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Becca Thorpe Talks About Self-Esteem and Body Image Issues, Favorite Beauty Products, Fashion, New Passions, and the Pressures Girls and Women are Facing Today!

Posted in Beauty, Hair, & Make-up, Body Image, Confidence, Designers, Fashion, Hobbies, Inspiration, New York, Photographers, Plus-Size Modeling, Self-Esteem, Shopping, Trade Tips, Unique Beauty, Wilhelmina, Work, Your Story with tags Beauty, Becca Thorpe, Body Image, camera, Confidence, Curves For Change, Fashion, Gap, Health, Inspiration, J.Crew, Kate Somerville, Kevyn Aucoin, Models, New York, photographer, Photographers, plus model, Plus-Size Modeling, Self-Esteem, Shopping, Trade Tips, Unique Beauty, Wilhelmina on September 29, 2010 by Liz

Photographed by Roberto Ligresti

Becca Thorpe is a plus model from Annapolis, Maryland who currently lives in New York City. She has been successfully modeling for ten years. She spends her free time behind the lens as a photographer. She has recently shot a fashion spread for Madisonplus, a news and fashion blog (http://madisonplus.com/).

How and when did you get started in the plus modeling industry?

I started modeling while attending college in Philadelphia. I was going to a party at a hotel where there happened to be a plus modeling contest going on. A woman approached me and asked if I ever considered modeling, and I immediately said no; I play sports and there is obviously no need for someone who is 5’11″ and “big” in that industry. Boy, was I wrong. The next week I was working locally and began to think that this could be something if I was smart about it. A year later, I had moved to New York and have been working ever since. Wow, ten years really flies by!

What have you learned from the modeling industry?

I have learned so much in this industry. There are so many things I want to say here. Modeling is what I do, not who I am. Business is business and sometimes it has nothing to do with you. More than anything else, modeling has made me grow into a really capable woman who can achieve anything.

Have you ever struggled with low self-esteem or body image issues in the past? If so, how did you reach a point of accepting and loving your body?

Have I ever struggled with body image or self-esteem? HELLO! I am going to be real honest here…I am a woman! Who doesn’t? Let’s be real, we live in a world where it is bombarded on us every day to look a certain way–to be “this” in order for a man to love you and to comply with what others “think” we should be. Yes, even models succumb to this struggle. I have been a size 12/14 since I was twelve years old. There were no Forever 21′s when I was growing up, and I knew (at that young age) that I would never be a size 8. Heck, a size 10 is even pushing it! I am real about my body. I go through phases like everyone else I know. Just look at my closet; it ranges from a size 12 to a 16! That is real life. I do indeed love my body, I love my man for loving my body, and I love that I am in an industry that allows me to be vocal about being honest about it all!

How would you define confidence?

Confidence is knowing who you are.

How do you define beauty?

Beauty is being able to say no when you need to. It is saying thank you. It’s being “interested” when you just want to be “interesting”…it’s really listening. It’s a great blazer, red lipstick, and killer high heels. Beauty is accepting where you are right now and still moving forward.

Photographed by Roberto Ligresti

What do you love about yourself?

What do I love about myself? I love the strength that the women in my family passed down to me. I love that I am tall (I wish I could go back to my thirteen-year-old self and say that). I love that I have really amazing friends who encourage me to be ‘me’ . I love that I have a sense of humor about the little stuff in life, and I absolutely LOVE that even when I am ninety, I will be asking questions like “would you rather”!

What are you passionate about?

I am passionate about capturing moments with people, whether it’s with my camera or a conversation that brings meaning or laughter. No matter what we do, in a job or even with our spare time, we have an ability to touch others with what we say and do.

What do you enjoy doing in your down time?

In my spare time you will find me walking in NYC with a camera in my hand. I talk to homeless people, street vendors, strangers, musicians, and even my friends in order to get a real moment snapshot of their lives. Yes, I love taking pictures, but I also love my dog, road trips, my family, and my closest friends here in the city.

Where do you shop for clothes and who are some of your favorite designers?

I shop everywhere, but those who know me well would say that I am the quintessential “Gap” girl. JCrew is another favorite, but my true finds come from scouring Century 21 and vintage shops.

Photographed by Lisa Holgrave

Favorite jeans?

GAP…long and lean jeans! They are the staple of my wardrobe.

What are some of your beauty must-haves?

When it comes to products, the things I cannot live without are Kate Somerville ‘Quench’ for my face (http://www.katesomerville.com/), Kevyn Aucoin’s mascara (http://www.kevynaucoin.com/), Yves Saint Laurent’s Touché Éclat for under eye circles, and lip balm. All of these products are in every bag I own.

Photographed by Jeff Licata

What do you enjoy most about your career as a model?

It is not the places I have been, it is the people who I have been with on locations that have been the most memorable. The friends I have made on jobs in Germany, Canada, Thailand, and Argentina. The places have been incredible, but the late nights of talking, sharing, and laughing will be what I really remember.

What advice would you give to aspiring plus models?

The advice I would give to girls just starting in this industry is…1) trust yourself 2) be willing to learn, learn, learn…and know that it is not all fun and games — it is a business in which you have to invest a lot of yourself mentally and emotionally. Oh, I know… I can hear the “you just have to stand in front of a camera…how hard is that?” But let me tell you…it is a learned art — one that comes with time and patience. So know your strengths and weaknesses, and be willing to learn and have fun!

Photographed by Lisa Holgrave

‘Curves For Change’ has brought many of your fellow Wilhelmina models together for a great cause. What has that experience been like for you so far?

Working with C4C has been one the best experiences I have had. It is truly amazing what women can do together! It is remarkable to know that we are promoting a healthy and honest look at the issues at hand. I have met girls that truly inspire me!

*Curves for Change recently launched their website. To find out more about C4C, please visit http://www.curvesforchange.com/index.html.

Photographed by Max Abadian

What do you wish you would have known at age thirteen?

Oh the dreaded age of thirteen when you just want to be like everyone else. If I could pass a note to myself in class at that age, knowing what I know now, it would read, “What you think is important now will change. It always does. There is freedom in being different and in going against the grain, so stand up straight and stand tall in that back row full of boys! It’s okay NOT to have the same outfit as everyone in your class! You are so special my thirteen-year-old self. You have to know that confidence is in your hands, not anyone else’s.”

What kinds of pressures do you see girls and women facing today? What can we, as mentors, do to better address these issues?

There are so, so, so many pressures are on young women today. It has gotten to a point where it’s almost unbearable! I know a lot of models talk about it. To be honest, we struggle with it too! Those pressures are real and sometimes an everyday occurrence. Instead of just talking about it all the time and judging other woman (because admit it, sometimes women can be cruel) we need to start reading things like Plus- Size Models Unite and even the things that Curves for Change is doing. To see models, instead of competing and being hurt or jealous, come together and send a positive image out to women is what this is all about! Yes, we all want to feel good, look beautiful, get the job, and get the guy; but how we get those things is really the important part! Pressures are in every part of life whether you are thirteen or a grown woman. We have the choice of how we look at things so I say to someone struggling with body image or external pressures “It’s there (the pressure). Accept that magazines and other people create a so-called “standard”, but YOU can create your own. Be kind to that voice inside you that compares and judges, and then go throw on a pair of heels and do your own thing.”

What are you excited about right now?

What I am excited about now is my newfound love of photography. Testing other models, putting stories together, and even the editing. I feel like I have something to say with a camera in my hand. Normal moments can be captured and made into something bigger. The beginnings of a new passion are often very scary. Should I? Am I any good? Those little voices are slowly dissipating, and I am finding myself truly loving this new adventure of being the girl behind the lens.

*Thank you, Becca!

**How do you define beauty? How do you define confidence? What are you passionate about?

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How to Build Self-Esteem and Confidence by Elizabeth Nord

Posted in Articles, Books, & Magazines, Confidence, Fitness & Health, Inspiration, News, Plus-Size Modeling, Self-Esteem, Your Story with tags Advice, Confidence, Counseling, Health, Inspiration, Mental Health, Mentors, Personal Growth, Self-Esteem, Therapists, Your Story on September 26, 2010 by Liz

Photographed by my five-year-old daughter, Olivia.

I’ve been thinking about self-esteem and confidence lately. Over all, I am a confident person. I feel confident about my capabilities and my ability to succeed at reaching goals that I set. I think I’m intelligent, loving, strong, brave, adventurous, fun, athletic, organized, a good writer, a great mom, and I am competent in many other areas. But, sometimes I let fear of failure hold me back from setting new goals or moving forward. I think it’s a lingering self-esteem issue from my childhood. At times, I forget my own self-worth. Now that I’ve realized what has been holding me back, I’m not going to let that happen anymore.

I want to set a good example for my daughters. I want them to be confident, love themselves, and feel a strong sense of self-worth. Most importantly, I want to be the best and happiest that I can be, for me. I think we all do. Now that I have decided to consciously set that goal, I know that I will reach it.

Many women struggle with self-esteem or confidence issues so I asked therapist and Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Patricia Born, MS, to share a list of things women can do to build self-esteem and confidence. The below list was created by Patricia. The list is not verbatim because we were having a discussion and direct quotes would take away from the essence of our conversation. Here is the list:

Deal with any baggage or demons from your past that influences your future happiness. You may need a mentor or therapist to work through the muck.
Nurturing is a wonderful thing, but not if you are nurturing or doing something for someone so that they will like you. We cannot get our value from what other people think of us. We must value ourselves for who we are without the need for outside approval.
Always treat yourself with respect.
Meet your basic needs. This may seem obvious, but sometimes it’s not, and we all need to be reminded to take care of ourselves. I see that more clearly now looking back at the early days and sleepless nights of raising my daughters.
Allow yourself to express yourself in the ways that you are gifted. Give yourself permission to write, draw, sing, work, run, dance, create, or do whatever helps you express your gifts whether or not someone else finds them valuable.
Tend to your spiritual development and expression.
Always talk positive to yourself. You can analyze yourself in a healthy way without critiquing or being negative, judgmental, and condemning.
Figure out what your basic values are so that you can try to live your life consistent with that.
Be humble. When we talked about what the definition of humble means to us, it was not the textbook version. It was doing things not because you are trying to earn accolades or praise, but doing something just because that is simply what you want to do. It’s being yourself without needing approval or acclaim from others.
Have a voice and believe in it.
Remember that how you feel is always valid. Trust yourself and your feelings.
Love yourself for who you are right now! We are all a work in progress.

