One of the great parts of working in the plus size fashion field is that you get to meet so many cool people.  I had the pleasure of meeting Nicole a few months ago.  I loved her story and I am sure you will too.  Not only will you learn about her but she is the current plus beauty of the week!

Where are you from?

San Juan, Texas. a.k.a. The Rio Grande Valley

What inspired you to become a model?

Well that’s the deepest question of them all. That’s a tough way to begin this interview. When I was younger, I could not find clothes that fit me. I absolutely hated shopping. There were no stores with clothes that fit me. By the time I was in high school, I was over 200 pounds, when I met Ana who was older a bit larger than me with tons of confidence! She told me, VERY nicely, “Nicole, you’re really pretty. You just don’t know how to dress.” I felt helpless and replied I just couldn’t find clothes in my size. She said, “No no no. We can fix this. Trust me! Ana said, “No! I know exactly where to take you. You’re a Lane Bryant girl.” The second I stepped into the store, I gasped. The clothes were bigger and so colorful. Everything that I had spent my life studying and hoping I could wear was suddenly right in front of me… in my size! I went nuts. I kept trying everything on and everything fit.

From that moment I dressed up almost every day. and stopped wearing wind jackets that hid my body. I wanted every girl to know they could dress for their size, they just needed to learn where and how to shop. I wanted to model for Lane Bryant, but I didn’t know how in the world I was going to do that… and I still did not have the confidence.  So, I went off to college and I always had the idea in my mind, but I didn’t really believe it was possible. I thought I was still too big. So, what inspired me to model? A store… a store that made me start smiling and lead to me being a model and that store was, Lane Bryant.

Do you prefer print or runway? Why?

Ah! I don’t know! I just walked in my first runway show, Full Figured Fashion Week in New York!  Until designers start creating high fashion, plus size outfits, or a producer takes a leap and finally creates a theatrical experience for a runway show, I have to say print. I’m a theatre baby. I LOVE acting. From sets, to lighting, to big hair and makeup, and ah! There are no creative boundaries for photo shoots. I can’t wait to do more theatrical shoots.

What are your thoughts on the term plus size?

I think it sounds old. I associate plus size with older ladies and moms. I finally embraced the term when I was at a shoot. I had been losing weight and the photographer told me I almost didn’t look like a plus size model anymore. I gasped. I was so offended. I didn’t want to be normal. I never fit in with normal. I was supposed to be different. I am very proud to say I am a plus size model. I do not, however, believe the term should be used to describe younger girls.

Juniors divisions need to expand their size ranges so girls will be able to shop in the same areas where other girls their age shop. The market is there. Depriving curvy girls of clothing is just dumb. Companies are missing out on a GREAT deal of income, and our youth should not have to walk over to the same section, with their moms, to find clothes for school.

When did you know that you could make a career out of modeling?

I knew I could make a career out of modeling when I read Crystal Renn’s book, “Hungry.” I knew that if Crystal could do it, other girls could too.

What is your dream modeling job?

A beautiful, stunning, theatrical photo shoot. Something very, very creative. I’m seeing lots of color. My dress has to be flowing. There definitely have to be wild animals on the set, preferably a tiger or a white horse, as well as water and foliage, too. The picture would be very dream-like.

What was it like participating in Full Figured Fashion Week?

No words. Gasp. Smile. Enough said

How do you prepare for a photoshoot?

I pack! I find out what I’ll be wearing, then I pack the right undergarments, shoes, accessories, etc. I make sure my nails match the shoot requirements. I make sure my hair is clean and manageable, I drink lots of water and play music while getting dressed to go the shoot! David Bowie’s “Under Pressure,” um… yeah… love! Models must give themselves extra time to get ready if they listen to that, though. Getting dressed while dancing is a challenge!

What do you prepare for an audition?

All I do for those is prepare to be myself. I’ll do something that makes me happy the day before. I do pack some snacks, with protein, and I always take a water bottle with me, but that’s about it. My audition philosophy: Do whatever you need to do to be you at your audition. You MUST be present and you better be ready to have fun/ bring it

What advice do you have for a new model starting out?

Don’t be afraid. You can do it. Believe that, and you will

What is next for you in the world of modeling?

Signing with an agency, I hope. This is my career! I want to shoot! I want to travel! I want to learn from other photographers and models and pass things on! Learning all of the ropes on your own is extremely hard. I want to be a part of a team… a very strong team that strives to push boundaries. That team will become my home base. I know I’ll find the right people, soon. You must always have hope.

