What are some of your favorite brands or designers?
I LOVE fashion, I love designer fashion and I also love run of the mill basics. I studied in
England and found that the way British people dress is so infectious; I completely adore
British style and secretly would like to be British. I enjoy funky socks, New Balances,
leggings, jeggings, ASOS, blazers and shirts with cats on them. Most of my wardrobe
has been purchased from thrift and second hand stores, I think it is important to recycle
clothing and give back to your community and environment. My favorite designer is Stella
McCartney, as her collections are fur and leather free (fur=yuck). Other than that, my closet
isn’t ever without the curvy skinny jeans from The Gap and 200 Denier tights from H&M.
In your opinion, why is it so important to show body diversity in the media?
It is so important that body diversity becomes prevalent in the media; heck it should be
mandatory! I have so many opinions on this topic that I could write a novel. We are not the
1% population that have symmetrical faces, size 0 trousers and tall genes. We are diverse
and beautiful and have hips and acne and well, we are all human. I love the saying, ‘there
is no wrong way to have a body’; because there isn’t.
Who are your mentors in the plus size industry and why?
The plus size industry is becoming such a massive industry and its really amazing to see
so many models, bloggers and celebrities’ passion to spread diversity; it’s contagious and
I think that is why this industry continuous to grow. I’m so inspired by so many women
in this industry but, if I had to name one, Karyn from the plus size blog Killer Kurves has
been my ‘ride or die’ since we met at a modeling shoot in 2010. Not only is she a fellow
Canadian and close friend, but she is such an incredible role model to so many women,
including myself.