There is so much more to say on this topic, but this is a good start. This is a great list to print out or share with your friends. What would you add to the list? What do you think it takes to have healthy self-esteem and confidence? When you are feeling less than, how do you pick yourself up?

*Thank you for your insightful words of wisdom, Patricia!

13 Comments »

Life Doesn’t Start After Losing the Last Five or Ten Pounds. Live Your Best Life Now! Guest Post by Erin Henry.

Posted in Articles, Books, & Magazines, Beauty, Hair, & Make-up, Body Image, Confidence, Eating Disorders, Fitness & Health, Inspiration, Media, My Story, Plus-Size Modeling, Self-Esteem, Unique Beauty, Your Story with tags Beauty, Becca Thorpe, Body Image, Confidence, Dieting, Erin Henry, Fiorenzo Borghi, Food, Holistic Healing, Huffington Post, Karine Basilio, Media, Models, Nutrition, Oregon, Paris, Plus-Size Modeling, Portland, Self-Esteem, Unique Beauty on September 22, 2010 by Liz

Photographed by Karine Basilio

I am so excited to be a contributor to such a positive website. When I first looked at Plus-Size Models Unite, I was inspired by the amazing women featured, but also really struck by the support these women were offering to one another regarding healthy body image and self-acceptance. Having had so many struggles with these issues myself; it feels good to know I wasn’t alone. I’m excited to be a part of this movement to help women love themselves inside and out!

I’m happy to say I’ve come full circle in my journey of learning to love my body, but it wasn’t easy. There were many years of self-loathing, criticizing, and thinking that if I could only lose two more pounds my life would miraculously change overnight and all of my wildest dreams would come true. I thought being very thin was the key to happiness. Well, what I can tell you is that your life can most definitely change overnight, but losing that last two pounds that you are convinced is weighing you down has nothing to do with it. It is important to be at a healthy and comfortable weight for YOU, but we are all different and that’s the beauty in us all.

It’s easy to be caught up in insecurity about your tummy roll or fuller hips, especially when I recently saw a top fashion magazine now claiming a size 4 to be curvy and there seems to be an endless stream of Victoria’s Secret catalogs in my mailbox every day. Who is signing us all up to receive these? Who looks like that? Well surely, if you look like that you must have a perfect life in every regard right? Do I have to be that skinny to love myself? Does this sound familiar to anyone? I did a lot of this type of thinking for a lot of years! Here is my story, and how I turned it all around.

Photographed by Alexander Neumann

I grew up in a suburb of Portland, Oregon. It was beautiful. Green, clean, and full of fun outdoor activities. I spent my free time camping, skiing, and hiking. When I got to high school, I was on a highly competitive volleyball team and the sport was a huge part of my life. We did a lot of training, and I loved that I had an athletic body and my mother had taught me how to eat well to support my endurance. I thought I looked pretty good and was a happy and healthy young woman.

People had suggested for years that I try modeling so one summer when I was fifteen; I finally decided to give it a go by sending some pictures to agencies. I was immediately accepted by some big names and I thought it would be a good way to save some money until I went off to college. I was always very tomboyish and, up until then, had never really thought about having a delicate frame or a tiny waist. The first time I went to the agency that I decided on and the measuring tape came out, somehow I knew I was in trouble. Sure enough, according to the agent I had some extra inches lurking around my 5’11″ figure. But, the promise of big money and travel if I lost the inches was enough to put me on the first diet I could find. That was the first time I remember thinking…If I could just lose five pounds….

I did lose the five pounds, but then of course I thought if I could lose more weight my career and life would be even better. So, I did…and nothing changed besides the fact that I was able to model for some catalogs and my mind was constantly consumed with thoughts of food. I never use to think about food unless I was hungry, then I’d eat whatever sounded good, and the thought would go away until my next meal. When you diet to extremes like I had begun doing, you’re never really satiated so you think about food nonstop. It became a distraction from what should normally be on a teenage girls mind. It was somewhere my mind would wander more and more. If I were tired of thinking about my friends, schoolwork, sports, or my family; then I would just find a new diet to think about and follow. Diets became a distraction from whatever was really going on in my life. Even the things that were exciting and fun. I had a wonderful high school experience and a lot to be grateful for, but my mind was starting to become focused on food deprivation more and more. That was no way to live.

Photographed by Becca Thorpe

I was definitely thin at this point, but the parts of my body that had recently been pointed out to me as fat still seemed fat to me. There were always the same spots I picked on and would resort to complaining about when I was having a bad day. In fact, I would turn to these “flaws” even when I was having a great day and they would bring me down. I am now convinced this is something women do to themselves as some form of unnecessary self-torture. Some way to keep ourselves down at a certain level because we think we aren’t worthy of feeling like more. I think we have all done this to ourselves at some point. And trust me, even the girl or woman that we look at and think have a perfect figure has had negative thoughts like these.

When I was eighteen, I left college to pursue modeling full-time in Paris. I was a girl they said had so much potential, and I should have been thrilled but I don’t remember this as a particularly happy time of my life because I felt that everything was riding on whether or not I could be skinny. I was getting a great response from clients and I just couldn’t walk away. Sure enough, I was instructed to lose more weight once I arrived in Paris. Surely, this was the last time and then life would most definitely be fabulous! And, fabulous in Paris nonetheless! It all sounded so glamorous. The problem was dieting alone wasn’t going to do it, so I went to some extreme measures in an attempt to shave that last bit of weight off.

It still wouldn’t budge, so I was shipped off to Germany with the other “overweight” girls and told to work on it while I modeled for unglamorous catalogs for a while. I felt like I had won a consolation prize but I wanted to be the best. I recently came across some photos of me at this time, and I was thin and beautiful but in every picture I looked absolutely empty and terrified. I had dug myself into a very deep hole.

Photographed by Fiorenzo Borghi

I was homesick living overseas so eventually I moved to New York where I had a career as a catalog and commercial model, and I never made it back to Paris, but I also never stopped trying to get into that perfect sample size they had given me the measurements for because that had become my ideal of perfection. In New York, I was allowed to be a bit bigger but not much and my weight was a continual struggle. I missed out on so much happiness because I was always torturing myself for not being thin enough. I avoided social events involving food and was at the gym more than I care to remember. I finally lost that weight and right when I thought the true rewards for my efforts were right around the corner, I ended up in the hospital for five days. I came close to kidney failure but the doctors dismissed me after rehydrating me and temporarily patching me up.

Over the next few years, I was in the hospital four more times with the same issue when finally a doctor came to me and asked me if I wanted to live a long time, because the path I was on wasn’t going to get me there. All of the dieting and over exercising was taking a dangerous toll on my body. Finally, someone stepped in and realized all of the destructive things I had been doing to mold myself into that perfect ideal of thinness I had formed in my head. This was my wake up call. The quest for my perfect figure, which I believed would lead me to true happiness, actually landed me in the hospital five times close to kidney failure. Hmm… Something definitely wasn’t working here. I was unhappy, unfulfilled, unhealthy, and all this for what? So, I made a decision.

Photographed by Becca Thorpe

I chose life. I knew I needed to take some time off from measuring tapes and sample sizes so I left New York, quit modeling for a few years, and started to remember all the things I used to love before I got lost down that road of self-torture. I traveled, went on dates, laughed, tried different careers, built meaningful relationships, played volleyball again…and I ate all of the things I had deprived myself of for so long. And it was fun! I felt alive again. I learned that being who you are doesn’t have to be a struggle, even though so often we make it one.

I did go through a period of time where I started to seriously overindulge, but I think it was my body’s way of making up for lost time. And lost dessert! After a few months of eating recklessly, my body began to tell me what it needed. Maybe one day it needed some dark leafy greens because it craved iron or calcium, and maybe another day it absolutely needed a piece of salmon to boost my healthy fat intake. Once I really started to listen to my body’s cravings and learned to give it the nourishment it yearned for, I truly began to live a healthy life again. Not only was I physically healthier, but on a personal level I was healthier as well. When you don’t have to spend every waking moment thinking about dieting and your next meal, you have the opportunity to think about your life and how you want to live it.

A few years later, I found out I could have a career as a healthy shaped model. It was actually in demand! I moved back to New York, started my modeling career again, and enrolled in school to learn about holistic health and nutrition. From there, I have taken numerous courses in holistic healing such as herbal medicine and breathwork. The thing I treasure most about my education is that I continued to learn that there’s so much more to being a healthy person than just what you eat. While proper nutrition is very important, the day-to-day thoughts and feelings we have are important as well. It was difficult for me at the beginning, but I learned to feel my thoughts and feelings and sit with them instead of trying to distract myself with the thought of another diet or starvation plan. Maybe my body is not perfect, but by learning to find things about it that is beautiful every day was what changed my life overnight.

Photographed by Fiorenzo Borghi

We all have so many things that make us beautiful and that we can be grateful for. Our thoughts and feelings affect every cell of our body. So true health for me meant learning to think positively more than negatively. Learning to really feel things like love, compassion, forgiveness, hope, and joy have been one of the greatest blessings of this whole journey.

The best way I know how to describe holistic healing is that it is health based on the “whole” person. You are what you eat, but you are also what you think, feel, dream, do, and love. I am continuing to learn about mind/body healing because not only do I want to help others learn to love and honor their body; I want them to learn to nourish it inside and out. After all, we only get one.

