PLUS MODEL MAGAZINE May 2015 Swim Issue | Page 96

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.