Recently Glamour Magazine caused a riff in the world of fashion and body image perceptions by revealing a picture of “real size” model Lizzie Miller. Anansa Sims and other “real size” models were present during this ground breaking photo shoot so when I heard that Anansa along with other models that we could identify with were going to be in the November issue of Glamour Magazine, I made speaking with Anansa (daughter of trailblazing supermodel, Beverly Johnson) a priority. If the enthusiasm Anansa displayed during this interview is any indication of how great the photo shoot of the year was, we are definitely in for an empowering treat when the photos are revealed.
The recent photo of a nude Lizzie Miller in Glamour magazine has created quite the buzz. As a “real size” model whose been modeling for years, why do you feel the photo received such an overwhelming response?
I was actually on the shoot with Lizzie. Glamour hasn’t used my photo yet, but I’m hoping they will in the future. I think there was an overwhelming response, because people have been waiting are to see a woman that they can relate to. So often people see images of beauty portrayed in a size 2 or 4, which prevents women of other sizes from feeling good about themselves. I think it was a sigh of relief to see a woman with curves happy, healthy and beautiful. I’m not surprised at all with the response and I believe that this is just the beginning.
Do you think the joyful noise heard by so many women will prompt corporations to pay more attention to women considered “plus size”?
Absolutely! I think we are headed in a positive direction, but it’s going to take time. If magazines like Glamour continue to show women of all sizes corporations will have no choice but to represent these women. The average size women in America today is a size 12-14. We are out shopping every day in stores that we’ve never seen ourselves represented in ads. We are the majority so it only makes since from a numbers standpoint that these corporations take notice and start representing these women in their advertisements. I applaud Glamour for stepping up to the plate and acknowledging us real size women. I’m so proud of all of the men and women who wrote into Glamour and shared their joy for them using a plus size model. We need people to continue to speak up, so that the corporations can see how hungry we are as a nation to see more women that they can relate too.
You participated in a photo shoot with other plus size models for Glamour magazine. Can you tell me something about that?
I was honored to be a part of the Glamour shoot, because of what it symbolized. There were several plus size models of all different shapes and ethnicities proudly showing there beautiful curvatious bodies. The shoot is ground breaking and it will help change the lives of women and young girls suffering from low self-esteem and body insecurities. It’s more than a photo shoot to me, it’s a movement. I’m proud to be able to break down doors and stereotypes.
What was that experience like?
The experience was awesome, because I know it will change lives of people in a positive way. When the shoot ended we celebrated like we won a championship and in a sense we did. I get emails and Facebook messages from men and women thanking me for representing something they can relate too, someone they see in the mirror and at work every day. Now with Glamour magazine behind us, we can reach so many more people. It’s a beautiful experience.
Courtesy of msn.com
Editor-In-Chief, Stephanie Penn-Danforth -- Daily Venus Diva.
[...] they bother to include more pictures of Plus Size women baring it all? Those of you who read my interview with model Anansa Sims, may recall her saying that the other models were present during the [...]