*Thank you, Erin!

**We will be reading much more from Erin in the future and we are looking forward to it!

To view Erin’s first piece for the Huffington Post visit~

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/erin-henry/spirituality-for-beginners_b_811256.html?ref=fb&src=sp

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Sierra Lisa Speaks Her Truth! She’s an Amazing Woman! We Are giving Away Ten Free DVD’s to the First Ten People Who Email Us. See Details at the Bottom of this Post!

Posted in Art, Body Image, Celebrity, Confidence, Eating Disorders, Entertainment, Events, Family & Friends, Fashion, Fitness & Health, Food, Hobbies, Inspiration, Media, Movies, Self-Esteem, Shopping, Trade Tips, TV, Your Story with tags ABC Family, Alex Spanos, Beauty, Body Image, Bulimia, Celebrity, Confidence, Eating Disorders, editor, Fashion, Gloria Loring, Health, Hollywood Confidential, Huge, Inspiration, Kathryn Bigelow, La Femme Film Festival, LACHSA, Leeza Gibbons, Margaret Cho, Media, Moondance Festival, Savannah Dooley, Self-Esteem, Sheer Cover, Shonda Rhimes, Shopping, Sierra Lisa, STARving, Trade Tips, Unique Beauty on September 19, 2010 by Liz

Sierra is a dedicated and passionate filmmaker. Her goal is to make films that influence people to reflect on different aspects of life, question the status quo, and become independent thinkers. She has directed several films in high school that showcased at the Moondance Festival. One of them, The Ice Cream, won Best Short Film award, and a third place ROP award in Film Production. At California State University, Northridge; she produced, directed, wrote, edited, and worked on several short films including STARving, which was one of the five projects to be funded by the school’s film program her senior year.

Sierra has worked in the entertainment business since she was sixteen. Included among her many clients are San Diego Chargers owner, Alex Spanos and renowned singer, Gloria Loring. Currently, she works with Leeza Gibbons as the producer for the radio show Hollywood Confidential as well as Leeza’s in-house video and audio editor.

Have you ever struggled with self-esteem or body image issues in the past? If so, how did you reach the point of accepting and loving yourself and your body as it is.

It is estimated that 8 million people in the United States are suffering from an eating disorder and, much too recently, I was one of them. In high school, I would rather have died than admit I had the problem, but now having surmounted bulimia, this experience most significantly impacted my life. Training to be an actress at Los Angeles County High School for the Arts (LACHSA), the pressure to be thin engulfed me and I began believing that any harm I endured was a worthy sacrifice for my art. My bulimia began with frightening ease and quickly spiraled into a compulsive nightmare. It is due to the help of a teacher named Kim Wield that I was able to triumph. My evolution from nonchalantly beginning bulimia, uncontrollably continuing in it, and ultimately overcoming the fight has dramatically shaped my views on life.

Sitting down for rehearsal of a female dance number, I listened to my perfectly toned choreography teacher suggest that we start eating healthier foods while avoiding crash diets. In practically the same breath, she ended her pep talk by saying she did not want to see any flab on the stage and she followed with a laugh so sharp it pervaded my very being. I looked down at my 16-year-old body, quickly compared myself to the other girls (each of whom was making her own comparison), and came to the conclusion that I was the fattest girl in the room. I frantically started on a 500 calorie diet in hopes of dropping the flab by opening night, which was a mere eight weeks away. When I failed to lose the expected weight by the second week, I broke the diet in a bingeing frenzy and decided to voluntarily vomit for the first time.

Throwing up my food was scarily simple and, since I had binged on candy, it did not taste as bad as I thought it would. It started as a way to “cancel out” the fact that I broke my diet, but soon I realized I could eat anything I wanted as long as I purged after every meal. I continued this pattern for nearly two years, alienating myself from everything and, being that I was lying to everyone that I loved, my relationships began to disintegrate. I strove to be perfect only to find that I was falling short in every aspect of life, including my own happiness. It was when I started thinking about cutting open my thighs to perform amateur liposuction that I realized I needed serious help. As I searched for peer advice to no avail, I stumbled across a woman who would change my life forever.

One day in her acting class, Kim Wield openly shared her fight with bulimia and I developed a trust in her that was only possible because we shared a similar experience. During a one-on-one evaluation with Kim, I divulged that I was bulimic and could not stop. In the cold, sterile classroom, she looked at me with warm honesty and said, “Sierra, listen to me. You are beautiful.” I shrugged her off, but she continued, “Sierra, you are beautiful.” I felt uncomfortable as she saw through my disguise and she persisted until I started to cry. In that moment, I had the epiphany that I really was beautiful and decided that I was going to change the way society evaluates beauty.

My attempt to obey a demand to be thin, my struggle with an overwhelming disorder, and my recognition of beauty has significantly changed how I see the world. I am committed to creating a more positive perception of beauty in our culture because every person should know his or her own beauty. I feel it my duty to share my story in hopes that people, young girls in particular, will learn from it. Film is a way to recognize the beauty in our everyday surroundings and, more importantly, in ourselves. Through my films, I want to change the idea of beauty, so that I can contribute to a societal epiphany like the one Kim helped me achieve. Beauty, as it is presently defined, is too narrow-minded and I want to assist in shaping a more diverse meaning.

What advice would you give to girls and women who are struggling with self-esteem, confidence, or body image?

I would say to any girl who struggles with her body image that she is beautiful. No matter what anyone says, you are beautiful. On the days I can’t see my own beauty or I’m freaking out about my jeans not fitting, I try to find at least one thing I believe to be beautiful about myself. Some days I only find one thing, but usually I can build on that one identification to find maybe two or three or more. If I can’t find a single quality I like that day, I’ll try to think of any positive comments I have received and focus on that positivity.

Sierra instructs.

What inspired you to write and direct STARving?

This film is based on my experience as an actress in an arts high school where the pressure to be thin caused some girls to exercise instead of eat at lunch and commonly develop eating disorders. Having surmounted bulimia myself, I now strive to illustrate the unhealthy consequences of accepting our society’s absurdly oppressive standard of beauty and hope to help shape a healthier, more balanced, cultural viewpoint. While it is well-known that eating disorders can be directly linked to the pressure exerted by our media culture’s increasingly unrealistic standards of beauty, STARving highlights the profound impact, both negative and positive, that teachers, parents, and peers have on young women. Awareness is pivotal in shifting the tide of this unhealthy societal epidemic and my goal with STARving was to raise a consciousness regarding how our actions, even when seemingly small, can greatly affect those around us. STARving strives to raise awareness about the power that we, as everyday individuals, parents, teachers and peers, have to promote healthy attitudes, thus protecting young people from these dangerous beliefs and destructive behaviors.

How has the film been received? How do you feel about your movie being shown at the Cannes Film Festival?

It has been wonderfully received so far and I would love more people to see it. Having it screen in Cannes was very exciting! I’m also so proud that it was selected for one of the most recognized female film festivals La Femme Film Festival among other festivals. What’s most exciting about these opportunities is they help get STARving seen. My hope is that the people who see the film will use it as a starting point to help open the doors of communication regarding body image and ultimately begin a new era of acceptance within our culture.

When did you become interested in film/cinematography?

I’ve loved film ever since I was a child! As far back as I can recall, I have always wanted to be involved in the entertainment industry in some way. Whether I’m an actor, editor, director, set designer or PA; it doesn’t matter the title; just that I’m fulfilled by working with people who are forwarding a positive message through film.

You have worked with Leeza Gibbons since 2005. What do you love most about her?

What I love most about Leeza is that she is so positive and funny. She does everything in her power to uplift the people around her. Whether it is through her charity work or just by saying something supportive, Leeza takes the time to care.

Sierra with actors.

What fascinates you most about people?

The ability we have as individuals to make a difference, positive or negative, throughout life. Causality is probably the most amazing factor I can identify in what makes me who I am today. I’m endlessly fascinated with how people make decisions and how those choices can affect the future. My dad always used to say, “No shame, blame, or regret” and I still use that phrase as a reminder to find the positive in every experience I face. I wouldn’t be the person I am without all the events that have shaped me.

What do you love about yourself and why?

I love the curve of my body and how soft my skin feels because it makes me feel feminine. I love that I can easily see the beauty in others, and I’m not shy to give honest compliments because I know that by saying one positive phrase I can improve a person’s day. I love that I’m so positive and laugh at the simplest things because it makes me feel good. I love that I have solid viewpoints and the intelligence to make a sound argument because I refuse to question my integrity. I love my face because it’s so expressive and how my eyes light up when I smile. I love that I snort sometimes when I laugh really hard and that my friends make a game of seeing who can get me to snort the most. I love that I am constantly trying to improve my life and the lives of those around me. Most of all, I love that I can learn from my mistakes and become stronger despite difficult experiences.

What is the best advice you have ever received?

Love yourself as you are right now, because this moment is all that matters.

You are a busy lady! What advice would you give to a college student trying to balance work, school, and personal time?

Time management! I keep a calendar, and I’m an avid supporter of to-do lists.

What are some of your hobbies?

Karaoke! Directing, acting, modeling, photography, dancing like no one is watching, game nights hiking, taking spa days, travelling, camping, and passionate conversation about anything and everything. I also enjoy critically analyzing films with my friends because it helps me grow as an artist.

Who inspires you?

The people who inspire me are those who can find beauty in others, those who are proud of their body despite any outside influence, those who are gracefully opinionated, and anyone who is passionate about creating a better world.

Who do you consider a role model or hero? Why?

