PLUS Model Magazine - Archives - 2011 PLUS Model Magazine - April 2014 | Page 104

It made me realize that there was a market for plus size models to make it in the fashion
industry, and it fed into that voice saying, “What if you could be anything you wanted?”
that was always in my head.
I’ve been actively in the modeling industry for 2 years. My first attempt at a model search
and my big break was in March 2012 when I won second place out of more than 2,000
entries in the “Plus Model Magazine and Dorothy Combs Models Model Search”. I was
signed to IPM Model Management during the same time. Since then I’ve been blessed to
model for so many wonderful companies and designers including but not limited to Latino
Fashion Week, The Steve Harvey Show, Plus Night Out, Boutique Larrieux, Curves Couture
Chicago, Chocolate Sushi Couture, Blair Chic Boutique and most recently as an E-commerce
and Campaign model for Ashley Stewart.
Maddy: The plus size industry and plus-size models have been in the news so much lately.
How do you feel about the industry and it’s evolution in the past five years?
Jessica: I think the popularity of the plus size model has skyrocketed and models have
been very influential in how more and more women are accepting their bodies these days.
However, as important as it is to acknowledge how far the industry has come, we still have
the obligation as consumers to challenge it’s (sometime backwards) way of thinking. To me
personally, there is nothing ‘plus’ about a size 8. Yes, they are beautiful and I feel like they
should model straight size clothing (Some of the most beautiful and successful straight size
models were between a 6 and 8) but if I’m purchasing a plus size article of clothing, I’d like
to have a better idea of what that would look like on a woman who actually fits in plus size
clothing. I have no shame in calling myself a plus size model nor do I believe the term should
be abolished from the industry. There is still a great necessity for diversity in all aspects.
Maddy: Women and men alike admire your shape. How do you maintain such a beautiful
figure?
Jessica: I’ve experimented with different exercises, but I love to dance and it’s the one thing
that never fails to keep me moving. It’s all about balance and I have to be honest and say
that I’ve been so busy lately that I haven’t been moving at the level I know I can or should.
Just because I’m a plus model doesn’t mean I can afford to do whatever I want. No matter
what, you have to find the time to take care of yourself and (aside from exercise) sleep and
diet (what types of food you eat, not how much) are a big part of it.