Evolve Issue 1 by Ash Kamat

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GET THE LOOK

GODDESS

GLAMOUR

PLUS SIZE FASHION

How to be Confident

& Curvy

THINKING ABOUT

Weight Loss Surgery

MICA PARIS The girl next door?

Angie Le Mar

Rosie Mercado Lady Lush

TOP POSITIONS for curvy girls 1

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Evolve’s cover star is confident, vivacious and outspoken. But she hasn’t always been that way. . .

Cover star

“As a child I was really shy and skinny. They called me ‘Boney M’ ”

S I R A P MICA r o o d t x e n l r i g The

ica Paris, Evolve’s first ever cover star bounds into the Shaftesbury Avenue studio ever so slightly late. She’s easily forgiven as whilst apologising she hustles for a seat and explains that this is her third job of the day but that’s nothing new for Mica. She started working at 17 and has been busy ever since because as she put it, she’s “scared of what will happen” if she stops. She even describes the only time she stopped working as when she did a stint on Radio 2. When I point out that radio is still work, she laughs, “Yeah but you turn up, chat, spin a few records, it’s easy.” You get the impression talking alongside music is her thing. Mica is the ultimate girl next door; sharing makeup tips with the girls on set she is instantly likeable. Note to self, she recommends Illamasqua foundation! Bare-faced whilst getting her hair done she has no problem with us taking a few snaps pre-make-up. Paris is confident, vivacious and out-spoken but she hasn’t always been that way. Shy as a child brought up by her grandparents in Lewisham, South-East London Paris started singing in the local church. She soon realised her potential as the congregation broke into applause every time she held a note. She went on to sing in different churches around the country before starting work as a backing singer and before long she had her first record deal and a number one hit with ‘One Temptation’.

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EVOLVE INTERVIEW Celebrity beckoned and as Mica began living the high life, performing huge shows and being interviewed she struggled to find the confidence that was required. Taking advice from her aunt, “Fake it until you make it honey!” became her mantra. Her Aunt also helped to raise her self confidence by telling her to look into the mirror each day and tell herself how beautiful she is. “It took a while, but eventually I started to believe it. To see what everyone saw.” It was one thing finding the confidence to be a big star at 17 but once she hit her twenties the curves hit. “As a child I was really shy and skinny. They called me ‘Boney M’” she told us. After the birth of her first child, Monet, she then had to embrace her new womanly body. By the time she was 30 she was 5’11’’ and a size 16, her record company branded her two people in one body due to the yoyoing of her size. “Every time I had an album coming out or a show to do I would lose weight and get in shape and once the show was over the weight would

go back on. I knew I had to do something to break the cycle.” Mica embraced a healthy diet and exercise and began to see food differently. “I became interested in food. I wanted to know what I was putting into my body rather than just eating whatever was available to me.” This was a turning point for Mica; health, nutrition and exercise brought about a new lease of life. Meeting her in the flesh you would never guess she had once struggled with body issues and confidence. So what advise does she have for other women out there? “Control! Take back the control in your life. Make time for you, even if it’s just taking the time to do your hair and make-up.” Mica believes that although self confidence comes from the inside the outside is a good place to start regardless of your size. She recommends making the effort to feel good about the way you look, focusing on the things you like about yourself and most of all working with what you’ve got. We move on to the Evolve revolution of plus size role models and the influences facing women in the media every day. Mica has a firm view on both. “Plus size models are a great role model to put out there as long as they are healthy.” After a long discussion about some of the most beautiful, curvy women out there we get to Gossip singer Beth Ditto, “I don’t see Beth Ditto as healthy. To me she doesn’t look good.” “The

media need to be more responsible in putting a variety of role models out there, not just tiny girls or plus size. All women need to be able to relate to the images around them.” So what’s next for Mica Paris, the soul diva? Well, of course her diary is jam packed! After releasing her first studio album in 10 years in 2009 Mica is going back to making albums with not one but three in the pipeline, including a covers album featuring classics by songstresses Ella Fitzgerald and Nina Simone. Also after the success of her clothing line with plus size retailer Simply Be, Mica is working with an unknown designer to create a new, exciting capsule line in sizes 14 -32. Definitely something to watch out for! And as if that wasn’t enough work for anyone she is also currently rehearsing for a new television show with Michael Ball and performing regularly around the country. On a final note we ask Mica, what makes you proud to be you? Without hesitation Mica replies, “I’m an eternal student, greedy for knowledge. I always want to learn more, grow as a person. I think it’s important to understand that there is always more to discover.” What a great way to view life, as we become older, wiser and more successful there is always more to work towards in life and Mica Paris is certainly not showing any signs of slowing down. n