Kathryn Bigelow is a major role model for me because she defies the status quo and gender expectations normally expected of women. She has a specific point of view and strong artistic integrity. In terms of broadening the status quo of beauty, Margaret Cho was the first celebrity that ever made me feel like I had a voice in the media as I deeply related to how she felt about her body and the overwhelming pressure to be thin in Hollywood. I also dearly admire Savannah Dooley and Shonda Rhimes for choosing plus-size actors to play normal roles, because it is disturbingly common to see plus-size people ridiculed on television. I applaud them and similar individuals who have become a driving force in stopping that type of hatred.

What are your favorite beauty must-haves?

Sheer Cover, liquid eyeliner, and mascara are my beauty must haves.

Where do you like to shop?

I really love thrift shops, Forever 21, Urban Outfitters, and Express for my clothes shopping, but everything else I find on eBay.

Sierra explains shot.

Please tell us what you think of ABC Family show HUGE?

I LOVE HUGE! Savannah is a great friend of mine and I remember when she was telling me about pitching the show after passionately discussing our own struggles with body image. I’m so proud of her and the HUGE team for creating such a unique show. They are absolutely helping push the societal pendulum in a healthier, more accepting direction. Finally, I’m seeing plus-size people on television who are portrayed as human instead of the limited typecasting that is common in the business. Hopefully, this will be the beginning to seeing much more diversity in common television shows.

Do you feel plus-size modeling is helping redefine beauty?

Absolutely! When mass media features only a limited type of beauty, those who don’t fit into those confines often feel like they have no voice or are unworthy in some way. With plus-size modeling, people who previously had no voice begin to feel accepted and that acceptance yields more understanding, which then creates less hatred.

What are you excited about right now?

I’m excited about everything happening in my life right now and the positive people who surround me!

What are your goals for the future?

I would love to have a hand in creating a more diverse and accepting culture. I want to become a director and create art that helps forward a culture wherein the “plus-size” label is no longer needed. I want to travel and experience other cultures. Ultimately, my greatest goal in life is to leave this world in a much better condition than it was when I came into it and in whatever capacity I am able to do so, I’ll make that effort.

*Thank you for everything, Sierra!

** The first ten people to email Angela at angela@plussizemodelsunite.com, will receive a free copy of the film STARving.

7 Comments »

Danielle van Grondelle Shares Positive Body Image & Self-Esteem Advice. She Also Talks About Redefining Beauty, Her Favorite Designers, Her Beauty Must Haves & More!

Posted in Beauty, Hair, & Make-up, Body Image, Confidence, Designers, Family & Friends, Fashion, Fitness & Health, Inspiration, Media, Models, Photographers, Plus-Size Modeling, Recipes & Food, Self-Esteem, Trade Tips, Travel, Unique Beauty, Wilhelmina, Work, Your Story with tags 12 plus London, Amsterdam, Beauty, Body Image, Confidence, Danielle van Grondelle, Eating Disorders, Edith Dohman, Edith Dohmen, Family, Fashion, Fitness, Glamour Magazine, Inspiration, Magazines, Media, Model Management UK, Netherlands, Plus-Size Modeling, Self-Esteem, Stylist, Unique Beauty, Your Story on September 12, 2010 by Liz

Danielle van Grondelle is a plus-size model who grew up in Rotterdam, Netherland. Danielle’s mother agency is Ego’s Models in Amsterdam. Brigitte Models, Munich, Model Management UK in London, and 12 plus UK in London also represent her. She still lives in Rotterdam close to all of her friends and family. Danielle loves her job, and whenever she has time off, she spends it with the people she loves.

How did you start your career as a plus model?

I was scouted on the street in Amsterdam when I was fourteen years old. Ever since I was fifteen years old, I tried to be a straight-size model, but I was never skinny enough. Even when I was really small, my hips where always too wide. So, I tried every diet there was, but I couldn’t get down to the size they needed me to be. Whenever I booked a job, I was always afraid that I wasn’t going to fit into the sample clothes. After a couple of years, they decided to put me on the “special” board, and I had an odd job here and there. Then I did a job for a magazine with stylist Edith Dohmen. She told me that I would be perfect as a plus-size model. I had no idea what a plus-size model was, so at first I didn’t do anything about it. After finishing school, I had a dream to contact a plus-size agency. After I did, I had a meeting with Ego’s Models and was signed right away. After six months, I quit my designing job to model full-time. That was five years ago, and I absolutely love my job!

Who are some of the clients you have worked with?

I’ve worked with so many wonderful clients. Here are some examples: Avantgarde magazine, BY s’oliver, Evans, Ulla Popken, Marina Rinaldi, Chic magazine, Grazia magazine, Veto jeans, Freundin magazine, Burda magazine, Neckermann, Otto, Happysize, and many more.

What do you love most about modeling?

I love being creative and making a beautiful product in the end. I love traveling and meeting new creative people every day. What I love the most is that I can show the world that plus-size modeling is beautiful, and that I can be a role model for young girls.

Do you think that plus modeling is helping redefine beauty?

I think it is! A woman’s body is lovely in its natural form. If you are naturally curvy, then that’s gorgeous. If you are naturally skinny, then that is also beautiful. The thing I don’t like is when woman are trying to be something they are not. Starving yourself is never beautiful; you can see the lack of nutrition in a woman’s hair and skin. I think that with plus-size modeling, we show the world that curvy is gorgeous and that you don’t have to be skinny to be beautiful.

Have you ever struggled with self-esteem?

No, I have never had a low self-esteem. I think that’s because of my upbringing. My parents always let me know I was beautiful inside and out. I was always very confident in my own skin, whatever size I was.

What advice would you give to girls and women who are struggling with body image and self-esteem issues?

Every body is beautiful; don’t be your own worst critic. Try to focus on the positives, and surround yourself with positive people. And, the most important thing is to love yourself.

Where do you shop for clothes and who are some of your favorite designers?

I am a true clothing junkie. I think a woman can never have too many clothes, shoes, and bags. I love to have expensive key items, like a nice bag, belt or shoes. I love Marc Jacobs, Chloe, Chanel, Betsey Johnson, and D&G; but I love to mix those pieces with vintage. I love belted vintage dresses! I shop a lot at H&M, Topshop, ASOS, and River Island. I love how they translate the looks from the catwalks to the streets. I also love wearing statement jewelry; I make a lot of my earrings myself.

What are some of your favorite beauty products or must-haves?

I love Clinique 3-Step Skin Care program, and I love Estee Lauder’s Advanced Night Repair and DayWear. Whenever I work a lot, my eyes get sensitive. I found a very good eye makeup remover that’s so soft: Chanel Precision Demaquillant Yeux Intense. I am addicted to lip gloss and lip balm, I love Labello Fruity Shine, and I love Guerlain Terracotta lip gloss.

What does being healthy mean to you?

I am not a big health freak, but I like to be comfortable in my own skin. I drink a lot of water, and I don’t smoke or drink alcohol. I have periods where I am very healthy…so during those times I eat a lot of fruit, vegetables, and steamed fish or lean meat. But, I also have periods were I like to eat whatever I want, and I can now because I need to stay curvy. I think it’s about the balance between the two. Be healthy, but being happy is even more important.

How do you define beauty?

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so I love that beauty is so many different things to different people. I think if you are beautiful on the inside, it shows on the outside.

Do you have a favorite workout routine?

I used to be a synchronized swimmer, so I love to swim. I love to shop, so walking around from shop to shop is one of my favorite workouts. Also, I have an exercise machine I use in front of the TV.

What do you love about yourself?

I love that I am very loyal to my friends and family. I am always there whenever the people I love need me.

What are you excited about right now?

My long time goal is to live my life with all the people I love around me! I want to stay healthy and be a positive role model. I am looking to buy my very first home now, so it’s a very exciting time.

One thing I’ve learned is…

The sky is the limit…That is my mom’s motto in life and now my own as well.

*Thank you, Danielle!

**What is your favorite skin care line? How do you define beauty? What is one of the most important life lessons you have learned so far?

16 Comments »

Kate Dillon has Brains, Beauty, and is an Advocate For Environmental & Humanitarian Causes Such As The Komera Project

Posted in Articles, Books, & Magazines, Beauty, Hair, & Make-up, Body Image, Celebrity, Confidence, Designers, Fashion, Fitness & Health, Inspiration, Media, Models, New York, Plus-Size Modeling, Self-Esteem, Shopping, Travel, Unique Beauty, Work, Your Story with tags Africa, Beauty, Body Image, Books, Christine Alt, Crystal Renn, Designers, eating disorder awareness, Emme, Empowering Women, Environmentally Sustainable Fabrics, Exercise, Family, Fashion, Fitness, Ford +, Ford Models, Gucci, Harvard, Health, Inspiration, Italian Vogue, John Patrick Organic, Kaight, Kate Dillon, Komera Project, Marina Rinaldi, Maya Angelou, Media, Organic, Plus-Size Modeling, Redcats, Rwanda, Self-Esteem, Shopping, Suki, Talbots, The Avenue, Trade Tips, Unique Beauty, yoga on September 5, 2010 by Liz

Kate Dillon is known in the fashion industry as a groundbreaker and a passionate advocate for environmental and humanitarian causes. For 19 years, she has leveraged her career in fashion to campaign for positive body image in the media, eating disorders awareness, and global poverty reduction. Her work has been widely featured in the media, including on Anderson Cooper 360, Good Morning America, and the PBS NOVA series as well as in Vogue, Glamour, and People. In order to be a more effective advocate, Kate completed a Master’s in Public Administration in International Development at the Harvard Kennedy School in 2009 where she won two academic awards. Now back in the fashion industry full-time, Kate continues to model while serving as vice-president of the Komera Project, a fund that provides scholarships for secondary education to girls in Rwanda.

Who are you signed on with and who are some of your clients?

I signed with Ford about two months ago after fourteen years with Wilhelmina, and my major clients are: Marina Rinaldi, The Avenue, JC Penneys, Kohl’s, Talbots, Bloomingdales.com, and Macys.com

Please tell us how you got started in the modeling business and about your transition from “straight” modeling to “plus-size” modeling. Was that a difficult transition for you to make?

