by Editor, Maddy Figueroa-Jones

Plus size model Ivana is one of the most recognizable and beautiful faces in the plus size modeling industry. With several national campaigns under her belt and countless appearances in magazines such as MODE and Figure we feel honored to have this talented young lady grace the cover of PLUS!

[Maddy] Hi Ivana, can you tell us a little about yourself? Did you always want to be a model?

[Ivana] I'm from Reading, PA: a rural city one hour from Philadelphia. I have three siblings: a 20 year old sister, an 18 year old brother and a 12 year old sister. My grandmother exposed me to travel by taking me on many trips growing up. I enjoyed the adventure and wanted to be a flight attendant when I was younger.

[Maddy] Was modeling something that came naturally to you?

[Ivana] Yes, modeling came naturally to me because I was always told that I was very photogenic. I actually studied the expressions and body gestures in magazines when I was in high school.

[Maddy] How did you get started as a model?

[Ivana] I love telling my story about how modeling sparked my interest. I was 19, in my second year in college, and at the local mall there was a sign up booth for modeling school. I paid $500 for the tuition with the last of my savings bonds; so very determined to start modeling. The agency held a small runway show and the etiquette coach said that she had been training women and models for years; that I looked great on the runway. My roommate had also been taking pictures of me for her photography class. The angles she used captured me like I had never seen before. So, I spoke with my cousin, who was signed with Ford Models. She said, "If you want to model, you have to do it big. You must go to New York!" She set up appointments for me to meet with the only three agencies at the time, and within six months I became a Ford Model.

[Maddy] I have some very old MODE Magazine's where I see a very young, curly haired Ivana. Can you tell me about those days working with MODE?

[Ivana] Mode magazine was my first shoot with Ford Models. At the time I had to use a pay phone to call in to see if I was booked for an editorial shoot in California. I was so excited when my agent told me that I was, that I jumped into six inches of snow and made snow angels, lol.  

We stayed in Oja Valley resorts the first part of the trip and dined next to Ellen Degeneres and Ann Heche! It felt surreal and that my dream had come true. The first shoot was a 1950's story. I wore a rose diamond-encrusted necklace and a black halter bathing suit. I felt like Marilyn Monroe: very classic Hollywood glamour. As we were cruising in the RV to Sunset Boulevard to check into The Standard Hotel, I realized that dreams do come true. I knew then that I was going to pursue modeling full-time. Mode magazine was what sparked my interest to model and was my first booked shoot. I am very grateful for those opportunities.

Photographer: Luke Jones