“Take back control in your life. Make time for you, even if it’s just taking the time to do your hair and make-up.” 4

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EVOLVE CONTENTS Briony Anne

n a C How d n e M You n e k o r aB ? t r a e H p Plan U k a e r B ’s l r i The Smart G ards w d E ie w o Z y B 6

In 1971 Al Green first crooned that timeless question – How can you mend a broken heart? Almost 30 years later, I’m lying on the floor of my bachelorette pad, in an ice cream and alcohol induced stupor, trying not to dribble wine on my chin, with that very same song on repeat, contemplating that very same question. (This, incidentally, is stage 2 of the break-up process. Stage 3 involves heaving onesself off the floor, swapping Al for Beyonce and furiously shaking one’s bootay whilst pondering an altogether different dilemma involving the possibility of him liking it and querying his failure to put a ring on it). It must have been a vaguely pathetic sight, seeing me reduced to such clichés of relationship fall-out and the irony of it is I didn’t even like him that much. He was an all cheekbones, no substance type, far too aware of his own moderate prettiness. No, I’m not mourning the loss of Mr Quite-GorgeousBut-Knows-It, I’m attempting to repair the damage his exit from my life has done to my self-esteem. For, it seems, even as we wave goodbye to a bloke who is glaringly obviously wrong for us, it still leaves us questioning our attractiveness, girlfriend potential, bedroom prowess and general worthiness as a human being and member of society.

What strikes me, then, is that it is crucial for us girls to deal the emotions surrounding the end of a relationship in the right way. Obtain, dare I to use that awful, overused cliché, closure. Not just so we can cease with that tedious kissing of frogs business and find Mr Right, but so we can be the best version of ourselves in all areas of our lives. I caught up with relationship expert and owner of 121datingcoach.com Bryony Anne to find out if there may be a more waistline friendly solution than my ice cream and wine remedy . . . Hi, Bryony. First of all, how would you describe your job? I’m a professional dating coach. I trained initially academically as a marketing consultant, but then one of the blue chip clients I was working for asked me to repackage him, personally. I got him into the shops, got him a haircut, got him looking after himself and looking ‘up’ a bit. I got him socialising in circles he wouldn’t usually be involved with. He’s now happily married with 3 kids. That’s how I came up with the idea of 121datingcoach.com. I was always setting my friends up anyway so I thought I’d make a living out of it.

“Be very proactive about where you want to be. Don’t sit around bitching about men. Say yes to invitations you might have said no to.” What’s the best break-up strategy? Some relationships have a course to run and when they are run you have to move on to something different. Look at where you are and where you want to be, devise a strategy to increase your dating success. That’s where I come in. What specific tips would you give women who want to attract a better calibre of man? There are so many things. The typical thing is to go and have a haircut. If you have been in a violent relationship or had a bad breakup, go and see a professional councillor. As a phoenix, you sometimes need to dwell in the ashes before you can rise again. When you’re ready, be very proactive about where you want to be. Don’t sit around with your mates bitching about men. Say yes to invitations you might have said no to. Also, decide to be happy NOW, not WHEN you find a boyfriend. If you are

happy you are so much more attractive. I have just written a book on internet dating. The internet is a great resource. You have a massive choice as a woman based in London, you’re in the biggest singles pool in Europe! Do you have anything specific to say to the women amongst the curvy community who are looking for a man? Get out there because men love curves! Men love the soft bits and don’t want to cuddle up with a toast rack. Well, that told me. Time to stop moping. I’m off to check my internet dating profile . . . Bryony is happy to take your own dating questions, which you can submit to her via www.121datingcoach.com