I started modeling when I was seventeen years old. I was at my usual hangout, a coffee shop in San Diego where I grew up, when I met a photographer who got me into modeling. I was not especially into fashion, and I certainly did NOT think of myself as model material, but it seemed like a great opportunity. I started working out of LA until I finished high school, and I loved having this double life – nerdy high school chick most of the time, burgeoning fashion model in LA once a week or so… The trouble was I could not stay super skinny. I moved to NYC and Paris when I graduated high school and I loved the travel and the people I met in the fashion business, but the pressure to be thin was killing me – MOREOVER I hated that I was perpetuating this illusion, this super-thin ideal. Here I was starving myself to be thin and then foisting this image on women – this was NOT the impact I wanted to have on the world. So, I quit modeling and was pretty much clueless about what to do for about two years. I gained about 40 pounds (about a size 10) as soon as I quit and started doing some soul-searching. Then a friend mentioned plus-size modeling. I had worked alongside Christine Alt and Emme as a skinny model, and I remembered thinking they were so cool and brave – I actually thought, “I would never have the guts to be that big”… Well, I found the guts and the transition to plus was super easy because I was so sure of myself. I knew that being beautiful, fashionable, and successful had NOTHING to do with size, and I loved kind of challenging the fashion world to recognize that. I have always been a bit of a rebel. =) The only real challenge was in the beginning – and this happens to a lot of plus models, I think – at first I started to feel guilty if I worked out or ate a salad so I gained A LOT of weight in my first year as a plus-size model. Some people really remember me at that size – like a 14 – but it wasn’t sustainable for me… Eventually I realized exercise and healthy eating is just fine and returned to my “natural” size…

Was there a specific event or sequence of events that led to your decision to stop modeling for the “straight” modeling industry?

I did a lot of shows and editorial, but I was always told to lose like 5-20 pounds (at 120 I have no clue how to do that!). Before one show season, I got a bad intestinal virus that lasted about ten days – use your imagination. =) Well, needless to say, I lost a lot of weight, and when I turned up at the shows Paris all these editors were like “you look amaaaaaaaaazing” and I remember thinking, “Wow, THAT’S what it takes to be beautiful around here? Yuck.” That was pretty much the beginning of the end…

Would you define what the term “plus” means in the modeling industry? (We get this question all the time from our readers who are not in the industry. It would be wonderful for someone like you [so well-known, established, intelligent, and admired] to answer that question.)

Well, thank you for the compliments!!!! I get this a lot, too. In the industry “plus size” means size 14W and up. A “plus size” model models those clothes for the catalogs and advertisements of those who produce those sizes. Occasionally – like my work for Talbots and Gucci – a brand that does not cater to “plus sizes” will hire a plus size model. Plus-size models come in many shapes and sizes – it’s pretty cool, actually. Some clients like bigger girls and some like smaller girls. Some mix it up. There is a lot of diversity…

You have been open regarding your struggles with body image issues. How did your struggles affect your self-esteem? How did you reach the point of accepting and loving your body as it is?

I accepted my body, as is, when I was twenty-one years old. I was walking down the beach feeling so self-conscious about my “big” arms and my thigh cellulite. Suddenly, I realized that it was very likely that every woman on the beach was ruining this gorgeous day at the beach – just as I was – obsessing over her imperfections. I decided to get over it – that it was more important to be happy, grateful for life’s mystery, and as smart as possible. It really was like a switch flipped in my brain. And I never looked back. Since then, I have had a pretty healthy self-esteem body-wise. However, that’s largely because my sense of self-worth is actually NOT tied to my appearance. I love to be pretty and sexy, but I am more concerned about making a contribution to the world and being a kind person – these are the things I struggle to achieve these days – I am working on it! But, my self-esteem lags when I’ve been judgmental or bitchy or when I am not doing enough… When I was in graduate school I was so overwhelmed by all the talented people around me – my self-esteem really took a beating! But I think it’s normal – and healthy – to have periods of high and low self-esteem.

What advice would you give to young girls or women who are struggling with self-esteem, confidence, or body image?

Well, in our society it is certainly understandable for a woman to have body-image/confidence issues. My advice is to cut yourself some slack, acknowledge you have issues, and then decide to focus on something more meaningful. Decide to get an A on your next test, volunteer at an animal shelter or a retirement home, something… Think about what you love and care about and devote yourself to that – the act of following your dreams and/or being altruistic will boost your confidence. And always always always treat yourself the way you would treat your best friend.

Have you read any good books that help promote positive self-esteem and healthy body image that you would recommend for girls, pre-teens, teens, or women?

The poem “Phenomenal Woman” by Maya Angelou has been in the back of my mind since I was twenty-one years old (fifteen years).

How would you describe your current approach to potential clients and your modeling career?

Grateful, professional, and I try to give them something exciting – I try never to go on autopilot. I learned that from Crystal Renn, actually. She gives it up like its Italian Vogue every time.

Do you feel that furthering your education and earning a degree in International Development at Harvard helped build your confidence or changed your perception of yourself or life?

Emotionally, Harvard was really difficult for me. As I mentioned above I was very intimidated by my classmates (even though they are the sweetest, most compassionate, most supportive group of people on the planet, and truly amazing human beings), and the coursework was extremely challenging. I lost about ten pounds during graduate school because I was so stressed! But it was probably the first time in my life I had to struggle and it was sooooooo good for me ultimately. I was deeply humbled. Studying International Development, I expected my perception of the world to change, but it really didn’t. However, my perception of myself changed dramatically. I am still trying to figure out what to do with my degree. I have been thinking a lot about the impact of the fashion industry on the development issues I care about most: the environment and empowerment strategies for women and girls. This April, I designed and moderated a panel on fashion and sustainable economic development at the Harvard International Development Conference. It’s a work in progress. =)

We know that you are an environmental activist. With that in mind, we would like to know where you like to shop for clothes and who your favorite designers are?

Excellent question! I am pretty militant about the clothes I buy these days – I go for environmentally sustainable fabrics like bamboo and hemp and stick to organic cotton. In New York, I shop at Kaight and Barneys where I can find Loomstate, John Patrick Organic (my absolute fave), Josh Podoll, Samantha Pleet, and Camilla Norrback. The mainstream exception I make is the Gap, Inc. They are great company that is truly committed to improving the lives of the workers who produce their clothes, and I expect they will announce an organic line any day now… Redcats, who own the Avenue, are also a great company – they sponsor eco-fashion week in Paris and have a strong environmental policy…

What are your favorite beauty must haves?

I use Suki everything for skin care. Suki pure facial moisturizer and the foaming exfoliating cleanser rock my world. For make-up, I love Korres concealer and lipsticks. Both brands are environmentally conscious. Suki is all organic and fair trade.

Do you have a favorite workout routine?

Hahaha. Well since I got pregnant, I don’t do much anymore! I used to run 3-6 miles three times a week and did vinyasa yoga about twice a week. These days I do a 30-minute elliptical workout or a swim a few days a week and go to prenatal yoga once a week. In my non-pregnant state, I love to do races – triathlons and runs so I am usually training for something. But I avoid gyms. I like to exercise outside – even in the cold! I ran a 15K last December in 25-degree weather – my crowning athletic achievement.

What does being healthy mean to you?

Being able to be physically active, being reasonably flexible, and laughing every day.

Out of all the places your modeling has taken you – where is the most memorable?

Morocco

Who do you consider a hero or role model?

Role models: My mom and dad. Hero: Girls all over the world who struggle – against unimaginable odds – to be educated and empowered.

Please tell us about the Komera project.

The Komera Project provides scholarships to girls in Rwanda who have the ability and desire to attend secondary school, but who lack the financial resources to do so. I co-founded this initiative with my friend, Margaret Butler – a former professional runner, who lived in Rwinkwavu, Rwanda for a year. I became interested in educating girls in Africa in 2007 when I visited a school in Zimbabwe – it was freezing and I was wearing about a thousand bucks worth of Patagonia’s finest fleece, and most of the students didn’t even have shoes. They wore torn cotton sweaters and shorts and skirts with no tights. The teacher had to lead them in a song and dance in between lessons to keep themselves warm. Then I found out that many of them walked one to three miles just to get to school every day, and that because there was no secondary school in the village most would not attend high school. It was so awe-inspiring to see how hard these kids worked in formidable circumstances. They knew education was the only chance in the world they had. Komera has a website with more in-depth descriptions of our mission and programs as well as some data about educating girls. www.komeraproject.org

Where do you see yourself in ten years?

Running for public office. Teaching high school. Modeling. Who knows!

What are you excited about right now?

My baby boy due December 14. =)

*Thank you and congratulations, Kate!

**To learn more about the Komera Project or help Kate’s cause please visit www.komeraproject.org.

***’W Curve,’ the division for full-figured models at Wilhelmina, have formed Curves for Change (C4C)- a platform to collectively pursue charitable activities. They will be a hosting a fundraising event which will be a 5k run/walk this fall in NYC (date to be announced). Proceeds will go to the Komera Project and Healthy Girls Hardy Women. Here is the Curves for Change link if you want to find out more about the upcoming fundraiser. http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/curvesforchange?ref=ts

5 Comments »

Skinny vs. Full-Figured by Elizabeth Nord

Posted in Body Image, Confidence, Eating Disorders, Family & Friends, Fitness & Health, Food, Self-Esteem, Unique Beauty, Your Story with tags Beauty, Body Image, Confidence, Eating Disorders, Exercise, Fitness, Friends, Full Figured, Health, Inspiration, Self-Esteem, Skinny, Unique Beauty, Your Story on August 11, 2010 by Liz

Elizabeth Nord & Angela Jones in Kona, Hawaii.

