Good news, fabs! We’re re-introducing our Model Mondays. Every Monday, we’ll be bringing you amazing fabuPLUS humans who are part of our campaign.
Our first Model for Model Monday is Tiffany Walker!
Walker is a military veteran who served during 9/11 in the United States Air Force. She is a divorced mom of a soon to be 18yr old. This 37 yrs old scorpio has a A.A.S. degree in Information Technology with a minor in Computer Science/Networking.! Awesome! And she’s also one of our fabUffiliates!
“I have been modeling since 1996 in high school doing fashion shows which led to hair shows, print and plus size modeling in 2007,” says Tiffany. “I am a natural brand influencer so I have been doing a lot of that on the side.”
Instagram: @hippz82
About Being a Model
How did you get started as an influencer? What kind of content do you create, and what’s your main channel?
I would use Instagram and my content would be what ever the oportunity calls for.
What type of modeling do you do? How did you get started as a model? What’s an average work week like for you? I am interested in various modeling from commercial print to fashion and hair modeling. I would love to get into body painting. I am freelance so there aren’t any scheduling conflicts.
Q & A
fabUplus Magazine: Describe your personal style. What are some of your signature colors, styles, and accessories?
Tiffany Walker: My favorite “color” is white as it goes with everything just like my personality. Its clean and fun for me. I like fashion faux pas as I am a rebel sometimes. I love bling the more the merrier for me. Tiffany Blue is my favorite actual color.
fabUplus Magazine: What are some tips you’d like to share with aspiring influencers or models?
Tiffany Walker: Be true to yourself. Don’t sell your self worth for a dollar. Know your value as a model. Ask for what you want never settle. Invest in yourself as it takes money to make money. Write your goals out and stick to them. Network. Educate yourself.
fabUplus Magazine: If you could go back in time and give yourself advice as a little girl, what would you tell her?
Tiffany Walker: Don’t give of yourself to just anyone. I am a natural server as I love to serve others in any way from altruism to sex within my relationship. Don’t overcompensate to please others who aren’t deserving. Enjoy being a kid and look deep inside to find who you really are and be unapologetic about it.
fabUplus Magazine: For our readers who struggle with being comfortable in their own skin and wearing what they want, what are some practical things you would recommend they do to help them get to the level of confidence you have?
Tiffany Walker: Black is a safe color. Know your body and learn how to enhance certain things like your body shape. Look at yourself in the mirror in 360 degrees. Take yourself in and say affirmations to yourself that you believe that are positive. Try on lingerie. Try a boudoir shoot. Get a proper sized bra. Hire a stylist. Get a makeover. Try new patterns, trends. Invest in shapewear and shop in your size. Know your measurements. Don’t rush retail shopping especially thrifting. You will get frustrated. Shop in plus stores that cater to your size. Look for thing son sale. Invest in a tailor/seamstress.
fabUplus Magazine: What does life look like for you outside of blogging or modeling (day job, hobbies, family life, etc)?
Tiffany Walker: I am a computer professional and I volunteer alot. I run a non-profit here locally that caters to military veterans and their families. I am very hands on with my daughter and her education.
fabUplus Magazine: What does being an influencer or model mean to you? What do you hope it means to others?
Tiffany Walker: To me it means that I can express myself. I have a voice. I get to use my platform to do good with. To others: I hope that they see my grind, struggle and passion for this.
fabUplus Magazine: What are your goals and dreams as an influencer or model? What accomplishments are you most proud of? 
Tiffany Walker: I was in a major magazine for Black natural hairstyles. I auditioned for a major brand. Young girls who follow me have asked how they do what I do as I have inspired them. short term goal is to meet or surpass my daily marketing goal with a local brand. long term I want to create my own brand. My dream has always been to be a Jet Magazine beauty of the week. However, my dream is to just model until I am physically unable to. Starting a local agency would be nice too.
fabUplus Magazine: How have you seen the fashion, retail, or modeling industry change in the past decade – specifically with regards to diversity and inclusivity? What work still needs to be done?
Tiffany Walker: Although I have seen more inclusivity, I don’t feel that the right people are in the board room when ideas are finalized. The targeted consumers/audience you are trying to be inclusive to should be employed and have their seat at the table to have a say in what gets pushed. People with liquid gold to spend in the form of money need to start their own labels, etc. Instead of begging or hoping for inclusivity. Brands need to be honest with themselves to be more inclusive and encapsulate that instead of just trying to put a person of color on the commercial to get a quick buck.
fabUplus Magazine: What are some of your favorite shopping and styling tips?
Tiffany Walker: Shopping: don’t shop on an empty stomach. Carry ear pods so your hands are free to talk and shop. Learn what you like first before you take a friend. Give yourself the opportunity to shop without pressure from others. style tips: invest in must have closet items like an interview outfit, white blouse, little black dress, etc..
fabUplus Magazine: What does beauty mean to you?
Tiffany Walker: The elegance of a woman, the captivating features on a man, the way a dad loves on his kids, the way a wife loves on her husband, 2 people sharing a romantic kiss, the sky at night….and so much more.
fabUplus Magazine: How has your body image and self-esteem changed over the years?
Tiffany Walker:
Body image: I became plus size in my late 20’s. I was always height weight proportioned. So this was definitely a new life for me as I didn’t know how to shop. Everything I was used to I couldn’t fit anymore. It was frustrating. Luckily for me I became plus as te fashion industry changed. There was more body positivity and people who looked like me who spoke on behalf of me which then gave me the will to speak for me.
Self esteem: I wasn’t missing out on dates, lol I can tell you that much. Men love a woman with some meat on her bones as well. So my self esteem issue was really with myself and society “standards”. I was my own worse critic.
fabUplus Magazine: Which fashion brands and designers are leading the pack or doing something different and meaningful?
Tiffany Walker: Ashley Stewart is trailblazing the franchise industry. They have auditions and fashion shows, meet and greets to instore shopping parties.
fabUplus Magazine: From where do you draw inspiration for your work?
Tiffany Walker: The everyday plus woman. The woman who had a baby and gained a new plump body. The woman who went form working out twice a day in the military to being discharged after serving honorably to know longer having mandatory physical training and doesn’t know how to get back on track. The men who have significant others who look like me but don’t know how to shop so they look to me for whats trending. Little brown girls as representation matters.
fabUplus Magazine: What can readers expect next – do you have anything exciting you would like to share with us?
Tiffany Walker: I love to learn so even though I am not new to this industry I will forever be a student. Expect me to keep aspiring to inspire before I expire.
fabUplus Magazine: Do you have a message you want to leave with our readers?
Tiffany Walker: Be you and do you! Don’t look for an answer in society. What you think is cool someone else may think it’s weird and vice versa. Give others the same freedom and let them be them. They know what they look like when they step out, just as you. Fashion should be liberating not restrictive.