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EVOLVE CONTENTS lus The P

e b o t How t n e d fi n o C y v r u C d n a IN SPRING 2010, AN ADVERTISEMENT FOR UNDERWEAR featuring Amazonian vision of gorgeousness Ashley Graham was banned from prime time television for being ‘too sexy’. Yet, the very same prime time slot showed adverts for Victoria’s Secret featuring much more slender models in equally revealing garb. Rather than persecuting curvaceous women, the standards authorities were sending out a very clear message: Voluptuous is dangerously attractive. We know this to be true. Men are constantly and, to a certain extent, fruitlessly trying to convince us that they, as Mark Darcy says in Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, they have ‘a rather high regard for our wobbly bits’. However, with a lot of ground yet to cover in the beauty revolution, the notion seems to prevail amongst women that skinny is a fast track to sexy. In May 2010, Anna Richardson’s Sex Education Show filmed an Evolve casting at Pearl Bar in a bid to prove that full figured women can enjoy a varied and active love life. In the same spirit, I interviewed two gorgeous plus size ladies and an expert in the field of romance, and asked them for the secret to being confident both in and out of the bedroom.

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The Expert ‘The British Des O’Connor describes himself as rkshops all Hitch’, conducting seminars and wo races how to over London teaching women of all more about attract their perfect match. Find out him at: www. desoconnors.com e a different E: Do you think plus size women hav n? attitude to love than smaller wome ere they have wh and D: This depends on their beliefs elves then their come from, if they truly love thems men who are attitude would be the same as all wo tinues to focus whole within themselves. If she con men then this will that she is “different” to smaller wo to relationships have a damaging effect on outlook ate in personal in general, these women must particip ardless of their size. development on a regular basis reg etc. The same applies to “slim” women

Jamil Kali is an image consultant, specialising in curvaceous women and big and tall men. She also model s. She’s from Philadelphia, USA.

E: What makes you sexy? and comfortable in J: Being intelligent, down-to-earth my own skin. naked? E. Do you feel comfortable getting my curves. J: Yes very much so. I’m in love with curvy ladies E: What advice would you give to room? wanting to feel confident in the bed a confident J: Sexy is a way of thinking. Sexy is take the time to attitude. Practice makes perfect so e with it. Look at get to know your body and fall in lov ed daily. Don’t yourself in the mirror completely nak simply parts that consider “imperfections” as flaws but pilates, or any make you unique. Dance, do yoga or Take the time to activity that gets your body going. ture. Wear sexy feel your skin and appreciate the tex it! Just pretend lingerie and lastly fake it til you make ’ll get used to to feel confident and after a while you feeling good about yourself. ut your body? E. What does your fiancee love abo my skintone. J: My eyes, My hourglass shape and

Miss K is a singer/songwriter and Plus Size Model from London. You can read her blog at: www.misskmusic.blogspot.com E: What dress size are you? K: I am CURVACEOUS size 16/18. confident in the E: Would you describe yourself as bedroom? n i do not feel that K: Yes , I surely am. As a curvy wome uld stop you having curves or voluptuous figure sho m...I would actually from being confident in the bedroo st guys would go think the contrary... I think in bed mo for the full figure kinda’ girls. r body? E: What is your favourite part of you stly I am thankful K: I love everything about it, but mo and very thankful for my cleavage (thanks God is real) for my pretty face. ract from E: What sort of attention do you att the opposite sex? I do, and trust K: A sexual one! Yes, for some reason y I dress, it’s just me it has nothing to do with the wa the effects they what I exude. I believe in stars and also n of Venus and have on you. I was born under the sig suality, sexuality, Venus is the Roman Goddess of sen adornment, art and creativity, pleasure, personal that says it all. affection and loving relationships. So