Full Figure Plus - Plus Size Fashion For Today's Active Women

Today you are going to get a chance to meet Bella Styles, stylist and entrepreneur extraordinaire. I have known about her for some time but only recently reached out to get to know her a bit better. In the continuing 10 questions… series you get a chance to get to know Bella. Enjoy.

1. Where do you call home? I currently live in Richmond, Virginia but travel very often to various places for fashion shows and events.
2. Did the name Bella Styles come up before or after you started a blog? I got the nickname Bella as a youngster as sort of a joke but it kinda stuck with me through the years. I have always been stylish so when it came time to decide on a business name I combined the two to form “Bella Styles.”
3. Why did you decide to start your blog? This past May I instructed one of the classes for The Plus Academy VIRGINIA and realized on that day that I have a lot of information and insight to give to people. I have always re-posted informative bulletins on Facebook and Myspace but that day of class is what made me realize that I need my own platform to share all my valuable info. I started my blog on my personal website, www.bellastyles.net, in May but recently had to move the Bella Style’s Blog to WordPress because I had so much content to share. I feel so blessed to have such a large following and for people to really appreciate what I do. I just reached over 10,000 visitors this week and have only been on my new blog url for almost a month
4. Who are you looking to reach with your writing?  I aim to reach plus-size women who may not know how to or feel motivated enough to be fashionable and stylish. My aim is to be a positive example of how a woman with “curves” can look great and be “model material”. Unlike what mainstream media wants us to believe. But I also blog on straight-size fashions, modeling auditions, beauty items, celebs, savings & designer inspired looks, children’s fashion, recipes, traveling and more. So there’s something for everyone!
5. How did you come to be a writer for SKORCH? It was from my constant informative bulletins and pictures that I frequently posted on Myspace relating to plus-size fashion and events that Jessica Kane, Owner of SKORCH, contacted me to become the Fashion Editor. I know alot of people have their reservations about social sites but if you market yourself correctly, these platforms can open many doors. You never know who’s watching your page!
6. What exactly does a stylist do?  A stylist is someone who assists a client who may not have time to shop, the fashion knowledge to know the trends or a client who may be a little insecure about certain things. I almost become like a sister or BFF to clients once we start shopping & trying on different looks. Although I always remain professional, you have to “really” get to know the client in order to learn their style, fashion sense & body type. A stylist also helps models on photo-shoots with their looks. We may see the little things from afar that you yourself would overlook.
7. Is it different styling for plus size women? Yes, there is a major difference from styling straight-size women. Firstly, there aren’t as many mainstream stores that cater to plus sizes like they do straight-size women. (But hopefully that’s all about to change). The stores that are dedicated strictly to plus-size women are shopped at by “every” plus-size woman so you’re likely to see yourself replicated if you don’t really style an outfit correctly. So it’s really a time consuming task. I personally have found out recently that there are alot of very “stylish & upbeat” fashion lines from the UK that cater to plus-sizes. So with that said, I have to allow for the extra time for the shipments to arrive. Next, curvy women’s body shapes are so different. You have to make sure that they are wearing the proper “foundations” underneath their clothing in order for the garments to look presentable.
8. What challenges do you face styling plus sizes?  As I just stated plus-size women have to wear the proper foundations under their clothing. I often find that some curvy ladies are in denial about themselves and don’t want to wear Spanx or a Girdle. They don’t seem to realize that when you go on set for a photoshoot ‘everything’ must be proportioned and presentable. This has been my biggest challenge styling a plus-size woman.
9. When did you know that being a stylist was what you wanted to do? When I was in middle school I always was the one who took chances with my fashion. I never let my size deter me in any way. I felt “model” in my bones back then. I was blessed enough to be able to frequent NYC so I always came back with unique stuff. I would wear the bob wigs and MCM bags before anyone down here in Va knew about them. I always liked to be ahead of the crowd and trends. It came so natural to me but I realized that some women really struggle with fashion. So once I became grown and went out into the workforce I was always complemented on my attire. People were constantly asking me, “Where’d you get that outfit?” or “How’d you think to put that together?”. It sort of became an ego booster and I said to myself, “Why not get paid for my advice?”. Therefore back in 2005 I developed my company “Bella Styles Personal Shopping & Fashion Styling” to assist others with my talents.
10. From a stylist point of view what did you think of Full Figured Fashion Week™? Well I didn’t arrive to NYC until that Friday but the buzz allover the internet was already wild. I went right into a panel discussion where we discussed the business side of the plus-size industry. But for the actual finale show I have to say that I was “wowwed’. Never have I gone to a plus-size fashion show where all the clothing I can say that I wanted to go home with. This was my first time really seeing “curvy couture” looks. I would have thought the designers were Jean Paul Gaultier & Givenchy if I didn’t know better. It gave me such a thrill in my stomach to see beautiful, well put together models and designs on the runway. You could tell that this was a “production” and not just another show. I have been dreaming about this day for awhile and I think that mainstream fashion lines will open their eyes to “curvy ladies” on the runway thanks to Ms. Gwen DeVoe’s vision.

