Meet Plus Model Lydia Fixel…

Born in Florida and now residing in Los Angeles, plus model Lydia Fixel is crossing the curvy divide. You may have seen her as the gorgeous beauty on the HipsandCurves.com website, but Lydia is now a household icon in the Hispanic market! As the new face for the Fruit of the Loom Espanol “Fit for Me” campaign her ad is currently running in the Spanish version of People Magazine!

What a joy to sit down with this curvy beauty for a little Q&A…

[Maddy] How did you begin your modeling career?

[Lydia] Since I usually feel like it is still beginning, it’s hard to pinpoint how it really began… but to add to that, it has been a lifelong passion of mine.

[Maddy] How do you keep in model shape?

[Lydia] To start off I HATE the word “diet,” and attempt to avoid anything termed that at all costs but — hmmmm where to start other than that…

Athletics consumed me during my teenage years, I studied Exercise and Sport Sciences at the University of Florida and upon moving to LA, I was pursuing wrestling and boxing. Playing softball (and following baseball) consumed me when I was younger, and for some time boxing took over as my athletic passion after moving to LA (4 years ago).

My first jobs out here were front desk jobs in gyms, followed by becoming a certified personal trainer and spinning instructor. I quit working in these fields about two years ago to give my modeling and acting career my fulltime focus, but needless to say, working out is something that will forever be somewhat instilled within me.

I just approach it all a little differently these days. “Health” is my overall focus. Up until very recently in my life, for lack of a better phrase, I suffered from what is termed a “Sub-clinical eating disorder.” Moving past so many of my negative behaviors relating to this is a large part of my ever increasing passion to help spread size acceptance, promote general principles of health and be involved in whatever way possible to help promote self esteem and confidence within young girls and women. All of this, of course, is an addition to why I am so proud to be a plus size model.

[Maddy] What do you enjoy most about modeling?

[Lydia] I love the camera. I love being in front of it, and I love “telling a story” through a photographic image. As far as being a model, I absolutely love being a plus size model and promoting curves!

Somewhere along the way, fashion took such a drastic turn in the promotion of excessive skinniness and don’t even get me started on that subject, because I feel I could go on and on forever. Yet, I have a true love for fashion, and have always, always, always dreamed of being a part of it.

[Maddy] Where have we seen you modeling?

[Lydia] Up to this point, mostly lingerie. People tend to be familiar with both Dreamgirl lingerie and Hips and Curves.

I’ve worked quite a bit on live segments on Telemundo morning shows, and with local Los Angeles companies.

My Fruit of the Loom Espanol “Fit for Me” ad just came out (I’M SOOO EXCITED!!! Check out the June issue of “People en Espanol,” page 65) as well as a couple more “confidential” projects that should appear later this year. Most recently, I had the honor of modeling for a project for the genius photographer David LaChapelle.

[Maddy] Who are your favorite designers?

[Lydia] As far as I can remember, I have had a love and fascination with classic Hollywood glamour. I love designers such as Versace, Roberto Cavalli, Dolce and Gabbana and Diane von Furstenberg…

[Maddy] What is your personal sense of style when you’re not in front of the camera?

[Lydia] I LOVE clothes! I tend to gravitate to boutique-y
styles of clothing not quite so mainstream and anything with a touch of something a little different. Mostly though, I simply love to shop, and my goal is always to work with what works on my body and what works with my look, rather than going with something just because it seems a little trendy.

[Maddy] Is there anyone in the modeling industry that you admire? If so why?

[Lydia] Wow, so many, where to start? Any model, designer, photographer, writer that has made a name for him/herself, broke down some sort of barrier or stereotype, or carved out a solid career or niche for him/herself within the modeling and fashion industry… people that really go for their dreams and take
chances… some specific examples include Sophia Loren, Raquel Welch, Cybill Shepherd, Jennifer Lopez, Tyra Banks, Jean-Paul Gaultier, David LaChapelle and Oprah 🙂

Photographers Victoria Sprung, Stanley Debas