Skinny vs. Full Figured

We all have our own unique definition of the above-mentioned words. Those definitions can vary widely for each individual woman. There are women of every size, shape, age, and ethnic mix in this world. They are all beautiful in their own unique way. For Angela & I, the issue isn’t skinny vs. full-figured. It’s about embracing diversity and being healthy.

I am a size two and Angela is a size twelve. We have very different body types, but we are both active, strong, and healthy women. I am bothered by the notion that you have to be a specific size to be healthy. I agree that obesity and eating disorders are serious problems that need to be addressed and that they cause long-term health issues. I also believe that every woman has her own ideal healthy weight. What I’m saying is that just because I’m 5’4” and a healthy size 2, doesn’t mean that another 5’4” woman’s healthy weight or size is the same as mine or that all women who are Angela’s height should be a size 12. All women have different bone structures, our weight is distributed differently, and we have different genetic factors that play a role in the way our body develops.

Girls and women compare themselves to other females all the time. I’ve done it and it’s no fun. It does nothing positive for your morale and doesn’t change the body shape you are really meant to have. It’s okay to be healthy skinny, healthy full-figured, or any place in between. One way is not better that the other. The important thing is to be healthy.

Angela and I both feel that we’ve finally come to a place in our lives where we love our bodies as they are. This summer is the first summer I actually could care less that I’m flat chested, and I feel completely comfortable in a bikini. It’s just the way I was built. It’s liberating to embrace yourself for who you are, and I wish I had done so sooner.

To me, being healthy isn’t a size or weight. Being healthy is about taking care of your body, exercising, feeling centered, eating healthy, laughing, having fun, learning, living, loving, and divulging in whatever your cravings are in moderation. I truly believe you can be many different places on the size or weight chart to achieve health and happiness.

*What do you think? Have you struggled to accept your body? Have you found a way to embrace your body as it is? If so, how and was there a specific “aha moment” that led you to embracing yourself as you are? What’s your secret to health and happiness?

5 Comments »

Solveig Walkling Talks About Loving Your Body, Healthy Weight Tips, & Modeling Advice

Posted in Articles, Books, & Magazines, Australia, Body Image, Eating Disorders, Events, Fitness & Health, Food, Inspiration, Media, Models, Plus-Size Modeling, Self-Esteem, Trade Tips, Unique Beauty, Your Story with tags Australia, Beauty, Body Image, Confidence, Eating Disorders, Events, Fashion, Fitness, Food, Friends, Health, Inspiration, Media, Models, Pilates, Self-Esteem, Trade Tips, Unique Beauty on August 1, 2010 by Liz

Credit to Fernwood Magazine and Photographer Paul Suesse for ACP Magazines.

Love Your Body by Solveig Walkling

I first started modeling when I was sixteen. For me, it was always a means to an end, a great way to help me achieve other goals, and work towards a career that I enjoy and that enables me to do something more worthwhile with my life. I’m aware there are a lot of young girls out there, though, whose only dream it is to become a model. They associate the life of a model with glamour, trips to far-flung locations, and having the world (or at least most guys) at their feet. And, while it can be all that at times, the reality of modeling looks very different.

Often, parents of pretty young girls ask me what kind of advice I would give about a career in modeling. I tell them to make sure they only expose their daughter to the fashion industry if she has a healthy body image and self-esteem, to try to accompany her to as many jobs as possible, and make sure she keeps other interests and goals. Models are objectified and defined solely by their looks, and I know from my own experience you have to have a very level head and good support system to make it in the industry. It’s easy to get sucked into a world of superficiality and lose touch with your own inner beauty over the constant focus on your looks.

As a teenage model, I struggled to accept my body. Where everybody else seemed to see beauty and potential, I saw my flaws and shortfalls. Like most teenagers, I struggled with my body’s changes. I wanted to look more like the heavily made-up and photoshopped ideals I saw in women’s magazines. Strangely, seeing professional photos of me – that made me look exactly like the pictures in magazines… because they were – actually seemed to enhance the feeling of inadequacy. I was painfully aware that my modeling shots were not how I looked in real life.

Now, when I look back at photos of myself as a 16-year-old model, I wish I were able to go back and help myself through that time of body anxiety and insecurity. I’d love to be able to say to my younger self: “Look at yourself, Sol. There’s not a single thing wrong with you. You’re perfect the way you are. Believe in yourself and don’t worry about your looks for one second. Love your body for the amazing places it takes you, the great adventures you’ll have together, and how well and unfailingly it will serve you. Who cares if you don’t look like Claudia Schiffer. Even Claudia Schiffer doesn’t look like the supermodel she is when she wakes up. What makes a body beautiful is the person that’s inside. Everything else is just perception… and smoke and mirrors.” It took me years to come to a healthy attitude towards my body after we got off on the wrong foot. Today, I’m grateful it still works so well after the bad treatment I gave it when I starved myself to look skinnier than Kate Moss. In my warped perspective of the world, at some point, I even believed the poster girl of all things skinny and waif was fat!

I now support The Butterfly Foundation in its mission to change the culture, policy, and practice in the prevention and treatment of eating disorders. I also try to act as a role model for a healthy body image by writing about the issue, helping the charity find sponsors, and hosting a table at their annual ball. I’ll also gladly share my personal story and give advice to those that ask.

Solveig at age sixteen. One of her first ever modeling shots

Here’s a great quote from a page on body image I came across on Deakin University’s website while researching an article. “There is no magic weight loss potion. Learn to like the body you have and look after it.” I’d like to add, “Focus on being healthy rather than a size number. It’ll make life much more enjoyable. A healthy mind lives in a healthy body. And, living life to its full potential will make you happy, a dress size won’t.” Trust me, I know. It might sound like that old chestnut, but it’s really what’s on the inside that counts. And, if you love your body, it’ll love you right back.

My body and I have become a happy healthy item and while we sometimes disagree – for example on how much chocolate I should be allowed to eat without repercussions or how far I should be allowed to run before it throws the towel in – it’s a loving relationship these days. We know each other’s flaws. The mind pushes the body too hard, the body is sometimes too weak (or soft, as the mind would put it)… But really, they love being around each other and wouldn’t have it any other way. And, the funny thing is, the more I just let go of my concerns about size or looks (a tough one when you model), the more I liked what my body naturally wanted to do. Today, I love my body – scars, discolorations, weight fluctuations, and all.

If you aren’t there yet, try finding a few things you like about yours and show it some love. Don’t be hard on yourself. It’s the reason you can experience this wonderful world of ours every day. It enables you to see sunsets, smell the sea, hear children’s laughter, and feel the sun on your skin. If you’re kind to it and look after it, I’m sure it’ll love you right back.

By the way, I now even really enjoy the modeling and thankfully enough, have been doing lots of shoots lately that portray a healthy, happy, and glowing image, hopefully setting a good example for other young girls wanting to model. And, recent changes in the fashion industry make me take heart that lasting changes are afoot for a greater diversity of looks and sizes.

Here are some great tips on healthy weight and body image from the website I mentioned above, if you’d like a bit more advice. If you’d like to share your feedback with me or have any other questions please email me at bookings@solwalkling.com. Thanks to Plus-Size Models Unite for sharing my article.

Credit to Fernwood Magazine and Photographer Paul Suesse for ACP Magazines.

Healthy Weight Tips

Be realistic about your need to lose or gain weight. What is your genetically inherited shape? Are you fit? Are you energetic and happy?
No food is good or bad.
Choose realistic weight loss or gain goals – are they specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely (SMART) based?
Learn about non hungry eating and eating associated with emotions .
Eat a variety of foods from each food group and vary foods within those groups. Aim for a low-fat, high fibre, and complex carbohydrate diet with plenty of unprocessed foods.
Limit processed foods such as take away or fast food meals.
Watch meal portion sizes (don’t super-size up).
Enjoy food and eat slowly.
Don’t skip meals, particularly breakfast.
Drink water (1-3 liters per day).
Get moving – exercise every day if you can. Both dedicated and incidental exercise. Make sure the exercise you pick is enjoyable and something you will keep doing. Build in variety and look upon exercise as any chance to get up and move.

Definition

Body image is a difficult term to define, however it is linked to our self-awareness, self perception, self-esteem and how we view ourselves in this world. Body image is influenced by many factors including; parenting, gender, culture, media, peers, the fashion and beauty industry, and self-esteem. For example, Western society in the last 40 years or so has promoted thinness as the ideal body shape for women, whereas other cultures revere fuller female figures. The average Australian woman’s dress size is actually 14, not 10 or 8 as portrayed in many areas of the fashion and beauty industry. In addition, it is normal for women to have fat distributed on their hips and thighs and be a certain body weight to facilitate menstruation, fertility, lactation, protect against osteoporosis, and to maintain healthy skin, eyes, hair and teeth. Men are also increasingly under pressure to achieve an ideal body including thinness, muscularity, and definition.

What Can Be Done?

There is no one simple or magical answer to achieving satisfaction with your own body image, however an awareness of what influences body image plus following the healthy weight tips above is a good start. It is also vital to accept and care for who and what you are both physically and mentally. Overall health and well-being is the important goal of which healthy, balanced eating, and exercise is an important part. Caring for your mental health and well-being is also equally important: including focusing on positive achievements, avoiding negative and black/white self-talk, and aiming for a balanced view of self and others in the world.

You can find out more about Solveig at www.bodymindsol and www.solwalkling.com.

*Thank You, Solveig!

**How do you define healthy? How do you define beauty? What unique qualities do you love about yourself? How do you stay positive? What motivates you to be good to your body?

