Mayra De Wilde, has the best head of hair I have seen for awhile, what curls!! She is a gorgeous plus model based in Holland.  I had to find out more about her and share it with you.

Why did you decide to pursue a career in the modeling industry?

I started modeling when I was nineteen. I didn’t really look at it as a career choice. At first I didn’t even see it as a job. Now I know better, haha! I just thought it would be a really cool and fun thing to do.

If you were not modeling what career path would you have taken and why?

I actually don’t model fulltime. I only work about once a month as a model. Of course I would like to work a lot more, but my size (16/18) isn’t very popular. Most clients seem to prefer size 12 models. Besides being a model I’m a freelance journalist for women’s magazines.

What is the perception of plus women in the Netherlands? How does it differ from the US?

Well, I think in the Netherlands we are always a bit behind. I have the feeling that the US is now in the middle of a plus size revolution. It will take time for The Netherlands and a lot of other countries in Europe to follow this example. I’m super excited about Vogue Curvy on vogue.it! It’s really amazing that a magazine like Italian Vogue makes a stand for curvy women. As a model I try to make a difference. I’m very lucky that my boyfriend is a photographer. Every now and than we shoot together and it’s always different and edgy. I hope that people will start to see that curvy can be just as fashionable as skinny!

Do you have a favorite clothing item for this spring season?

I’m still loving the strong shoulders. I know it’s a bit last season, but I can’t help it! I also really like flower prints at the moment. I’m used to wearing a lot of black but I’m experimenting with wearing more color. I’m currently in love with a powder colored tanktop from ‘The Garden Collection’ from H&M. I wear it with highwaisted skirts.

What sets you apart from the other plus size models?

The only thing I can think of is my curls! But I think I cannot really answer that question myself. There are a lot of gorgeous plus size models and I’m just happy and proud to have the chance to work as a model and hopefully make a difference and help women feel better about them selves. Feeling beautiful and self worthy doesn’t come with size. It’s really a state of mind.

V magazine was major news for all of us in the plus world.  What did you think of it?

Honestly I thought it was a very thin issue for a shape issue. I loved it, but I expected more from it. I would have liked to see an editorial with different sizes –without comparing it to each other like the shoot with Crystal Renn. And I missed articles about the subject of size in the fashion and magazine industry. But it was a great start and I’m looking forward to seeing much more.

What is your dream photoshoot?

I would love to do an editorial for the US Glamour. I love the look and feel of that magazine. I’m so happy to see that they really use plus size models regularly. It would be amazing to work for them.

If you would like to contact Mayra visit her facebook page & Hughes Models

Photos by Sempre Pui.

If your interested in being our next Fresh Face feature, send us your profession photos to info@madisonplus.com.

I am so happy that we are getting emails from up and coming plus models from all over the world. This is how we came across Anastasia Di Fino – a fabulous plus model from Italy.

Why did you decide to pursue a career in the modeling industry? Because I love my body and I like to be observed.

How do you think the media portrays plus size models today whereas a year ago? Are you finding acceptance increasing? Or decreasing? The acceptance is increasing, in fact there’s always some news now about the plus size world on magazines and TV.

Do you have a memorable photo shoot? Crazy outfits? Difficult poses?? Of course I have!! During a shoot, the photographer told me “ Stay in this position and don’t move”…I was crouched wearing high heels and it really hurt my legs!! Terrible!!

What is the acceptance like towards plus woman in Italy? Italy is synonymous of fashion that means skinny models…but now there’re growing up many plus size brands like Fiorella Rubino, Carla Ferroni, Lattementa and many more.

How do you prepare for a photoshoot? Oh, I have a relaxing shower, I put nail polish and then I go sleeping!! So my skin is more beautiful!!

What is your dream photoshoot? I’d like to do a urban style shooting, preferably in London!!

What is the must have fashion item that Italian girls are wearing this winter? Absolutely a pair of high heels shoes with double platform and hairbands!!

If you were not a plus model what would you be doing? I’m studying to become a management engineer!! Because I won’t be a model for the rest of my life!! Years pass!!

Always…study, because beauty must be complemented with intelligence.

Never…trust in other people but only in yourself.

If you would like to contact Anastasia, please visit her website.

If you would like to be featured as a Fresh Face, send us an email with your professional photos attached to info@madisonPlus.com

I came across Marcella on Facebook, her profile photo just grabbed my attention and I had to ask her if she would like to featured in our Fresh Face feature. So thrilled she said yes!

Why did you decide to pursue a career in the modeling industry?

I like to travel and experience something new every day, it is very exciting.  And…I love fashion and I love my body
So I am what I am and I will show thats what a real woman is !  A woman without curves…is she a woman?

What is your favorite clothing brand?  And which brand do you wish would do a plus size line?

Zara is a Spanish clothing brand, it is very sexy, stylish and the clothes hug my figure.  Its not very difficult  to shop and  find trendy figure-hugging clothes in my size 14.

I do wish that Desquard, Phillip Plein, D&G, Gucci and Cavalli would make a plus size line and I would love to see more from Victoria Secret !

Do you have a memorable photo shoot? Crazy outfits? Difficult poses??

Oh yes, my first Cover Shot! It was in Amsterdam.

The shoot took place in an old Museum, and I wore a long  evening dress, I was hanging on a chandelier it was very cool.

What designers and models do you look to for inspiration?

I  like the style of D&G, Desquard, Phillip Lim,Cavalli and Gucci.  I am drawn to and like the black and unique dresses.

Crystal Renn, I known here from the media. I think she does a good job and she is working hard to change the world of modeling, I am definitely behind her and will continue to support her.

What is the acceptance like towards plus woman in Gemany?

I think at the moment there is a change towards the acceptance of plus woman in Germany. Germany has been very open to the idea of plus woman, Germans do not believe that slim is the only thing that equals beautiful.

Its important that now that  the media is showing that woman can have more curves to their hips

What would you like the world to know about plus size models?

They love their body and they love representing the plus woman, you dont need to be slim to be a sexy woman!!

Finish the Sentence

Always…go shopping !!

Never…go out without style.

If you would like to contact Marcella please go to her agency EastWestModels

If you want to be considered for our fresh face feature, please submit your professional photos to info@madisonplus.com