Eleni Giannakas Photography
For the longest time, my best friend Kathy has been harping on me to get into modeling. She was convinced that with my height and my smile, I could do it. I was always thought that my pants size dictated my ability. I figured agencies would take one look at me, snicker, and come up with some semi-polite way of telling me I wasn’t the right “fit” for their company.
During the years of 2014-2015, I was unfortunately home on disability with not one, but two herniated disks in my back. Trapped at home and unable to work or move much (I wasn’t even able to stand upright), the pounds slowly crept up on me and piled on. 5lbs….10lbs…soon 20lbs and then before I knew it, I was almost 30lbs heavier. I lived in yoga pants and baggy sweaters, unwilling to even try putting my jeans on. I knew it was an issue that needed to be tackled, but at that point, my priority was simply to stand straight again without any pain.
A year after the diagnosis and after months of intense sessions with my chiropractor, physiotherapist and osteopath, I finally started to regain my mobility and started trying to fully live my life again. I sucked it up, went out and bought a bigger pair of jeans, and started accepting and enjoying the new curves of my body. My new boyfriend (now hubby) didn’t seem to mind at all, which only gave me more confidence and positivity.
In 2016, my mother decided to put on a large-scale fashion show fundraiser in support of Crohn’s disease and of course, she needed models. I would definitely say that this was the turning point for me in terms of finally letting go of my misconceptions of what a perfect model “should” look like. I strapped on a pair of heels, embraced every outfit that was chosen for me, and hit the runway with every ounce of attitude I could muster.
It was scary.
It was challenging.
And it was seriously empowering!
You have just about 8-10 seconds from the top of the runway till the end to give your audience a snapshot of who you are. It only took one second for me to get hooked on my new “hobby”.
Since then, I have had the immense pleasure of working with Aisha from EnVogue Model Management, who has continued to guide and empower me while I discover this new side of myself. Even after losing the 30lbs, I am still incredibly proud to call myself a curvy model.
My modeling journey has only just begun and I can’t wait to share more with you. Keep an eye out for more posts to come, where I will cover my past experience with photo shoots, what happens on the day of a big fashion show, as well as tips and tricks for packing your model bag!
Adrian Niculcea Photography
Adrian Niculcea Photography
Taran Matharu Photography
Adrian Niculcea Photography
Jewels says
Good for you! I love how you embrace life. A very inspiring quality to share with your readers. Congrats!