How is This a Plus-Sized Model?!

One of my favorite things about working in the news business is meeting all the people I have met. I have life-long friends across the world because of all the places I’ve been. I met Amanda at my first TV news stop, News 12 The Bronx. We started at the same time and clicked immediately. It was then, that I told her she should be a model. She didn’t listen to me, but a couple years later she listened to another TV colleague, went to an open casting at Wilhelmina Models, and was offered a contract on the spot.

Amanda is a plus-size model. In real life, she is not plus-size, but in model life she is plus-size. Still, every time I see a picture of Kate Upton I scream, “How is Amanda plus-size and Kate Upton is not?! Amanda is smaller than her!”

How in the world is Amanda considered a plus-size model?! Seriously, for this reason Kate Upton reminds me of Amanda. But, Amanda doesn’t think she is smaller than Kate Upton. This is what she said,

“Within the fashion industry, a size 0-4 is considered ‘straight size’ and a size 8-16 is considered “plus-size.” This is largely determined by the sample size of the clothing that is manufactured. As for Kate Upton specifically, she just happens to be very busty. My guess is that she is no bigger than a size 6, while I am a size 10-12. By industry standards, Kate is considered an ‘in betweenie.’ I do believe, however, that the terminology of being straight size, curvy, plus, in betweenie, etc. should be eradicated. At the end of the day, we’re all simply models.”

I haven’t seen Amanda in person in about eight years. But, I see her just about every time I go to Target, Macy’s, or TJ Maxx because she is all over the underwear! I remember when I mentioned modeling to her when we worked together she said, “I don’t want to live off celery and carrots.” And guess what, she isn’t… and she is a very successful underwear model.

Amanda says:

“I would say that there is a wide range of work for plus-size models, from high-end clothing lines (including brands like Ralph Lauren) to plus-only swimwear to mainstream lingerie brands (like Playtex, Olga, Vanity Fair and more.) Typically, the sample size for plus clothing is a size 12-14. Because I am a size 10-12, and have the correct measurements for most bra samples, I predominately work for underwear companies.”

Personally, I think the body shaming thing is annoying. I don’t mean the actual shaming and stupid comments from strangers on the internet. I mean talking about it… so here I am, talking about it. But who am I to weigh in. I’ll let Amanda tell you what she thinks about it… (and I love it!)

“I think the hardest thing about being in the fashion industry is that there is no “healthy size.” In order to have real success, clients either want you to be a size 0-4 or a size 10-16. I find that when I start eating healthy and exercising frequently, I tend to loose a bit of weight. This poses a difficult internal battle, forcing me to make a choice between my health and my career. Over time, I have learned that it’s all about making yourself happy. People will say what they want and label you in a way that feels comfortable to them, but the key is to know and love yourself unconditionally. Creating a shield against negativity is what allows true positivity and acceptance to shine through.”

When Amanda isn’t traveling the world modeling, she is also a small business owner (which I love!) Hatch Studios is a boutique co-working space and a genius idea – especially in a place like Los Angeles. It provides private offices, dedicated desks, and communal work areas. Imagine a flexible, creative office that values community engagement and camaraderie. That’s what she has created! Hatch Studios has also hosted events and small productions have been filmed there. Very cool!

I’m very proud of my plus-size model doing plus-size things.

These beautiful pictures are taken by Cheyenne Ellis, Victoria Janashvili, Heath Latter, Alain Mitchell, and Caitlin Mitchell.

Christina Nicholson is a former TV reporter turned public relations firm owner. After being on ‘the other side’ of news for so long and seeing what publicists did wrong, she decided to start her own firm, Media Maven, and do things the way she would’ve liked to see when she was a working journalist. She also blogs, does some on-air and event hosting as well as still photography. Christina lives in Florida with her husband and two young children. You can follow her blog Mascara Maven or follow on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

(Note from the Editor: Maybe we can’t all be models, but we can bling like one! There’s still time to get 10% off of the lowest cost, and highest quality fine jewelry around at Ice.com with COUPON CODE: MAMAPEDIA10.)