I don’t know about you but I learned a lot today about style something I have been writing about. Thanks to Bella for agreeing to me being nosey. If you haven’t already checked out the world of Bella Styles start at her personal website and branch out from there!

Full Figure Plus - Plus Size Fashion For Today's Active Women

One of the great parts about blogging is hearing from readers.  Last weeks edition of the Full Figure News newsletter included a question, “Do you feel that plus size fashion is getting the respect it deserves?” I have my own opinion on this particular subject, but I wanted to hear from you guys to see if the state of the plus size community is changing or still has a long way to go.

Of the responses given there were a few that gave me reason to pause.  The response that made me think the most was one that focused on designers, models, and the media.  Full Figure Plus has some fantastic readers.  If you have not signed up for the newsletter all it will cost you is your email address.  To those who have signed up but have not confirmed your email all it takes is a few seconds to click the link.

Full Figure Plus - Plus Size Fashion For Today's Active Women

From reader comments come the most interesting posts and this question is no exception.  Today’s subject is the shelf bra.

I’m interested in how to fit a shelf bra. I have a smaller band and larger cups, 32F/34E. I feel like the girls would pop right out of a shelf bra unless it was specifically made for larger breasts. Some tips on how to actually wear a shelf bra would be beneficial.

A shelf or open bra can be worn by someone with larger breasts but would not be very practical for daily wear or leaving the house.  Taking my wife, for example who is a 42G, a shelf bra would be a waste of time because there simply is not enough material to support the size of her breasts.

How can you determine if a shelf bra is right for you?  In the case of the example the only solution would be to have a custom fitted bra made to ensure proper support and coverage well what little coverage a shelf bra will offer.  Regardless seeking the advice of a professional fitter will answer 99% of most questions regarding the styles of bra that are right for you.

A better choice for fuller breasts would be the open tip/cup bra.  The one that is shown in the picture has an underwire in it to provide support while still allowing the exposure of the nipple area like what a shelf bra would do.

Both styles are normally worn for intimate encounters or to provide support when sleeping.  Neither is reccommended for street wear unless you are in an area that exposed breasts are common and would not offend others.

Full Figure Plus - Plus Size Fashion For Today's Active Women

Just like everything in life the term Full Figure has a different definition depending on who you talk to.  For me when I think of full figure equals men wearing a pants size 38 and above and women size 18 and above.  As you can see the perception that I have as to what I consider larger does not match what the supposed norm is.

In the world of modeling full figured is considered a size10/12. Depending on the year it is the fashion industry states that full figured is either a size 12 or a 14.  Makes you wonder if there is a fashion forecaster that flips a coin during the Winter season to let the advertisiers and buyers know what the latest full figured numbers will be.

Just like the Lifetime reality show How Do I Look Naked tries to change womens perception about their body image men and women should stop thinking in terms of full figured, bbw, plus size in terms of body image. These terms are good to use to categorize the size of clothing but little else.  Sure just like anything else everyone comes in various sizes but size has absolutely nothing to do with content of character or self worth.

Size is just a number.  If you happen to be a full figured woman or a husky man don’t let the number that is on the tag of your clothes control your life to the point that talking about what size you are becomes more difficult that discussing salary requirements when interviewing for a new job.

Full Figure Plus - Plus Size Fashion For Today's Active Women

Answering reader questions is something that has become pretty successful on this blog. I have been doing it long enough to be able to study the statistics of which posts got more attention than others. Below is the list of Full Figured Questions that you guys found the most useful.

1. Full Figured Questions – Shelf Bras
2. The Do’s and Don’ts of How Full Figured Women Look
3. Top 10 plus size swimsuits for 2007
4. Full Figured Questions – Is Full Figured Really The In Thing Now?
5. 10 Steps to a Perfect Wedding Gown
6. Full Figured Question – What to Wear if you Have a Fuller Figure?
7. Full Figured Questions – 2008 Mo’Nique’s F.A.T. Chance Auditions
8. Full Figured Question – Carribean Plus Size Clothing
9. Full Figured Questions – Stomachs
10. Full Figured Question – Jennifer Hudson’s Wardrobe

Full Figure Plus - Plus Size Fashion For Today's Active Women