Name: Monica
Resides In: Brooklyn, NY
Stats: 5'6" / Size: 12-14 / Age 21
Online portfolio: http://www.myspace.com/140978916
When did you decide you wanted to be a plus model?
My mom was a successful
model in Poland and would affectionately call me her "little
model." From the age of two, I loved posing for the camera,
playing dress-up and flipping through Vogue and other fashion
magazines. I remember looking at many clothing and lingerie catalogues -
particularly Victoria's Secret, and thinking to myself, "That's going
to be me one day."
When I was fourteen, I began researching all the information I could
about the modeling industry. I even bought a tape called "Model's
Bootcamp." I studied fashion shows, model walks, poses, how to do hair
and makeup as well as all the terms used in the industry. I was always very
curvy with an hourglass shape; even when I was a size 2/4. I shopped
myself around to various photographers, and began working as an
independent model.
I quickly began growing into my shape, and realized I could no longer
work as a "straight-size" model. By the age of 18, my measurements
were a 36DDD chest -- 26" waist -- 38" hips. I kept growing and now my
body has "settled" into its' curvy, plus model shape with a 30" waist and 42" hips.
I realize that the body I have is very beautiful, and luckily, there is
a market for it. Just because I was now the size of the average
American woman, (and not that of a toothpick), didn't mean I wasn't
beautiful.
I now have greatly expanded my portfolio and have met with and worked
with many incredible people in the plus-size industry. In about a year
or so, when I finish college, I am determined to sign with an agency in
New York City. I anticipate working with many more wonderful,
fun-filled people that embrace the curves that a woman should have.
Who are your favorite curvy role models?
Being Polish and Puerto Rican, curves have always been celebrated in my
family. To have a full chest, hips, thighs and a booty meant that you
had the shape of a real woman; the kind of shape that was celebrated
for thousands of years in paintings and sculptures. So naturally women
like Marilyn Monroe, Laetitia Casta, Jennifer Lopez, Salma Hayek,
Shakira, Beyonce, Mia Tyler, Kate Winslet, Drew Barrymore and Tyra
Banks are women whose size and shape made me believe that you can be
curvy and sexy.
Lately, I have also found an increased admiration for
Tyra Banks. From her "So What?!" campaign to her
Thick and Sexy Top
Model competition, Tyra has been such an encouraging role model to all
women. She is unafraid to admit that she has imperfections, and gives
so much love and support to plus-size women.
What I truly admire about all of these women is that they all say "No"
to the skinny trend. They keep toned and healthy, and just don't care
how everyone else says they should look. All of these women love to
show off and dress their curves and that is a positive statement in
itself.
Photograher: Victoria Sprung
