Interview With PLUS Model Magazine Cover Model Chloe Marshall

Our January 2010 issue exploded when the Islington Girl editorial was unveiled featuring Chloe Marshall. We received an amazing amount of press and emails from people wanting to know more about this English beauty so we caught up with this inspiring young lady and brought her a little closer to her new fans.

Maddy: Much of who we are as young adults is determined by our experiences when we are growing up. How was the subject of body image addressed in your home?

Chloe: While I was growing up body image was addressed positively. I was a happy and healthy child.

Maddy: Have you always dreamed of being a model?

Chloe: When I was 15 I decided I wanted to be a model and signed with a Modeling Agency in London when I was 16. I entered the Miss Surrey Pageant because I wanted to show people that there is an alternative to the size zero conception of beauty. Entering the Pageant was amazing and I received a lot of positive press and also positive emails and letters from the public.

Maddy: In March 2008 you won the title of Miss Surrey. Tell me about entering to compete in a beauty pageant that was not specifically for plus size women.

Chloe: I’m so glad I entered the Miss England Pageant; I had the most amazing time ever! I met some wonderful people and made life long friendships. Everyone was really nice and supportive and I never felt like I was being judged by them for being bigger.

Maddy: Can you tell us about the pageant? How did the audience receive you?

Chloe: I love my curves and it is who I am. I felt very confident in the swimsuit round, I never looked at the other girls and thought they were better than me because they were skinny, I believe beauty comes in all shapes and sizes and also I love my body shape and every single curve! I wouldn’t change myself for anyone! I love being on stage and showing off! The audience went wild every time I came on – I felt like it was a dream, it was just out of this world, such an amazing feeling!

Maddy: After you won Miss Surrey, you moved on to compete for Miss England. The pressure must have been even greater; how did you prepare for the media attention and pressure that was coming your way?

Chloe: The media attention was full on and I just took it in my stride, I enjoyed every minute of it and just wanted to get my story out there; that you don’t have to be skinny to be beautiful! Just be yourself!

Maddy: In the end, you came in second place and received world wide recognition for your amazing beauty and determination to show that true beauty is not determined by the size you wear. Can you tell me about your life after Miss England?

Chloe: Since Miss England I have been involved with “Beat” which is an eating disorder charity here in England and “Body Gossip” which is a organization that promotes healthy body image. I have just signed a 3-year contract with Ford models New York and will be moving to New York this summer!

Maddy: This is great news!! I was looking through your website and I noticed many of your fans are young girls. What advice do you have for young girls who are struggling with self-esteem?

Chloe: I feel that young girls today have a hard time with self-esteem because of the unobtainable images that the media and fashion magazines thrust upon them. Airbrushing has a lot to answer for. My advice is to love who you are and except your natural shape because life is for living and not for calorie counting!

Maddy: You were in our January 2010 issue of PLUS as the Islington Girl and worked with Velvet d’Amour. The editorial took a life of it’s own and we received an amazing response from it. Can you tell us about your modeling career, working with Velvet on this amazing shoot and what your goals are in the modeling industry?

Chloe: I have to say that working with Velvet has been the highlight of my career so far. The shoot was amazing and completely different from anything else I have done so far, Velvet is a fantastic plus model/photographer and she inspired me to do fun posses and just to have fun with the camera!

Maddy: You are more than just a model and a title winner, you’ve become a spokesperson for positive body image movement to women of all ages. What other projects are you currently involved with?

Chloe: My goals for the future are to become the Top Plus Size Model World Wide and to keep showing people that curvy is gorgeous and the way forward!

Follow Chloe Marshall on IG @chloemarshall01