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Laurel Touby, mediabistro.com Creator, Talks About Overcoming Obstacles, Persevering, Success, Body Image, Health, Societal Misconceptions of Women, and Her Goals For the Future

Posted in Articles, Books, & Magazines, Beauty, Hair, & Make-up, Body Image, Celebrity, Confidence, Designers, Entertainment, Events, Family & Friends, Fashion, Fitness & Health, Hobbies, Inspiration, Media, New York, News, Photographers, Plus-Size Modeling, Self-Esteem, Shopping, Travel, Unique Beauty, Work, Your Story with tags Articles, Beauty, Body Image, Cape Town, Celebrity, Confidence, David Folkenflik, Exercise, Fashion, Fitness, Food, Friends, Health, Inspiration, Joe Scarborough, Laurel Touby, Make-Up, Media, mediabistro.com, MSNBC, New York, NPR, Photographers, Self-Esteem, Shopping, South Africa, Success, Travel, Unique Beauty, Work, Your Story on July 7, 2010 by Liz

Laurel Touby photographed by Stacy Kranitz

You may be wondering why we interviewed mediabistro.com creator, Laurel Touby for our blog. We will tell you why…Laurel is an inspirational woman!

Laurel wasn’t handed success on a silver spoon. In fact, she has said herself that she felt like an outsider and didn’t have the right pedigree to make it in New York. Her hard work and determination paid off. In 2007, she sold mediabistro.com for $23 million dollars. Mediabistro.com started as a gathering place for professionals in journalism, publishing, and other media-related industries. Laurel’s story is one of finding her passion, working hard, overcoming obstacles, persevering, and succeeding.

Laurel was born in Oahu, Hawaii; grew up in Miami; graduated from Smith College in Economics; and moved to New York City in 1985. She started her career in New York at mega-ad agency Young & Rubicam as a media planner. She went on to Working Woman Magazine as an assistant editor, to BusinessWeek as a staff writer, then to Executive Female magazine as a business editor and to Conde Nast’s Glamour magazine as a columnist. In 1994, she started a series of cocktail parties, which would later evolve into the mediabistro.com web site. But in the beginning, she never dreamed it would become as big as it did.

I interviewed Laurel by phone, and I can tell you that she is intelligent, funny, witty, sassy, kind, open, ambitious, direct, and an insanely successful businesswoman. Oh, sure, she’s more than all that, but those are the first words that come to my mind.

Laurel, MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough, and NPR’s David Folkenflik photographed by Isabelle-Mills Tannenbaum

I’ve read that you felt like an outsider and that you didn’t have the right pedigree when you first moved to New York, what drove you and continued to drive you to succeed?

New York was a scary place for me when I first arrived here, and not just because it was the 1980’s and quite dangerous. The danger for me was in all the hefty egos walking around. There were a lot of young hot shots, people who had gone to all the right schools, who knew all the right people, who were very literary and they were intimidating! I never felt less intelligent than they were. I just felt that I was starting out with a handicap because I grew up in a cultural wasteland called Miami, Florida. But, I am very competitive and believe that if you try hard enough, then you have the opportunity to succeed. So, I had this crazy idea that I could catch up to them. Complete hubris and ignorance kept me going; it was blithe ignorance.

What keeps you going when you get down?

I believe in what I’m doing. Positive feedback feeds me. But, on the other hand, every bit of negative feedback sets me back. In the beginning, if someone made fun of mediabistro.com in a wry, snobby New York way, it would hurt me for days. People would often say, “You host those parties for ‘desperate freelancers,’” and that wounded me terribly.

How did you deal with people who spoke to you in that manner?

I was defensive and aggressive. But it also pushed me to be more vigilant. I thought, “hmmm, there must be some truth to what they are saying. Why are they getting that impression and how can I change it?” Then, I would just strive to do better. And, I took hope and strength from the positive things people were saying, too. That made me high, that positive energy.

What misconceptions do you think society has of successful women in general?

I believe that women’s personalities are kept in check by the fears and biases of men. Read the book On Lies, Secrets and Silences by Adrienne Rich to understand what I mean. We are scolded not to get angry in the workplace. “You are too scary,” and so we express ourselves in subtle ways. Then we are told we are passive-aggressive or manipulative. But how else can we behave if we cannot be accepted when we are direct?

Jon Fine and Laurel in Cape Town, South Africa, climbing Table Mountain

Who inspires you?

No one in particular. I see everyone as merely human. I used to idolize people who I met who were show-offy smart or obviously successful. I no longer pedestal anyone. However, I am awed by any person, whether a desert nomad, an artist, a banker or even a bank robber, who really lives, and not just talks, her own brand of ethics and beliefs. People who have internal integrity inspire me, so long as they’re not abusive or mass murderers!

You are a busy woman. How do you stay healthy?

Plan out your weeks. Look at your calendar and write in appointments with yourself every day. I don’t care if you don’t like your job, you’re in a bad marriage, or your kids are driving you crazy; every day, you need one hour with your mind and body. I joined Weight Watchers. I love it. If you follow it, it works!

Obviously, you’ve been an extremely successful businesswoman. What traits do you think are most important to being successful?

Persistence, holding yourself to high standards, benchmarking what you do against others, not being afraid to do something similar to what others are doing only with a twist, constantly striving to be better, being flexible, inquisitive, and taking advantage of opportunities as they arise.

Out of all the places you traveled while on sabbatical – where is the most memorable and why?

Africa was pretty exciting. There are so many opportunities there for the people to lead happy and fulfilled lives. They just need to get the education and training to self-govern. The people who are in power seem to be repeating the same mistakes over and over again. There is a system of tribal patronage that creates favoritism and prevents government from serving the people. I hope they figure things out before all the animals and nature are destroyed.

In Rwanda tracking gorillas

What do you like to do in your down time?

I’m actually stressing over why I am allowing myself so much down time. No seriously, I’m spending a lot of time on what I call “social candy,” having meetings, meetings, meetings, and talking, talking, talking. I’m a person of action, so I’m not sure where all these meetings are going. But, I guess I will figure it out sooner or later.

What is the single best luxury you have? What would be the last luxury you would give up? (I gave Laurel examples such as record or art collection, valet parking, travel, etc.)

My health. I would pay anything to maintain it. I could give up taxis, going out, and travel. I could always travel in my mind by reading books. I take that back. I may not be able to give up my new loft apartment! My husband and I bought it a year ago and have not even moved in yet because we’re doing a gut renovation. Another luxury is not having to work every single day of the week. I work 2 days a week at mediabistro.com now. Prior to this, I worked every day for 26 years. I have freedom, space, and breathing room now. That is an incredible luxury.

Have you ever struggled with self-esteem or body image issues in the past? If so, how did you reach the point of accepting and loving yourself the way you are?

Or course I have felt inadequate. Like any other New York woman, I see the naturally tall and slender 19-year-old models walking around. And there are fresh crops of them arriving every day! It was really sobering when I first came here because I was accustomed to being considered attractive and suddenly I was completely invisible. Since then, I have learned that every woman in New York who is over thirty feels it. The invisibility. On top of that, your metabolism slows by one percent a year and it’s harder to stay in shape. So, my attitude is don’t sweat what you can’t change and work harder at what you can. There is a lot you can control. But it’s important to recognize the things you cannot control and try not to be too hard on yourself over those.

Readers want to know where you shop for clothes and where do you buy your favorite jeans?

I like to shop at Barneys, Bergdorf, Pucci, and random small shops that no one would recognize the names of. I like Earl and J Brand Jeans. J Brand Jeans seem to fit me perfectly.

What are some of your beauty must haves?

Eucerin moisturizer and any brand of legitimate UVA/UVB sunscreen to protect my skin.

Photographed by Diana Levine

What does a normal morning look like for you?

Every day, the first thing I do is have coffee at Gimme! Coffee and read the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal. I could spend two hours reading the papers, seriously. I want to read things the editors have carefully curated, not just stumble over random things on the Web. Then, I either work out or go to the office. Then, it’s off to the races.

Looking back at your career, what are you most proud of and what is your greatest achievement?

I’m really proud to finally have some recognition for building mediabistro.com into a great company. I wish the recognition had been easier to come by! But most people really didn’t give me any credit till I sold the company. Then, adulation poured in. It seems a bit cynical. I feel that I now have some of those wry New Yorkers’ grudging respect. Grudging being the keyword.

What goals do you have for the future and what are you excited about right now?

On the personal front, I’m working on getting into top shape. After all, I have been traveling for eight months, so I couldn’t really control my routine the way I wanted to. Externally, I want to change the world. I don’t know in what arena that will occur yet though. I want to do something that intellectually feeds me and that “feeds” the world as well. I’m excited to have time finally to focus on that more.

*Thank you, Laurel! You are amazing to work with and incredibly gracious!

**Mediabistro.com was sold to Jupitermedia.com, which became WebMediaBrands.com

***What is your proudest achievement? Who inspires you and why? How do you overcome obstacles? How do you stay healthy?

Plus-Size Models Unite is for ALL women of every size, shape, ethnicity, and age.

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Tali Giat Talks About Hollywood, Media, Fashion, Body Image, Self-Esteem, and Empowering Girls and Women to Embrace Diversity.

Posted in Beauty, Hair, & Make-up, Body Image, Celebrity, Confidence, Designers, Entertainment, Events, Fashion, Fitness & Health, Food, Inspiration, News, Photographers, Plus-Size Modeling, Self-Esteem, Shopping, Unique Beauty, Your Story with tags America Ferrera, Ashquelon, Bath & Body Works, Beauty, Body Image, Celebrity, Cindy Crawford, Confidence, Designers, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Events, Fashion, FOX, Full Figured Fashion week, Health, Inez Lewis, Inspiration, Israel, Make-Up, Meaningful Beauty, Models, More To Lov, New York, News, Penelope Cruz, Photographers, Plus Model Magazine, Plus-Size Modeling, Self-Esteem, Shopping, Tali Giat, Trade Tips, Unique Beauty on July 2, 2010 by Liz

Photographed by Khala Merg

Tali Giat is best known to audiences as the winner of the wildly popular FOX television show “More To Love.” Prior to her success on the small screen, Tali worked as wardrobe stylist and an up-and-coming plus-size model in New York City.