s are men E: In your experience, what qualitie looking for in a woman? eeds to look D: Men are very visual so the women n out what attractive and men love women to find very simple to they love and give it to them. Men are n and sex does play what we want as compared to wome a man and stroking a large part. Allowing the man to be the little things we his ego and showing appreciation for lecting you from do, like changing the light bulb or col reciated and work, taking you out. Once we feel app e back as we are acknowledge we can then give you lov n miss this out and receiving it from you. So many wome ated. treat men the way they want to be tre ke herself feel sexy? E: What tricks can a woman use to ma is, read self D: Work on herself on a continious bas and wearing sexy help books, focus on loving herself and tell herself clothes, especially underwear, shoes sexy today showing positive sexy affirmations “I looked n were looking at my cleavage, I loved the way the me and white shoes as me I felt so sexy” I love these black I walk, I love that I have a sexy spring in my step when feeling as it makes me feel sexy. etc r opinion? E: What makes a woman sexy in you with loving your D: Sexy comes within and is linked arrogant with true self and being confident but not and conducts it. The way a woman dresses, speaks lock is not a herself are also important. Sandra Bul appeal. model looking woman but she has sex

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‘I am proud of who I am

Angie Le Mar Interview by Karla Williams

ngie Le Mar needs no introduction. The first lady of Black Comedy is also a writer, director and radio DJ whose dynamic live shows which regularly sell out 1,000-seater theatres. Her play The Brothers is a record breaking as it sold out its first run at The Hackney Empires Bullion Room and returned by popular demand to the Theatre’s 1200-seater Main Space, where it became the theatre’s fastest selling show in ten years. The award winning comic has made appearances on shows such as BBC’s Grumpy Old Women, Must Try Harder and The Real McCoy while also playing in the west end with The Vagina Monologues. The sharp, funny and above all stylish presenter recently took some time out to talk with Evolve Magazine about her recent play Do You Know Where Your Daughter is? and her forthcoming one women show at the Barbican.

First of all, you are a playwright, comic, radio presenter and director – which role do you enjoy the most? Ah ha! (Laughs) I go thorough different stages. In the beginning I was completely into stand-up and then when I was getting bored of stand-up I really wanted to create something and that’s when the writing thing came in. The directing thing came in when I was looking for a director and I thought ‘you know what let’s just do this myself ’. Radio came by default as well, I was just there at the station and said ‘I’d like to do this’ and they just gave me a job and I really enjoyed it. I just go through different stages when I really enjoy that thing for that time and...but there is no favourite. Your last play looked at the relationship between mother and daughter; what was it that inspired the play? It was a caller that I got on my Choice FM Radio show. A young girl called in and said that she had slept with her partner and then her boyfriend bought his friend in the room and he had sex with her too. Because there wasn’t a struggle, she wasn’t sure what was right and what was wrong – the boundaries

and if people don’t like that, actually I don’t care.’

those young girls who people had written off at school...and the one thing that kept me on the straight and narrow was my parents and also drama....We can turn our lives around at any given time and I want young people to feel as if they can do that.

where kind of blurred – and she asked me if it was rape and I said it was. I said to talk to her mum about it and she said she can’t talk to her mum because she thinks she’s a tramp and it just inspired me because somewhere out there, there is a mother who doesn’t know that their daughter has called me to say she has been raped. So I wanted to use my skills as a writer/director to get young girls together, write this play...and have this discussion through theatre.

Now you’re coming back to stand-up this September with a one woman show at the Barbican. What can we expect from the show? It’s me celebrating 25 years and coming back to stand-up after going all the way round the entertainment world. ––I want to celebrate 25 years against the odds and people saying that I wouldn’t amount to nothing – well here we are still standing!...I’m also going to Atlanta in November where I start touring it there; so here’s to the next 25 years.

