What has been your
biggest challenge
professionally, and how
did you overcome it?
I feel like my predictions for the
industry always seem to change. Call me
crazy but I have always loved the idea of
fashion being all-inclusive, meaning, I want
to shop in the same stores and on the
same websites and get the same fashions
as my size 2, 4 and 6 friends. Plus fashion
has come a long way, even from the time
I used to model, but I see a lot of designs
that are drastically different from what
my thinner friends are wearing. I want the
same styles and quality they have. I don't
know if I can predict that inclusion will be
the norm in the future, but I sure hope so.
We are WOMEN FIRST and our size is
not an indication of our style (or at least
that's my opinion).
Myself! For so long I have been focused
on surviving in this city. I never accepted
that I could do what I love AND make
a living doing it. Most of my fashion
career was a part-time passion. I modeled
while I worked as an executive assistant
in the Finance industry. I started my
photography business in 2007 but had to
put it on the back burner to have a "real"
job to support myself. I did that over and
over again for so many years. It wasn't
until a big medical scare 2 years ago that
I realized I could turn my passion into my In your own words,
career. Don't get me wrong, freelancing
is not easy! However, that fear forces me what do you think sets
you apart from other
to be resourceful and work hard to make
ends meet without sacrificing my passion Photographers?
for surviving. I had to accept that I am an
artist and it's ok to be one. I can support
I used to say I was different because I
myself. I can make it successful and if I
was a model first. But I am happy to see so
keep pushing myself, learning and growing, many photographers working now was also
to the fullest. My message is a strong one I will make a living for myself that doesn't
and I finally feel empowered enough to
feel like work.
share it without fear of judgment. I believe
we all have a unique story and there are
What are your predictions
people out there that can benefit from
for the plus-size industry?
hearing yours.
I am also planning several workshops
Do you ever see the
with some very influential people in the
fashion industry as a
industry to start sharing my knowledge
whole becoming more
and insight with aspiring models. Stay
tuned for details and dates!
inclusive?