The Denim Issue…
As the summer begins to slow down and the fall season is on the horizon we are excited about the denim trends we are wearing now and those we will be wearing soon. This month we will be walking you through Lane Bryant’s denim guide but first here are some of our favorite denim on our gorgeous cover models.
[divider] . [/divider]Victoria A Valenzuela
IG@LOOKSXTALU
FB @victoria.valenzuela
What made you decide to become a model?
I’ve always loved fashion and the little girl within said WHY NOT? Living with regrets is something I am not willing to live with. Our time here is short and the what-ifs just can’t be acceptable in my story. Once I became a mother. especially to a little girl, I want to tell her…. I wanted to, so I did!
What is one thing most people don’t know about you?
I am a hopeless romantic. Even after everything I have endured in my past relationships, I still believe in true love. I have faith that I am going to find, or better yet that it will find me, the love that gives butterflies and sweeps you off your feet. I believe in those walks to nowhere and conversations till the sun comes out.
Finish this sentence – the plus industry is…
__in need of more FULL FIGURED women and more alternative models. I feel like the plus industry still highlights 10s and 12s, still not displaying enough in-between. Also, forgetting that a tattooed woman isn’t less classy than a model that isn’t tatted.
Talk to us about balancing a career and motherhood… what is your best advice?
Don’t forget you’re a mother first. Use all the resources available to you as a mother and make them a priority. I am truly blessed with an amazing support system that allows me to do both.
Your favorite inspirational quote:
“The Latina in me is an ember that blazes forever.” Sonia Sotomayor
This stems from having a background where being Latina is a force that drives everything. My Abuela, with a third-grade education, came to New York and surpassed racism, hunger, and poverty. She later, with that third-grade education, became a certified cosmetologist right before her 40th birthday. Demonstrating to my mother and her sisters, ‘que con ganas se puede’. (translation: with passion, you can!)
[divider] . [/divider]
Grace Clark Delgado
thegraceclarkdelgado.com
IG @thegraceclarkdelgado
FB @thegraceclarkdelgado
What made you decide to become a model?
I originally moved to NYC to pursue acting, and in that process, I started being asked if I was a plus model, or had ever considered it. At the time, I was starting to discover the industry via Instagram, but I still didn’t think I was right for it. Don’t get me wrong, since I was little, modeling was on my radar, but it was just one of those unspoken things… it wasn’t for someone who looked like me, so I didn’t let the dream go any further. But by the time the 10th person or so asked me about modeling I thought, alright, I should at least try. I had always loved being in front of the camera so I began shooting more, utilizing my performance skills to learn myself in this new “model” role, and three years later, here I am!
What is one thing most people don’t know about you?
Most people don’t know that my very first dream job growing up was to be a fashion designer! I was absolutely enamored with dresses & gowns, and for years I had notebooks full of sketches, binders of magazine clippings from awards season, and even started to make designs for my dolls on mini dress forms. As I grew up and transitioned my focus into performing, I feared that I’d lose my connection to fashion, but little did I know I’d end up back in the heart of the fashion industry, just now as the one modeling the gorgeous designs. And who knows, my mind still goes into design mode every now and then as I dream about things I’d love to wear. So that original dream job might just be a reality in my future.
Finish this sentence – the plus industry is…
Evolving. Even in my few years, there’s been so much development from industry leaders, brands coming and going, and more expansion into showing the true diversity of the community it aims to represent. The plus-size industry has had to fight for so long for a seat at the table, and thanks to so many before us, it holds a serious spot in mainstream media today. But the community this industry represents is not a monolith, it’s filled with all ages and backgrounds with all sorts of tastes, interests, and wants. We just all happen to be plus-size. So for the industry specifically, I hope to see progress on all sides of giving plus-size folks what they really want, not just what’s available.
As someone who works in front and behind the camera, what is your best advice for aspiring models and/or content creators?
I’m a firm believer in the fact that there’s always something more to learn. After spending so much time in front of the camera, going behind it opened up my eyes to a whole new understanding of modeling. Whether you’re a model or content creator, your ego can play a huge role when it’s your face on the line with every photo. That’s totally normal but can also have you losing out on the actual art itself. My biggest piece of advice would be, don’t let yourself lose the magic of creating. Explore, find your personal style, get behind the camera with a friend and discover new angles that you love, put your art director hat on and make that dream editorial shoot happen. If you ever find yourself saying, “Ugh, I don’t want to shoot” (and I’ve been there), it’s time to find some new inspiration.
Your favorite inspirational quote:
“When you believe in yourself, you give wings to your dreams.” – Unknown
This is a quote I’ve loved since I was a little girl. It’s been a constant inspiration because it never fails to remind me that so much of your success comes from your own belief in yourself. You simply cannot rely on others to believe in you and your talents more than you already do. If they do, that’s amazing. But that affirmation can come and go so quickly, you must be resolute in your own, no matter what. Then, that is in fact what gives wings to your dreams, and makes them a reality.
[divider] . [/divider]Kengie Smith
IG: @kengiesmith
What made you decide to become a model?
Honestly being a model was not on my radar. I participated in a contest where they would perform makeovers on 7 women and once the pictures were posted on social media a modeling agency contacted me and signed me, so I owned and fell in love with it.
What is one thing most people don’t know about you?
I am an only child.
Finish this sentence – the plus industry is…
…Evolving.
Talk to us about balancing a career and motherhood… what is your best advice?
My best advice would be to find your village, you definitely need one to make it work.
Your favorite inspirational quote:
Self Love is the Best Love… I truly believe and live by it.
Clothing
Lane Bryant
Makeup and Hair
Christian Briceno
Stylist
Meaghan O’Connor
Produced by
Maddy Jones