PLUS MODEL MAGAZINE November 2015 Indie Designer Issue | Page 81

What do you think was your big break in your modeling career? My big break happened when I met the Creative Director of Ashley Stewart at Full Figured Fashion Week 2012. She gave me a chance. I wasn’t signed with an agency and I had only been modeling for 6 months, so the opportunity I was given was life changing and beyond amazing. I was seen in stores all over the country and that moment was surreal. Being a model is very demanding on your body and psyche. How do you maintain a healthy grasp on it all? As a model, I am faced with many demands on my mind and body. Demands from my agency, from my fan base, from the brands I work with, and the demands I place on myself. The stress of all the demands can make you feel insecure. However, I use my role as a plus model, to not only inspire others, but use as a constant reminder to myself that with confidence and self acceptance, anything is possible. PLUS Model Magazine’s Black Issue created a lot of conversations about the lack of diversity in the fashion industry. How do you feel about this issue? Diversity in the fashion industry is vague. Every woman wants to see a version of themselves in magazines, television, websites and stores. Not only does it make sense strategically for the brand but it also makes sense for the consumer. Currently the models that are being cast for those outlets mentioned are usually Caucasian. Hispanic or ambiguous models of darker skin tones are not often chosen. I don’t want to speculate as to why darker models aren’t chosen. However, I would like to be a part of what that change would look like in the industry.