The play talks a lot about empowering young women and raising your self esteem, why is that such an important issue to you? It comes from the fact that my background is a social worker...and I feel stronger about empowering young women because that is where I am coming from. So it has always been a passion to get them or help them to be the best that they can be and I think that anytime you are in a position, we are meant to find people who we can help to push them forward – that’s just a matter of fact for me. I like to see young people who think that they can’t do something turn it around and become that, because I was one of

Finally, Evolve’s motto is ‘Be Proud...Be You’, how does that apply to Angie Le Mar? It applies really from the point of what my parents have instilled in me; confidence in where you’re coming from and the belief in yourself. When people right you off, you don’t have to sign that contract. I didn’t believe my teachers because my parents were telling me that I was great and they would always give me that self esteem and confidence. So I am proud of who I am and if people don’t like that, I don’t disrespect them and say I don’t care, but actually I don’t care - I feel good about myself and I am being the best that I can be. n

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‘It’s a celebration of women back when sexy was curvy and to be stick thin was unheard of’

A DIFFERENT KIND OF

STRIP TEASE W By Karla Williams

hen you think about the term strip tease what instantly comes to mind? If you are anything like me than images of poles, long blond hair and plastic hooker heels are soon conjured up combined with female bodies that, more often than not, have been nipped and tucked in all the right places. But the Voix de Ville troupe are aiming to change that with their weekly burlesque and cabaret nights that take place at Proud Cabaret in London. Modelled on a 1920’s speakeasy, Proud Cabaret is an elegant new City destination which offers fine dining and entertainment in surroundings that exude the illicit glamour of a bygone era. ‘It is everything that cabaret and burlesque enthrals,’ remarks Amy Brogan, cabaret promotions manager and one of the main forces behind Voix de Ville. ‘It is a celebration of cabaret and burlesque and comedy and drama and music and swing and all kinds of things; it’s a bit of a mix bag.’ Having only begun in June this year a diverse collection of burlesque dancers, jazz singers, and even retro bands take to the Proud Cabaret stage every Friday night to give the audience a taste of entertainment direct from the 1950’s. But one of the main differences between Voix de Ville and

a regular night out at your typical gentleman’s club is the size and shape of the women before you, as their burlesque dancers embraces the female form whatever its size. ‘With burlesque there is no set look, it kind of is what it is,’ explains Amy, ‘I’ve seen girls with big boobs, I’ve seen girls with small boobs; it’s just a celebration of women and that style from the 1950’s when back then sexy was curvy and to be stick thin wasn’t kind of heard of.’ Also often making a regular appearance at the Friday night meetings is jazz singer and recording artist Kai Hoffman. Hailing originally from the beautiful coast of south-eastern Massachusetts, Kai has also been resident since 2008 at Ronnie Scott’s, one of the oldest jazz clubs in the world, with her fabulous swing and jump jive band, Kai’s Cats. She also appreciates the diversity that can be found within the burlesque scene and it’s all inclusive approach when it comes to sexiness and beauty. ‘Burlesque is all about showing off

the female form to its best advantage’, she exclaims with a combination of pride and satisfaction. ‘With burlesque and its sexiness it is about how you act with what you’ve been given no matter what shape you are’. And how does Voix de Ville fit with our own motto of ‘Be Proud...Be You?’ ‘With our dancers, you get three a night and they come in and they do their own thing’, finishes off Amy, ‘we don’t have a say in what they do or what their dance is, they creatively come up with their own style and personality; which is exactly be proud and be you. I think that the Voix de Ville is exactly what that quote says because we encourage dancers to be creative’. n Voix de Ville performs at Proud Cabaret every Friday from 8.30pm. For more information about Voix de Ville and Proud Cabaret please visit the website www.proudcabaret.com

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e lik I . ts c e sp a y n a m f o n a m o w ‘I am a o ls a I t u b x o -B X e lik I ll, a tb o fo g playin one’ d ils a n y m d n a ir a h y m g in tt e like g

Lady Lush Interview by Natasha Devon

kay, so I’ll admit it, before meeting her, I was a little bit scared of Lady Lush. But as it turns out, whilst there is an element of her naturally rebellious and carefree nature in her sta ge persona, offsta ge she is bubbly, cute as a button and impossible not to warm to. It’s not just Lush’s friendly persona that’s taken me by surprise, it’s her performance too. As she leaps onto the sta ge at JJ’s Soul Shack, clad in blingtastic urban get-up, you could be forgiven for thinking you’ve seen rappers like this before - but you’d be wrong. As I catch up with the diminutive starlet in the VIP area, it’s clear she hasn’t let the adoration of her audience go to her head. I begin by asking her about her motto: Don’t be Afraid to be Different, which is remarkably similar to the Evolve ethos of, Be Proud, Be You. ‘I say, don’t

