Thursday, September 12, 2013

"I prefer curvy"

4 Plus-sized models comment on the Plus-Sized industry.

(Trooper York please pick up the white courtesy phone...)

Candice Huffine

Have you ever been encouraged to lose or gain weight in order to get a modeling job?
"When I was meeting with agencies hoping to be signed, the plus industry was very fresh; I honestly had no idea it was an option. As a result of that lack of info, I ended up seeing agencies who did not represent curvy girls. I was asked to lose 15 pounds. I was 14 years old at the time and hungry for a contract but knew that way of getting it was just not for me. I declined and was signed as a plus model that afternoon."

Fluvia Lacerda
How did you get into modeling?
"I used to work as a nanny in NYC, and one day, while on a cross-town bus, I was stopped by a magazine editor, and she asked me if I had ever considered the idea of becoming a plus-size model. She gave me her card and told me briefly about agencies that had the divisions that worked with plus-size models and encouraged me to go visit them."

Have you ever had to pad for a shoot?
"Never needed!"
Jessica Milagros Guzman Sanchez
Do you get upset when you see people commenting and saying that you don’t represent a plus-size woman?
"Not really, but I get curious and I just ask them what a plus-size woman looks to them. It's quite obvious to me that I am. What they think of me is none of my business."

Jessica Milagros Guzman Sanchez
Whitney Thompson
If you could instantly lose weight and be a “regular” model, would you want to?
"No. I love my job, not just because of the glamorous life, but the fan mail — the people paying attention really mean something to me. I want to make a difference, not just be a pretty face. That's why I became an ambassador for the National Eating Disorders Association. I am so fulfilled doing my job."

Refinery29


67 comments:

ampersand said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
edutcher said...

Actually, I prefer sumptuous, scrumptious, luscious, voluptuous, womanly, buxom (is it me or is it getting hot in here?), ample, well-rounded...

Eric the Fruit Bat said...

It's hard to say "curvy" without sounding like a nitwit.

"Plus-sized" is okay, I guess.

I wouldn't expect anyone to go for "chunky."

Unknown said...

Jessica reminds me of Monica.

Trooper York said...

Plus sized models are an interesting lot. For every one that makes it there are fifty that don't. There are tons of scams where unscrupulous modeling agencies get these girls to pay for classes and head shots and just take their money and there are no jobs for them as most of the industry uses the same few people.

Trooper York said...

I don't use plus models on my website. I use family and my customers.

You see most plus size models have hourglass shapes with small waists. They do not reflect what most plus size women look like. So I use people with different shapes. With a belly. Bigger arms. Tall or petite. I want people to look at the model and say "I look like that."

Unknown said...

I was going to comment on the proportionality that Trooper York mentions. Plus sized models often don't look very plus sized because they're heavier than typical models, and curvy, but they are big in the right places. Most heavier women aren't lucky enough to have the extra inches in the bust and hips only, while keeping a small waist.

Good plus sized clothing lines take this into account and help emphasize the positive and minimize the negative, but it is harder to find those same attributes when you are not plus sized, but a curvier size 10-12 range. A lot of lines are taking that concept into account for pants now but not for tops. It's a market niche in need of filling, for those of us who fill out our blouses a bit too much.

Eric the Fruit Bat said...

I should think that just about every plus-sized model who makes money at it would have high cheek bones and a well-defined jawline, despite the extra pounds.

Sara Rue was in a few episodes of The Big Bang Theory.

Evi L. Bloggerlady said...

Dan Collins is a leader in this...also known as chubby chasing!

Trooper York said...

Well CStanley we take that into account in our double zero size.

We make clothes for sizes 10 to 28 and often get girls who are busty but don't necessarily need more room in the belly or hips. The oo size always sells out first since so many girls love nice prints and fabrics that we come up with.

Trooper York said...

We did a fashion show for plus size last year that had 15 models walking the runway. None of them got paid. They did it for the exposure. About 150 women attended. 100 had entered into the modeling contest where you could win a chance at a photo shoot.

Unknown said...

What's your URL, Trooper?

I remember seeing your wife's shop on TV and thought it was great. Had no idea you were related until someone mentioned it during all the weirdness at TOP.

Birches said...

What website is this?

Trooper York said...

Time for a Crack Emcee style shameless plug.
Lee Lees Valise.com

We are currently having our blow out end of summer sale with a lot of great bargins. Email if you have any questions.

Trooper York said...

