Hey Loves,
Happy October. It’s the 1st of October and you know that means it’s time for a new Model Spotlight. And this chick right here is my BOOOOO!! (ha get it Boo…Halloween…no? ok lol) But this young lady has grown to be one of my closet friends in the industry and is just a wonderful person all around. And no matter whether she’s a live model in the window at the Ashley Stewart in Harlem or walking the runway at PNO this young woman brings it. Ladies meet Vanessa Mays.
Name: Vanessa
Mays
Mays
Clothing Size: 18
Agency: TRUE model
management
management
Bicoastal Fitting Models
Flaunt Models
What made
you want to become a model?
you want to become a model?
I wanted to become a model because I feel it is important to
showcase the fact that women are beautiful at all sizes. Women are wonderfully
different and unique and that should be celebrated. What better way than
through fashion!
showcase the fact that women are beautiful at all sizes. Women are wonderfully
different and unique and that should be celebrated. What better way than
through fashion!
What are some of the brands that you have worked with?
I have been blessed to be able to work with
many notable brands in the plus industry. I have done print or Eddyandbri.com Everythingcurvyandchic.com
KurvaciousK.com and Senseofstyleboutique.com. I have also
had the pleasure to walk for designers and retailers such as Ashley Stewart,
JustRaymona, Qrystal Frasier, Serita Bell, Chocolate Sushi Couture, Onoz, Tru
Diva, and a host of others.
many notable brands in the plus industry. I have done print or Eddyandbri.com Everythingcurvyandchic.com
KurvaciousK.com and Senseofstyleboutique.com. I have also
had the pleasure to walk for designers and retailers such as Ashley Stewart,
JustRaymona, Qrystal Frasier, Serita Bell, Chocolate Sushi Couture, Onoz, Tru
Diva, and a host of others.
How long have you been working?
I have been a plus
model for a little over a year.
model for a little over a year.
So
many girls want to become a model what advice would give them? What should they
expect?
many girls want to become a model what advice would give them? What should they
expect?
For those women
looking to become models should really do their research regarding the plus
size industry. Familiarize yourself with the key players. Know who the
retailers are and who the Indie designers are. Submit your images to reputable
modeling agencies. It’s all about doing your research. Expect to invest in your
craft, both time and money. Most people do not become successful overnight. It
will take a lot of determination, perseverance, and patience to get where you
want to be.
looking to become models should really do their research regarding the plus
size industry. Familiarize yourself with the key players. Know who the
retailers are and who the Indie designers are. Submit your images to reputable
modeling agencies. It’s all about doing your research. Expect to invest in your
craft, both time and money. Most people do not become successful overnight. It
will take a lot of determination, perseverance, and patience to get where you
want to be.
A common misconception is that plus
size/curvy/thick models live unhealthy life styles. What do you say to people
who think like that?
size/curvy/thick models live unhealthy life styles. What do you say to people
who think like that?
Plus models being
unhealthy due to their size is a common misconception. Many of us are a part of
#teamhealthycurves, meaning we must still eat well and exercise to maintain our
curves in all the right places. We also have to maintain healthy nails,
skin, hair, and teeth. To succeed in this business you have to take care of
yourself so you can always look your best.
unhealthy due to their size is a common misconception. Many of us are a part of
#teamhealthycurves, meaning we must still eat well and exercise to maintain our
curves in all the right places. We also have to maintain healthy nails,
skin, hair, and teeth. To succeed in this business you have to take care of
yourself so you can always look your best.
Was this your dream career? How did you get to this point in your career?
Modeling was always
something that I wanted to do but wasn’t sure if it was for me. Once I decided
to give it a try I completely fell in love with it! The industry has embraced
me with such love, it’s incredible! Even more rewarding, is that through my
modeling journey you can inspire other plus size women to feel good about
themselves.
something that I wanted to do but wasn’t sure if it was for me. Once I decided
to give it a try I completely fell in love with it! The industry has embraced
me with such love, it’s incredible! Even more rewarding, is that through my
modeling journey you can inspire other plus size women to feel good about
themselves.
If
you could be doing anything else other than modeling, what would it be?
you could be doing anything else other than modeling, what would it be?
Not only am I a model
but I am a full time preschool teacher. I absolutely love touching the lives of
my kids everyday.
but I am a full time preschool teacher. I absolutely love touching the lives of
my kids everyday.
Where
do you get your confidence from? How do you stay in a positive frame of mind?
do you get your confidence from? How do you stay in a positive frame of mind?
Confidence didn’t
always come easy to me. At my heaviest, I was a size 24. I wasn’t the
healthiest that I could be, therefore I wasn’t the happiest I could be.
After I introduced myself to a better diet and exercise I started to
slowly gain self confidence. It’s definitely something that you have to
find within yourself. No one can give it to you. Don’t get me wrong, we
often times are our worst critic, so some days will be better than others. But
we are all a work in progress and as long as we can remember that we are
beautiful, unique, and have a purpose, our confidence in ourselves will always
be there.
always come easy to me. At my heaviest, I was a size 24. I wasn’t the
healthiest that I could be, therefore I wasn’t the happiest I could be.
After I introduced myself to a better diet and exercise I started to
slowly gain self confidence. It’s definitely something that you have to
find within yourself. No one can give it to you. Don’t get me wrong, we
often times are our worst critic, so some days will be better than others. But
we are all a work in progress and as long as we can remember that we are
beautiful, unique, and have a purpose, our confidence in ourselves will always
be there.
Why
do you think it so important for plus size/curvy/thick models to have the same
respect as straight size models?
do you think it so important for plus size/curvy/thick models to have the same
respect as straight size models?
People always get hung
up in dividing the plus size industry from the straight size industry. We
should be recognized just as people and not just our size. People come in
all shapes and sizes and slowly but surely the world is catching on. The fact
that Eden Miller was able to showcase her plus line in Mercedes Benz Fashion
Week was definitely a step in the right direction. I hope to see more
plus size designers sharing the same runway in the near future.
up in dividing the plus size industry from the straight size industry. We
should be recognized just as people and not just our size. People come in
all shapes and sizes and slowly but surely the world is catching on. The fact
that Eden Miller was able to showcase her plus line in Mercedes Benz Fashion
Week was definitely a step in the right direction. I hope to see more
plus size designers sharing the same runway in the near future.
So many girls grow with such low self esteem.
Were you ever like that? If so what advice would you give young girls
struggling with her self esteem?
Were you ever like that? If so what advice would you give young girls
struggling with her self esteem?
Sure, growing up I
wasn’t the thinnest or prettiest of my friends. Finding where you fit in
is never easy. It takes some time to figure out who you are and what your
purpose is. Enjoy the lessons you will learn along the way. The day that you
decide to be comfortable in your own skin is a beautiful one. Trust me, that
day will come sooner than later if you really want it to. You have to decide
when that day is.
wasn’t the thinnest or prettiest of my friends. Finding where you fit in
is never easy. It takes some time to figure out who you are and what your
purpose is. Enjoy the lessons you will learn along the way. The day that you
decide to be comfortable in your own skin is a beautiful one. Trust me, that
day will come sooner than later if you really want it to. You have to decide
when that day is.
The last couple questions are just
to have fun with….
to have fun with….
Hagen Daz or Ben & Jerry? Haagen Daz.
Favorite tv show growing up? Full House
Favorite Halloween costume? Cowgirl! Yee Haw!
Louis Vitton or Hermes? Hermes
Buying your boyfriend his favorite video game or
those new pair of shoes? Definitely, his
favorite video game.
those new pair of shoes? Definitely, his
favorite video game.
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