change in order for the fashion to change.

Are there any current fashion trends you’d like to make illegal?No because people express themselves through fashion. That’s one of the things I love about Britian. Everyone’s got individual sense of fashion and aren’t afraid to stand out or be different. It is very inspiring to me and motivates me to think out of the box and dare to be different.

What types of plus clothing would you like to see more often?Clothes that shows off the curves and individual assets. I prefer to wear bright colours and thight clothing so I stand out. I would love to see more curvy women wear that and show that they are proud of their body types instead of hiding it away in wide and dark coloured clothing.

What advice would you give for women with body image issues and plus size models who are dying to break through?You have to love yourself first, the rest will follow. Other people can’t believe in you if you don’t believe in yourself. Do whatever you think is needed to feel better about yourself. Once you set a personal goal and you actually strive towards it you get a sense of achievement. These are one of the main things that helped me through my struggles in life. And models should never give up. In the modelling business there will be lots of doors slammed in your face but only the strong, dedicated and hard working people will find an open door. It might take a bit longer than expected but eventually it will be worth it.