The show is currently airing in Australia so I am getting a lot of orders from down under.

Trooper York said...

You can use the size charts but if you describe yourself as a 12 you should look at the double zero.

The number one thing women do when they come into the shop is say they are a size bigger than they really are.

My sizing is very generous and made correctly for plus size. It is meant to fit to the body and is not shapeless or baggy or boxy.

We are keeping the sale going to move out inventory to make room for fall. It is still very warm in NYC so I am holding off on Fall for a couple of weeks.

Trooper York said...

Another shameless plug.

Here is a link to some clips of the show.

You might even get a glimpse of Trooper York.

Trooper York said...

As an example of the reality of the plus size model world you can see one of the clips where this girl Shelly King is featured. She actually was an aspiring plus size model who lied to us to get on the show. Most of the girls who make it are tireless self promoters and will beg borrow or steal to get a gig.

Shelly is different as she doesn't have the perfect hourglass figure so it is very hard for her to get gigs.

Unknown said...

The Kristi Tunic blouse is the kind of thing that I'm looking for. I will give it a try and will let you know how it works out.

deborah said...

Shelly is gorgeous.

Eric the Fruit Bat said...

The casting couch in the world of plus-sized models must be a sturdy piece of furniture.

Chip Ahoy said...

Great video! I watched it on... (wait for iiii....t..., wait...)...full screen.

Double Divas is my favorite show presently and I love every odd person who comes into that store.



Trooper York said...

I will be doing a couple of new tunics this fall. Not all sizes are available but we will figure something out.

Trooper York said...

Shelly got on the show on false pretenses. As did a couple of others who were aspiring models. You really have to do what it takes to make it in the plus model game. Not everyone can do it.

Trooper York said...

The Kristi is a poplin cotton top that I was very successful with. I also highly recommend the Brianna top which is my best selling top.

It is a take off on the poet blouse that Sophia Loren used to wear but it comes back to the body to give a great shape. Plenty of room for the girls. My busty girls love the Brianna top.

deborah said...

"Shelly got on the show on false pretenses. As did a couple of others who were aspiring models. You really have to do what it takes to make it in the plus model game. Not everyone can do it."

Fugetabuotit.

Trooper York said...

My producer was moron. We caught a couple of them but a few slipped through.

One of the girls that was on the show has been on three others since we aired including "The Biggest Loser."

Some people know how to play the game.

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

Nice going Trooper.

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

The show is currently airing in Australia so I am getting a lot of orders from down under.

Cut!

I couldn't resist.

deborah said...

Was Stacey the director, producer, what?

Methadras said...

What's with the 4 names on that one girl? Insecure much?

Birches said...

Wow, really great clothes.

Trooper York said...

Stacy was the executive producer. That means she didn't have hands on responsibility for the show. There was a show runner who did that. She came in at the end to help us fix stuff.

Trooper York said...

Stacy was the executive producer. That means she didn't have hands on responsibility for the show. There was a show runner who did that. She came in at the end to help us fix stuff.

Unknown said...

I have ordered the Kristi. The Brianna looks lovely too but the blouses I have the hardest time finding are the more structured, button up tops that allow enough room for the girls without having to size up so much that the rest of the blouse is huge.

And, you had me at "Added hidden buttons to prevent gapping."

Trooper York said...

Well then you will love the Beverly button down which we are currently cutting. I sold every single one of them except for the one in the "tuxedo" fabric in which I only have big sizes 3 and
4.

Trooper York said...

The Beverly button down has the same hidden buttons but will be made in different prints and fabrics appropriate for the fall and winter. Not summer poplin which I will repeat next summer.

Trooper York said...

Birches thank you for the kind words.

I also love your beer.

deborah said...

Troop, thanks for the link. I've always meant to look your show up, but never got around to it. Not because I wasn't interested, because I was! Just internet scatter-brain syndrome.

Lisa is warm and beautiful, and you clean up well, you handsome bastard.

I'm sorry the show didn't catch on, but what an experience to have had! Do you consider making new pitches? Lisa has such great presence. I love in the clip when she's wearing those little half-glasses.

The Dude said...

Lisa is talented and awesome. Of course, she made one huge blunder, but hey, we are all allowed one Mulligan.

sakredkow said...

Actually, I prefer sumptuous, scrumptious, luscious, voluptuous, womanly, buxom (is it me or is it getting hot in here?), ample, well-rounded...

It's not so hard for us all to agree on the important things.

deborah said...