Tali was born in Ashquelon, Israel and is the oldest of six children. Her mission, as a spokesperson for healthy body image for women and girls, is to support initiatives that inspire a wider definition of beauty. Tali is working to empower women and contribute to the healthy body image revolution; which is to promote normal size woman in the media, marketing, entertainment, and fashion industries.

Photographed by Chris Steinbach

Tell us about your experience being cast on the FOX network show “More to Love” and being “the last woman standing.”

I was very excited when I received the call back that I was cast on the show. Being “the last woman standing” wasn’t an outcome anyone, especially myself, had anticipated. It was a very unique journey for me where I kept open-minded, yet genuine, and fell deeply in love. I also had the opportunity of meeting a great group of women and making great friendships. Becoming a certain role model and contributing to the representation of curvy, normal size women in Hollywood and TV, were also wonderful honors, which came along with the experience.

How do you think plus modeling and shows such as “More to Love” are helping our society to redefine beauty?

I think any opportunity where we (full-figured women) could express our voices and empower other girls, teens, and adult women to embrace our diversity and support our individuality, is bringing us one step closer to a better society and future. Whether it would be through the fashion industry, Hollywood, TV, radio, small organizations, or educational programs in schools, etc., we should all aspire to inspire. Shows like “More to Love” or the modeling industry are only helping to approach a larger amount of people; however, we must not forget that every single person can make an effective change, regardless of their social status or occupation.

Photography by Inez Lewis

Prior to your success on the small screen, you were a wardrobe stylist and up-and-coming Plus-Size Model. How did being on the show affect your career?

Being on the show has contributed to the exposure of my personality and fashion style. It helps that people have learned to know who I am as a person, and it is humbling to know that the way I dress is appealing to so many women. I believe that the clothes we choose to wear are somewhat a reflection of who we are in our personalities, so there is no ‘one way’ to dress. I am being questioned a lot for fashion advice since the show, and first I try to tell women that despite the trends, which are being fed to us by the fashion industry, there are no codes written in a book of laws, which you must follow. You need to know your own body and what makes your best parts look even better. It’s like music, you need to let it ‘speak’ to you, touch you in a way that makes you feel good, and with fashion, just like with music, it’s better if you stay open-minded to other types of ‘rhythms’, who knows – you might end up liking the song.

Are you currently modeling and styling wardrobes?

I am not styling as much as I use to before, simply because I am trying to dedicate my time to working more on being a contributing part of this amazing body and real beauty revolution, which I am so passionate about. I am currently not signed with any modeling agency, though I am looking to be picked up by one. Despite the growing plus-size industry and its growing representation in the media within the last year or so, it is still not easy to get into it professionally. This is an important subject I must admit upsets me; the industry’s requirements for accepting plus models and signing them as an official talent are still very strict. You must be no less than 5’8” in height. In reality, the average American woman (whom the rapidly growing plus-size industry is attempting to approach to) is 5’4” and a size 12-16. I strongly feel (and with much respect to my fellow friend models) that no one in the plus industry and its current working plus size models, has yet to properly represent that. I haven’t seen a single professional plus model who made a name for herself standing at less than 5’9”. However, we do have a few gorgeous celebrities who are, such as America Ferrera (5’1”) and Penelope Cruz (5’5”). This is a subject that should be brought up and discussed about in the industry. If we wish to represent reality, it is about time to open the plus industry to Petite Plus, we had it twenty years ago, and it could and should be brought back.

Photography by Inez Lewis

Have you ever struggled with self-esteem or body image issues in the past? If so, how did you reach the point of accepting and loving your body as it is?

I have struggled with self-esteem and body image issues most of my life. I think a lot of people, if not most of us do. Some more than others. I was picked on a lot throughout school years, and those feelings stayed with me for a long time after. It was eventually my move to the United States, at the age of 23, where I felt being curvy was a little bit more acceptable than where I grew up. I’ve met people, smaller and bigger than me; the smaller people were still not happy with who they are, and the bigger were so inspiring with their love for life and their love for who they are – the way they are. I’ve come to learn that no one is perfect and there is no one way to be or look. Then I slowly talked myself into embracing who I am instead of fighting it. It is too tiring. Sure, there are still things I would like to change about my body, but now it is for different reasons; not because I am pressured to look a certain way, but because I want to become healthier and in shape, so I can live a longer life in a stronger body.

As an Ambassador for Positive Body Image & Self Esteem, what advice would you give to girls and women, who are struggling with body image and self-esteem issues?

Look in the mirror; what you see is not what is, but what you tell yourself it is. The chase after perfection is a long road that hasn’t led anyone who walked it before you to its final destination yet. Why? Because such a place doesn’t exist, it is an illusion. An illusion, which we allow to be determined as a reality for us by exterior factors such as Hollywood, the media, the modeling world, and the brains behind technology. Your life is your own creation; it’s what you say it is. Shake it all off and take the control back into your own hands. I wish not to repeat the cliché about ‘you can’t expect others to accept and love you, if you don’t accept and love yourself first’, because you all already knows this. I am just going to say; try to be the change you want to see.

Photography by Inez Lewis

Where do you find stylish plus-size clothing?

Whoa… hard to pick just few; my favorite places to shop for casual/casual-dressy clothes are Forever 21, H&M, and Old Navy. For evening or dressier items, I like shopping at Nordstrom and Lord & Taylor because they offer variety of designers in affordable prices and they carry a large range of all sizes. Among my favorites are also J.Crew, Ann Taylor, and White House Black Market.

Who are some of your favorite designers?

I like to go more by looking at every design individually; the fabric and the cut a designer chose to feature in his/hers collection. So, every season my preference could change. But if I would be asked to name one absolutely INCREDIBLE designer I’m continuously impressed with every season, and I could say her runway shows in Milan leave me inspired, excited, and in a complete awe every year; I would hands down name the ridiculously talented, Italian Plus-Size Designer Elena Miro! She understands a woman’s body, and knows how to cut for curves in a brilliant way, using soft, feminine, elegant, and flattering fabrics. My long life dream is to be dressed in her designs, and more so to meet her in person.

Tali with Emmanuelle Chriqui attending the Fashion Delivers Charity event on June 15, 2010.

What are some of your beauty must haves?

1. Warm Vanilla Sugar body lotion & hand cream from Bath & Body Works is my must! I have a mini bottle I carry in each purse. (www.bathandbodyworks.com)

2. Cindy Crawford’s “Meaningful Beauty” day and night facial kit; I started using it about eight months ago and it is the best product I’ve invested in! I am addicted and probably will not use any other facial product line but hers. Highly recommended; plus - it is very affordable. (http://www.meaningfulbeauty.com)

3. Cherry Chapstick. Always!

Who do you consider a hero or role model?

Besides all the brave soldiers out there, I would say all those who raise themselves above all the hard times in life, own what they need to own, grow strong, and move on. These people keep me inspired.

Tali attending Full Figured Fashion Week June 16-19, 2010 in NYC – Photographed by Richard Lew

What are you excited about right now?

This interview!

Attending the Full Figured Fashion Week last week, of which I was asked to speak at the “Aspiring Models” panel at Hotel Pennsylvania, June 18. I shared my experience and point of views regarding Reality TV and the Hollywood world.

Attending the Fashion Delivers™ Charitable Foundation, Inc. (www.fashiondelivers.org) “Pay it Fashion Forward” event in support of Haiti. Bryan Greenberg from HBO’s “How to Make it in America” and Emmanuelle Chriqui from “Entourage” hosted the event June 15 at the Lucky Strike Lanes & Lounge in NYC.

My Spring Fashion Spread in the May issue of Plus Model Magazine (http://www.plusmodelmag.com/General/plus-model-magazine-article-detail.asp?article-id=310462599&page=0), and the new opportunities and people, which I am hoping will come my way with my new move to the West Coast this Summer.

*Thank you, Tali!

**Do you feel like women under 5’9″ are adequately represented in the media world? Do you feel comfortable and confident with your body type? What are some of your favorite beauty must haves? Who do you consider a hero or positive role model?

***Join Tali on Facebook & Twitter:
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tali-More-to-Love/247166500253?ref=ts
Twitter: http://twitter.com/TaliGiat

For all Media/Public/Booking Inquiries Please Contact:
Penelope Jean – Celebrity Publicist
www.PenelopeJean.com

9 Comments »

Plus-Size Models Unite

Archive for the Your Story Category

Becca Thorpe Talks About Self-Esteem and Body Image Issues, Favorite Beauty Products, Fashion, New Passions, and the Pressures Girls and Women are Facing Today!

How to Build Self-Esteem and Confidence by Elizabeth Nord

Life Doesn’t Start After Losing the Last Five or Ten Pounds. Live Your Best Life Now! Guest Post by Erin Henry.

Sierra Lisa Speaks Her Truth! She’s an Amazing Woman! We Are giving Away Ten Free DVD’s to the First Ten People Who Email Us. See Details at the Bottom of this Post!

Danielle van Grondelle Shares Positive Body Image & Self-Esteem Advice. She Also Talks About Redefining Beauty, Her Favorite Designers, Her Beauty Must Haves & More!

Kate Dillon has Brains, Beauty, and is an Advocate For Environmental & Humanitarian Causes Such As The Komera Project

Skinny vs. Full-Figured by Elizabeth Nord

Solveig Walkling Talks About Loving Your Body, Healthy Weight Tips, & Modeling Advice

Laurel Touby, mediabistro.com Creator, Talks About Overcoming Obstacles, Persevering, Success, Body Image, Health, Societal Misconceptions of Women, and Her Goals For the Future

Tali Giat Talks About Hollywood, Media, Fashion, Body Image, Self-Esteem, and Empowering Girls and Women to Embrace Diversity.

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