cultures and learn. I didn’t stick to be afraid to be different, because R n B, I enjoy everything I do.’ e hav to like ’t don I le, mp for exa There are exciting things on pretty long hair but I don’t judge iable . the horizon for this hugely am people who do have it’, she replies lady and I get the impression ‘There are so many people out e t, that she is on the cusp of genuin no y’re the at wh be to ing try re the greatness. ‘I’ll be touring with A and at the end of the day that’s R Rahman soon. I’ll be going to not going to make you happy. I am Paris, Norway, all over Europe’, a woman of many aspects. I like she replied when I ask her what but ox X-B like I ll, tba foo g yin pla she’ll be doing next. ‘There’s an I also like getting my hair and my album and Hollywood film in nails done. Don’t be afraid to stand the pipeline; I’ll feature in the out and just be yourself.’ soundtrack and star in it. There Having toured all over the aren’t enough hours in the day, but World, her travels have taken her I do love to work!’ everywhere from Sierra Leone to Before our time is up I can’t e wid the s ute rib att she and Sidney help inquiring if she was a bit of range of flavors in her sound (she a rebel at school, ‘I did used to describes as Hip-Pop) to having dance in my English classes, but remained open to the influences other than that I was a ver y, ver y t no ‘I’m . sic mu rld Wo nt ere of diff good student’, she says with a afraid to be different! I rapped int r smile. ‘I am a rebel from the po over Indian music when I was ove w that that I say what I think vie of ing eth som k too ‘I s. add there,’ she and I’m not scared to express my d pte ada and e tur cul ry eve m fro opinion but I’ve only ever been in myself to what they were doing, n a fight once!’ I’m not afraid to take in other

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‘Drop 2 Dress Sizes? No Thanks.’ Natasha Devon talks to Ruth Rogers of Body Gossip

MONGST THE COMMUNITY OF PEOPLE CAMPAIGNING TO CHANGE PERCEPTIONS OF BEAUTY, RUTH ROGERS IS A LEGEND. In 2006, she singlehandedly founded the Body Gossip © campaign, working tirelessly, full time and unpaid for two years to break the conspiracy of silence surrounding body image and allow real people’s body stories to be heard. Today she heads up a similarly dedicated team of Body Gossipers with her campaign being endorsed by a host of celebrities (including Natalie Cassidy, Shobna Gulati and Zaraah Abrahams) and has included performances in the Capital and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Evolve Magazine managed to secure a slot in this incredibly busy lady’s schedule to find out more.

Ruth Rogers (left) with Clothes Show presenter Caryn Franklin

The idea for Body Gossip arose out of your own body story – Explain what happened. I spent the summer of 2006 in New York studying film acting at the NY Film Academy. I’d been in my new flat for literally half an hour when my landlord told me, ‘you could do with losing some weight’. So, I ate nothing but sushi and pineapple for a long time, and I lost weight and I enjoyed it…I returned home to my Mum’s amazing dinners, to drinks with my friends, the occasional takeaway, to normality, but I couldn’t forget how obsessed I’d become while in America and how I’d tried to be something I’m not… denying myself one of my favourite pastimes had become scarily addictive. What are the aims of the campaign? Body Gossip aims to support realistic and varied beauty. Too many people think that their bodies are not good enough and that therefore they are not good enough. I want to change that belief, to encourage acceptance, enjoyment and confidence in our bodies. I want people to think “This is what I look like, and I’m beautiful because I am ME!”. As an actress, is part of your mission about the recognition of talent more than looks in the entertainment industry? Yes, completely! Having spent nearly 10 years now as an actress and I have a fantasy where people are cast for their talent and suitability for a role, rather than their appearance. Of course looks do have to come into casting but at the moment, especially in film, it’s a bit too important to be skinny, fresh faced and shiny haired.

