About a month ago I wrote a post called “My goal. My plan. My success.”. My article spoke about how I reorganized my life and got myself to what I think and feel is a healthier weight and lifestyle. With all the pros that came with this change, there was unfortunately one major con. What I didn’t highlight was that this weight loss journey had actually robbed me of the ability to pursue one of my favourite hobbies. Modelling.
When I was at my heaviest, I easily fit into a plus size 14 and in some cases, a size 16. At 5’9, this made me a prime candidate as a plus size model (coming from a family of curvy women, I barely consider this “plus” but that’s a whole other rant all together). I carried my weight proportionally and didn’t have any trouble wearing or walking in heels. I was thrown into the industry with casting calls here and there and booked photo shoots and fashion shows somewhat regularly for someone who was only pursuing this as a part-time gig. But then my weight dropped and so did my contracts. I thought it was maybe the season or time of the year, but that wasn’t the case. I simply wasn’t big enough anymore.
In a world that seems to (finally) be embracing a plus size culture (though honestly, I think we should just drop the + from that sentence and embrace all sizes within the fashion world), I feel like a major target audience is still lost between the folds. The average “in-betweeners”. I don’t want to be (and don’t think I could ever be) a size 2-4 regular fashion model and now as a size 10-12, I am no longer the ideal candidate to be considered plus. What about the size 6-12 clients? Do they not need/want to identify themselves with the models/mannequins they see while shopping for clothes or see models their size head down the runway?
I was so freaking proud of myself for reaching my goal and for all of the hard work I had put in. But I sometimes miss my weight just for those extra gigs. For 2-3 hours during a photo shoot, I would get dolled up, strap on my favourite heels and share my curves with the camera. I don’t have the model pout. I have like, 3 standard boring poses. And my hair doesn’t have that “model volume” you see on the cover of magazines.
But damnit, I could smile.
If Calvin Klein could take on Myla Dalbesio, a size 10 model in their 2014 campaign, I don’t see why other fashion icons can’t do the same?
For all of you “in-betweeners” out there, I feel you and I think it’s about time to celebrate every size of woman (and man!). I WILL find my place in the fashion world. I just need to break down a few walls first. Anyone care to lend me a hammer?
Pictures that aren’t mine can be found here: https://www.pinterest.ca/dianafoglia/positividee/