Meet Amelia! Our Monday Model.

Congratulations on all of your success as a Plus Size Model.  How did you get started modeling?

Thank you, I started out about 4 years ago, I have been building up slowly doing it in my spare time. My now boyfriend, Aaron, was a friend and being a photographer asked to take pictures of me. I wasn’t sure about it at first but I’ll give most things a go once so I did and after receiving the pictures back I instantly felt proud and stunned with how confident it made me feel. I still look back at those pictures and love them so much!

What has been your favourite experience thus far – the one you are most proud of?

I have many things I am proud of and many experiences from body painting to catwalk shows to being published in an art gallery. All of which I have thoroughly enjoyed and would absolutely love to carry on doing these things. I enjoy meeting new people and doing new things. I think my favourite experience has got to be the last shoot I had with Mozzey and Didi, we did a shoot to prove that all women are beautiful and there are no beauty standards as we’re all beautiful. I honestly felt like the sexiest person in the world after that shoot, I always have so much fun with those two! Mozzey is a fantastic Photographer and Didi is an incredible artist with her hair and makeup skills!

Just like any craft, there is a learning curve – how did you learn how to model – both print and runway if applicable?  

At first, it helps if you tell the Photographer that you’re new to modeling and they often guide you through the shoot. I definitely recommend researching poses from online and books, I find Pinterest a very helpful method of organizing different shoots, outfits, and poses. Runway is something that is difficult to master at first but the trick is to look confident even if you’re not. I remember my first catwalk, I really thought I was going to fall over! Always, always, always get shoes you know you can walk in, you won’t look good if you’re really struggling to walk. Often now, they do a model boot camp to help you warm up and to watch your walk, they give you tips on how to improve your walk to.

Did you have mentors or role models who helped and inspired you along the way?

My boyfriend has been a massive inspiration for me, without him I don’t think I’d be the model I am today. He has massively increased my body confidence and helped me to express myself. I have definitely got a lot of inspiration from alternative models such as Dita von Tease, Betty Page, Kat Von D, Marilyn Monroe; and of course, other curvy models such as Kelly Brooke and recently seen Iskra Lawrence.

All the curvy girls out there that need a voice has definitely inspired me! 

Drag has definitely influenced some of my later looks, going crazy with outfits, wigs, and eyelashes. So many amazing queen’s! RuPaul has been a massive inspiration for me, seeing the queen’s transformations on the show and after they have left Drag Race. One of my all-time favourite queens has to be Adore Delano, her inspiration to be different, be the rebel that we all want to be is incredible! Lady Gaga has influenced me and many others, she has set the bar for acceptance and independence; she is a true role model for anyone who needs to stand strong and needs to remember that they are not alone!

The Plus Size Industry has changed and continues to evolve – how do you think as a model you are able to help make an impact in how the world sees plus size women? 

I think I can show that there’s no exact definition of size, no one woman is the same and no matter what size you are, you’re sexy as hell! You don’t have to be pristine to be a model, I have tattoos, piercings and I often dye my hair different colours, people want to see real people show the world that we are individuals and we are proud!

You exude confidence with every step you take, were you always this confident?  Tell us a little bit about the journey to confidence.

I have definitely grown confidence with age and with time within the industry. It’s knowing that you’ve got to accept that sometimes people don’t want to work with you and that’s fine because you’ll always find someone else that does. The key is not letting people walk all over you, sometimes people don’t like the fact you won’t accept what they’ve said, challenge them anyway and if they don’t like it then they don’t understand you and that’s okay don’t worry.

For our readers who are interested in starting a plus model career, what would you suggest are some top tips to get started?

Stay safe is the biggest thing. Always take a chaperone with you if you haven’t met the Photographer before or check for references if they don’t do references run away as fast as you can that is not a respectable Photographer. Always know your limits, not every model wants to take her clothes off and that’s fine. People will often try to push your limits but if you’re not comfortable with doing something don’t do it until you’re ready and if you never want to then that’s okay. I found it helps to have a photographer you know that you can try new things with if you’re not sure about them and an agent can help guide you in the right direction as they have got experience knowing where you will be safe.

As a model you’ve had the opportunity to wear a variety of different styles, but what would we catch you in on an ‘off duty’ day?  What would you call your fashion sense and how has this evolved through your modeling career?

I always have been into vintage but as that can get quite pricey I don’t always wear my best vintage stuff day to day. You will catch me shopping looking all 50s occasionally but usually skinny jeans, converse, and a top is my style which is easier when I’m at university. I think it has evolved with time, I have discovered that red is absolutely my colour, so I usually end up in something red even if it is just my hair.

What are you some of your favourite places to shop for your style?

I love going to vintage shops to get that extra special item that no-one else has got, London, Manchester, and Liverpool are among my favourite place to shop for vintage and other styles of clothing. I love the clothes in a lot of high-street retailers but I do find myself ordering online for ease and for an easier choice of sizes which can be difficult for curvy women. I often team up with my mum and she makes dresses for me or helps me revamp old clothes, which is great for shoots when you don’t want to throw things away but want to go for something different; everything my mum makes is from recycled clothing and fabrics which is a great morel for me being Vegan.

What does life look for you outside of the modeling world? 

I am a cat lover, with one cat called Cookie, I am Vegan, love to travel and be creative. I am studying International Hospitality Management at University in the UK and I have a part-time job at a hotel. I also have a small cake business in the side as well as the modeling. So yes, you can eat cake and model, because who can resist cake?

Thank you for taking time to chat with us today!  What is one message you would like to leave with our readers today?

Aways remember no matter what anyone says, you, yes you! You are beautiful! Don’t let anyone get in the way of your dreams, we are all individual and unique and deserve our success. Not one of us is exactly the same, so don’t let the haters get you down. We must stand tall together and embrace our true beauty. And as RuPaul says, “If you can’t love yourself, how the hell you gonna love somebody else”. I did also write as part of the project “One size doesn’t fit all, no one’s body is the same, we are all perfect. X”

 

Website/Blog: https://purpleport.com/portfolio/ameliaryan
Facebook: Miss Mia
Twitter: Amelia93Ryan
Instagram: Amelia93Ryan
Crediting Photographers: Mozzey Photography, Aaron Pickett Photography
HMUA: Didi Bash MUA
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