What kind of responses have you had to the performances? I’ve had nothing but positive responses. We have had a lot of people suffering from, or in recovery from, eating disorders coming to the live shows. A lot of them were prescribed the event by their doctor, as it’s such a cathartic experience. One winning writer came up to me at the end of the first performance and said that to see her story performed by a celebrity was the best thing that had ever happened to her. Finally, what does the future hold for Body Gossip? We are branching into the world of film! We are turning some of the stories into short films, which will be available to watch online. We’re at the Clothes Show live in June and the Secret Garden Party in July, where you can write a sentence about your body on a big white sofa; we already have 7 sofas covered in body gossip. n To find out more about Ruth’s incredible campaign, go to www.bodygossip.org

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‘My inspiration is that all women are beautiful if they only open their eyes to see it — We are a beautiful creation’

Rosie Mercado T

he fashion capital New York hosted a special fashion week this June. Not so surprising, there is a marathon of fashion shows each 6 months, but forget the army of ultra-skinny models. Full Figured Fashion Week offered a style and trends for all women wearing clothing with size label 14 and more. If you expected something boring and ordinary, you would be completely wrong. The New York Full Figured Fashion Week was elegant, chic and glamorous, also thanks to its face Ms. Rosie Mercado. This beautiful young lady from Las Vegas added more than a sparkling beauty to the event. We are really proud to bring you an exclusive interview with Rosie about her success and the world of modelling. How did you start your modelling career? I started with the Miss Plus America Competition it was great. I found my passion. This year you were the face of Full Figured Fashion Week in New York. Did you enter a competition or were you selected by organizers? I entered the competition and and thankfully got almost 2000 votes thanks to the people that really supported me and thanks to Ms. Gwen Devoe who made this opportunity possible with Full Figured Fashion Week 2010 it will always be a unforgettable experience. I also want to thank the wonderful sponsors for giving plus size women a chance to live a dream.

During the fashion week you had a chance to meet many designers, who is your most favourite one? I love Igigi because her designs are so elegant and feminine they really looked classy and beautiful and I love how powerful Ms. Yuliya’s voice is when she speaks about transforming lives thru actions and of course her designs she is a visionary!

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Modelling is a hard job which requires a lot of energy. How do you keep your curves fit and in condition? I think the best thing to do is get good rest before a photo shoot organization with what is needed for the shoot and excercising I love to walk and read great books to keep me going and focused! Your face is really stunning, American medias compare you to Jennifer Lopez. Have you ever thought about on loosing weight to boost your modelling career? I think my focus is more on excercising to have energy and feel good and eating more fruits and vegetables just because of the positive effects it has on my skin

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My inspiration that all women are beautiful if they only open there eyes to see it! We are a beautiful creation and just running into so many women that just didn’t really realize how beautiful they are was what inspired me to open Bellisima. Can you share some advice with our readers about self-confidence and looking and feeling great? I think being apreciative of each day loving yourself and focusing on goals that make you happy and using your talents to bless others helps you gain confidence it gives you peace and helps you find your way thru this world! Life is beautiful when you decide to see it that way!

but I think that great opportunities will come if I work hard and focus on my goals it doesn’t matter my weight! Modelling is not my only focus there is so much to be done in the world ! I am flattered that they would compare me to Jennifer Lopez never saw that coming! Did you ever feel major pressure to loose weight to land a certain job? Of course there is always pressure to loose weight for major jobs but the doors will open for bigger women we need representation for all sizes beauty does not come in one size beauty comes from within every women has the potential of being beautiful and that comes when you are self confident and most of all love your self when you start loving yourself everything falls into place!!!!!! Five years ago you started own beauty line Bellisima. What was the inspiration to create this project?

Evolve ethos is ‘Be Proud... Be You’ what makes you proud to be who you are? I am proud of being plus size women with talents and most of all the understanding at my age what my life is about and where I want to go .. I am proud to have the opportunity to spread a message to love yourself and live each day to the fullest. What’s next for you? I have a webshow launching August 2010 at myviewinglens.com I have a major photoshoot with Michaela Dalzell in August it’s going to bring some incredible talent together and of course I am planning on going back to school! Education is key to growth! n