The Runway Diva Says. . . Is an online advice column for aspiring models. As a 20 year veteran of the fashion industry as a plus sized model, I have found in my travels that most aspiring models, no matter their size, don't have a clue of the tools needed to become a successful model. Hopefully, I can help make their journey a little easier. Please Email me your questions to ORIGRUNWAYDIVA@aol.com

Tuesday, September 05, 2006

Is A Size 12-14 A Plus Size????

Sharon

My name is Tammithee W. I was one of the contestants in Monique's New York 2007 Beauty contest. I was so very disappointed when I did not get the call to be one of the finalists. I am a size 12 and that makes me a full figured model. Even though I did not make it to the finals I was happy to have met you and Monique you two were down to earth. The reason that I am emailing you, is because I would appreciate it, if you could email me with some information on auditions on the lower plus sized models. I am a model at heart, I eat sleep dreaming of soon becoming a model. I have a saying, "ONE MUST BE AT THE RIGHT PLACE, AT THE RIGHT TIME" If you can find it in your heart to email me with info on lower sized plus models, I would be extremely grateful.

Thank You,

Tammithee W.


Hello Tamithee....

Forgive me but I thought this term was so funny to me...."Lower sized plus models". lol...is there really such a thing???

Seriously though, my heart goes out to you because of late I have seeing a backlash against the plus sized girls on smaller end of the spectrum. You're too big to be standard size models and too small to be a true plus sized model....it's really a catch-22 and a hard place to be right now. One of the most frequent statements that I get from my fans is "You're not Fat"....I don't even try to defend myself anymore....lol....(I KNOW how much weight I am carrying, I don't have to explain myself or my body to anyone.)

Your bigger sisters are not feeling you because you all (the 10,12 & even 14's) have dominated the industry for so long and now the bigger girls are finally getting a foot in the door and they have way less tolerance for the smaller girls right now.

The good news is....most agencies will still look at a 12 and if you can get a decent agent...you can still probably get a lot of catalog work and overseas (they still book the smaller girls frequently). I don't know what you look like and I don't know your "stats" so I really can't give you too much more info than that right now.

I hope that this serves as a good start for you....please let me know how you are coming along from time to time.

Letter from an aspiring plus model

HI SHARON,

JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW HOW MUCH I ENJOYED WORKING AND TALKING WITH YOU LAST SATURDAY AT THE "TROPICAL DIVAS" SHOW IN RICHMOND.

"YOU THE GURL !!" AND I WISH I COULD BE LIKE YOU WHEN I GROW UP

AS I TOLD YOU ON SATURDAY, I FEEL THAT I AM MUCH BETTER IN PRINT THAN ON THE RUNWAY AND THAT'S WHY I THINK IT'S BEST FOR ME TO PURSUE CATALOG AND PRINT WORK.

I HAVE ATTACHED A FEW OF MY PHOTOS FOR YOU TO CRITIQUE. I KNOW YOU WILL BE COMPLETELY HONEST AND CANDID AND BELIEVE ME, I WILL NOT TAKE IT PERSONALLY. BEING ON THIS PLANET FOR THE LAST 54 YRS HAS GIVEN ME A THICK SKIN AND I HAVE BEEN TOLD "NO - NO WAY" QUITE A FEW TIMES IN MY LIFE.

THESE PICTS I'M SENDING YOU ARE FROM MY PORTFOLIO, (WITH A FEW CANDID SHOTS THROWN IN) WHICH I KEEP UPDATED AT LEAST EVERY 6 MOS.

SO LET ME HAVE IT !!

HOPE TO WORK WITH YOU AGAIN SOON

Myra


Hello Myra....

Okay....here we go....I pretty much told you the bulk of my thoughts when we spoke in Richmond at the Tropical Divas Show. I have looked at your photos and the same critiques still apply.

You still have a long way to go as far as looking natural and youthful in your photos....if you are putting these or any photos in your "book" you need to spend the extra money to have your photos retouched. At 54 you have "lived life" quite a bit...lol...but you don't want that to come across in your photos.

As I told you before....start looking in the magazines and try to start emulating the sort of photos that you see there.

If you ever thought to seriously pursue something like this...I would go in the direction of "character" or "real people" modeling....doing commercials and print ads like The Pine Sol Lady...(Don't laugh...this chick is SO paid!!!!).

Anyway, I hope this helps you a bit.

Good luck to you.

Q

Finding a good body shaper/foundation

Miss Original Runway Diva,

I was on your website & I listened to the interview that you had with "Greene on the Scene". The tips you gave were very informative & helpful. Can you tell me, where can I find a good body shaper? I tried fredricks, but those are white girl girdles. I need something thats gonna hold me & give me shape & curve the hips and stomach!! any ideas??


Love ya


Hello!

Thanks for contacting me....Congratulations in knowing that a good foundation is an ABSOLUTE MUST!!!! for a plus sized gal! I am assuming that you are from New York City....if so there is a wonderful place in Harlem on 125th St between 5th & Lenox Avenues called "Lady Luv". They have excellent bras & foundations there. And the sales staff is very courteous and helpful....you shouldn't have a problem!

Good Luck and as always....let me know how it goes!

Q