By Maddy Figueroa-Jones

Velvet d'Amour - you have seen this plus size beauty in French Vogue (February 2006) and in the acclaimed Movie, AVIDA, but it was not until the media frenzy about the plus size model strutting her curves in lingerie on the catwalk that the entire world stopped and took notice.

Warning -- If you are the type of person that becomes faint at heart at the mention of the word 'FAT' then this is not the interview for you. However, if you are open-minded, we welcome you to meet Velvet, a pioneer in the size acceptance movement. She's a model, character, photographer and confident plus size woman that became a household name after walking for Jean Paul Gaultier in lingerie. Every news magazine, blog and forum had a topic dedicated to the "big woman" that commanded the catwalk.

Then came the backlash - the ridicule - and sometimes by the plus size industry! But through it all, Velvet continues to 'represent.' I wanted to sit down with this powerhouse for an in depth interview and what I received was a life long experience I will never forget.

[Maddy] Are you a model?

[Velvet] I think it depends on your definition of modeling. If you consider modeling as being paid and signing a contract then yes I have been modeling. I've been paid for shoots, shows and for magazine shoots. However, I don't necessarily define myself as a model.

[Maddy] So how do you define yourself? Who is Velvet?

[Velvet] I'm trying to change the face of beauty and what is accepted as beautiful. I want to help change the way people think of beauty. I'm all about size acceptance and diversifying the definition of beauty. Full figured and FAT people need to be in the media like TV, radio, modeling, etc... we are part of this society.

[Maddy] How do you feel about the skinny ban?

[Velvet] Well I feel like this: what about the short ban? The age ban? The ethnic ban? It's not really all about skinny – maybe two skinny models won't make it on the runway this year but there are more models that won't make it on the runway because they are not tall enough, small enough, young enough.

The skinny ban is just another prejudice so I don't particular agree with it. I don't believe you can judge people's health on appearance. I think that models are perceived to be the "icons" of modern health. It's insane... I think that what people see needs to change. Like who we see as newscasters, interviewers and people at large in media. They should have older people, fat people and not just include people that fit this certain criteria. No one talks abut this at all they just speak about the runway. The idea behind the skinny ban is good... they want models to be healthy but the reality of how that plays itself out we will have to see.