"Lisa is talented and awesome. Of course, she made one huge blunder, but hey, we are all allowed one Mulligan."

Dude, it's called landing the big Kahuna.

deborah said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Trooper York said...

We have things in the works like a book tour for the style book we are working on. Also pop up stores in various spots around the USA. And Canada. And now maybe Australia.

The thing is that the clothes are what is important. The clothes got us the show...the show didn't get us the clothes.

Stay tuned.

deborah said...

Very exciting. I was impressed when she talked about designing all those looks in all those fabrics. What fun!

When the book comes out, I WILL be stopping by for an autograph.

*goes to site to look at the dress line*

Icepick said...

Actually, I prefer sumptuous, scrumptious, luscious, voluptuous, womanly, buxom (is it me or is it getting hot in here?), ample, well-rounded...

I like big butts and I can not lie
You other brothers can't deny
That when a girl walks in with an itty bitty waist
And a round thing in your face
You get sprung....

deborah said...

Beautiful line, Troop. Melissa is a sweet model.

Trooper York said...

She certainly is. We also mixed in several customers as well.

We are shooting some fall pieces today that will go up next week. Our cowl neck dress is off the hook and will be a big seller this fall.

deborah said...

Using customers is a triple win...they are flattered, encourages return business, looks great on the site.

I adore cowls. One of the most flattering innovations.

deborah said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
I Have Misplaced My Pants said...

My anaconda don't want none unless you got buns, hon.

Meade said...

Nice blog infomercial.

Synova said...

I liked the one model who answered "Do you think of yourself as plus sized" with something like "Heck, no, I don't wear plus sized clothing, plus sized models start at size 6!" I don't think that she was claiming that *she* was size 6 but that sort of blew my mind.

The Dude said...

Meade, the grifter, who scammed an old prostitute, has the nerve to call someone else out.

Poor stupid, uneducated, unskilled gigolo, a man who is so emotionally and intellectually stunted that he stopped learning any life skills after about the age of seven, comes over here and makes a comment. That's just sad. Get back to your "wife" and resume being her bitch, bitch.

Meade said...

I see someone could use a plus size anger management class or two.

Synova said...

Well, I think it was a very nice blogmercialwhatever. More of the same would be great. Checking out the new tv show would be great because it sounded like a whole lot of fun, positive instead of shaming. It's easier to get in shape or lose a few pounds when you're not wallowing in negative feelings and invested in failure. And when a size 6 counts as "plus" there is something truly screwed up with the world.

Also, what's with the way most fat clothes have such huge neck openings, as if your head gets bigger with your body when you gain weight. Oh that makes me nuts! It looks like crap, too.

The Dude said...

You sure could, Meade. And a class in integrity, honesty and morality. You lack all three.

But your bitch summons you, so go shave her back and pour her some more box wine. She so needs to get drunk to blot out the memory of how fucked up her life is.

Icepick said...

But your bitch summons you, so go shave her back and pour her some more box wine.

Isn't this usually Cody's job? Are you just picking up the slack or am I forgetting who handles what?

The Dude said...

Feel free to join in - bitch needs slappin', that's all.

Anonymous said...

I wonder why Freeman Hunt never comments here anymore, or why Paddy O, so rarely does? I think it may be more than simply being busy.

The Dude said...

fiona - does poor little Meadey need your help? Did he ask his favorite little Nazi spawn to come over and ask stupid questions?

Don't answer - no one really cares.

Meade said...

Oh come on, Sexty. Everyone knows my favorite little Nazi spawn is you.

The Dude said...

Well, we know your "wife" really really like homosexuals, and you think I'm sexty, as you keep writing, but seriously, you are a demented fool married to a drunk.

So, got any plans to fly to Europe this fall?

Trooper York said...

If Freeman Hunt or PaddyO have a problem with this blog then they should take their names off of it. I trust in their integrity and I would think that they are just busy. School just started and I am sure they have a lot to do.

To coin a phrase Fiona is just a shit stirrer supreme. Go fuck yourself.

Anonymous said...

No, no you're too kind, you hold the title of Chief Shit Stirrer, wear it proudly.

Trooper York said...

Ok. Then you can just be shit.

It is appropriate. Enjoy.

The Dude said...

Nazi shit, at that. Does your arm still fly up in a salute whenever you see der fuhrer, er, Obama on television fiona? Or have you mostly gotten that under control by now?

Right, now goosestep on out of here, you socialist sockpuppet.