Alabama Valentine  

Curvy Model 

Body Positive Radio Channel on Anchor 

plus model

Photography by: Jig Jitsu

I am a curvy model with dreams of making a positive impact on the world. I adore being in front of the camera and believe fashion, make-up, swimwear, activewear, lingerie and accessories are an art form!  I am so proud of my curvy figure and I have a very positive outlook on life! Plus, I walk beautifully in heels!  

I have done underwater photography with Reynoso Photography, walked in multiple plus fashion shows, done many shoots for Xehar Curvy & was on the June 2017 cover of Courbee Revolucion Magazine. Also, below is a link for one of three Facebook mini commercials I did for Xehar Curvy, which is posted on their Facebook page which received over 26,000 views!  

plus model

Photography by: Jig Jitsu

 

Congratulations on all of your success as a plus size model. How did you get started modeling?  

I have always loved being photographed and in my 30’s I found myself up around 300 pounds. In order to reconnect with who I was and begin the journey of loving myself, I did a pinup style/boudoir photoshoot and remembered how much I loved the model/photographer relationship. I then opened an Instagram account and started posting photos from that shoot. During this process I found plussizecasting.com and got my first runway job with LA Fashion Showcase and my first paid modeling job with Xehar Curvy! And so it began!  

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

Being invited to be a full time, live behind the scenes fashion correspondent for Xehar Curvy has been my favorite experience thus far. It is an opportunity to meet amazing, like minded, body positive ladies that are trying to change both the fashion industry and teach other people how to be confident in their bodies! The thing I’m the most proud of is being selected for the June 2017 cover of Courbee Revolucion Magazine!  

plus model

Photography by: Jig Jitsu

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

I absolutely love modeling, posing and runway! I believe when you love something as much as I do, some of it comes naturally! However I also know from my experience being a division 1 volleyball player at Pepperdine University that practice, practice & more practice is the name of the game! I research models I look up to, gain inspiration from them and then use the mirror to make it my own! I practice in the mirror ALL THE TIME! 🙂 I also keep a full length mirror in my living room & I practice my runway walk multiple times a week! I love attending model bootcamp through LA Fashion Showcase! They provide me with coaching, skill refinement and they encourage me to be the best model I can possibly be!  

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

Mizz B., who owns LA Fashion Showcase, has been an extraordinary mentor for me! She taught me how to better my walk, encouraged me to take my modeling to the next level and cast me in my very first fashion show! She is really striving to get Plus Size models of all shapes, heights & sizes on the runway & I will always appreciate and admire her for that!   

plus model

Photography by: Jig Jitsu

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 am a big, tall beautiful woman! I’m 5’10, 200 pounds and a size 14/16 and very proud of it! My confidence, kindness and inner glow are characteristics I want to spread throughout the world! I want people to see me and say, if she can do it, I can do it! Whatever the “it” may be! I am physically fit, I work out and my size 14/16 Curvy body shape is beautiful! Most women are a size 12 and above so I want to represent those ladies in print, on the runway, in commercials & behind the scenes!  

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

My confidence journey has been a beautiful process. I was not always confident; it was something I had to learn! I really had to work on my inner self in order to learn how to glow from the inside out! That inner glow, started increasing my self esteem, which then grew into incredible confidence! Now I can do anything, I believe in myself & I walk into a room knowing I am secure and happy exactly the way I am today! I’m always working on being the best version of myself, so the inner work never ends, but my confidence has grown to a place where I rock what I’ve got and I’m loving it!  

For our readers who are interested in starting a plus size modeling career, what would you suggest are some tips for getting started?   

Sign up for plussizecasting.com or a similar website/app and go to as many castings as possible! There are agencies who have Plus Size divisions that you can contact about getting signed, but you must get a comp card created! Take pictures of yourself, start a body positive Instagram page, practice your posing at home, define what type of model you want to be and then go for it! Also Xehar Curvy has huge events where new plus size models can network, meet other plus size models and get connected to the body Positive community!  

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?   

You will catch me in plus swimwear! I live in Southern California, so on my off days I hang out around the house in cut off shorts, plus size bikinis, concerts t’shirts & thin, zip up hooded band sweatshirts & rocket dogs flip flops! My fashion sense is dressy, stylish, a tad trendy, fun, sexy, bold, fierce & I’m just unapologetically me! 🙂 My fashion sense has evolved through modeling mostly because I now know about so many more Plus Size options available so I have more opportunity to wear what I love!  

plus model

Photography by: Jig Jitsu

What are some of your favorite places to shop your style?  

I love the plus fashions from Xehar Curvy, Torrid, Lane Bryant, Gyvmebody, Swimsuitsforall, Forever 21 Plus, and Boughiecurves….to name a few! :)  

What does life look like outside of the modeling world?  

 I love music, movies, dancing, spending time with family, laughing with friends & fabulous food! You’ll see me at a variety of concerts! I love almost all music; country music, pop, 80’s rock & roll, 90’s hip hop, some classical, jazz, and some house! Music just puts a smile on my face and I can’t live without it! I also love to go to the movies! I love dramas, super hero movies, Star Wars, Transformers, Romance, Suspense, Popcorn, Slurpee’s, Peanut M&M’s & Animation!  

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

 Love you! Be you! Rock what you got! Take the high road…find the lesson and dance like nobody’s watching! Laugh often, smile more & gift more than you take! Most importantly….have gratitude, be kind & stay humble!  

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Email: alabamavalentine@gmail.com 

Phone number: 805-452-5945 

 

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