Cynthia Cheng

It’s been more than six months since we last met with the finalists of the plus size model search held by Penningtons, Additional Elle and Lou Lou magazine.  So what have they been up to, and how have their communities reacted to their being picked? Prospere Magazine recently played catch-up with them to see where they are since last Fashion Week when the winner was announced.  In this post, we speak with five of the finalists, including the People’s Choice winner.  The remaining five, including winner Brittney Fisher, will be posted in our next issue.

Jenny Smith of Burlington, ON:

Since being a finalist, Jenny has appeared in the Burlington Post and has had some work opportunities with Pennington’s, another search sponsor.  Jenny did some modelling in her hometown of Winnipeg, but did not have contacts in Ontario.  The search has certainly helped her open doors.

Jenny on whether it’s easier for shorter, small-sized women or taller, plus-sized women when it comes to fashion: “People come in all shapes and sizes and we all have our struggles regardless. Life is what you make of it!!.”

Sonia Farquarson from Toronto, ON (People’s Choice winner):

Being the People’s Choice winner, Sonia has appeared on national television, including a segment modelling swimwear on ET Canada.  As an artist, being in the top 10 and the People’s Choice winner has allowed her to receive recognition for her artwork, giving her the opportunity to do more exhibits.  She was also featured in the Scotiabank Caribana Festival Guide, in an article called Limitless.

Sonia never thought that the contest would be huge – it did not really impact her until the weeks leading up to Fashion Week, when the finalists were given the royal treatment with limo rides, pampering and media coverage.   In addition, being the only black finalist has allowed people in her community to “see that no matter where we come from, the colour of our skin and how old we are, dreams can come true and you can be successful as long as you don’t give up on your dream.”

Zara Hemmings from Toronto, ON:

Zara has since signed with Specs Model Management, the agency involved with the search.  Since then, she has spent time in Montreal, preparing her portfolio as well as meeting with clients.  Along with the other finalists, she has appeared in the Fall 2009 campaign for Pennington’s. 

Zara feels that the search has made people more aware of the plus size modelling industry and that it is becoming more and more mainstream.  Perhaps this could lead to editorial and conceptual opportunities – Zara would love to do something fashion forward for a magazine, which can show that “plus girls can be sexy and edgy.”

Audrey Tremblay from Montreal, QC:

Ranging from appearances in LOULOU magazine and MXM campaigns, Audrey has had a great deal of opportunity since she was in the Top Ten.  She has even done some runway.  As a plus size woman, she hopes to be a role model and help women accept their size and show body diversity.

How would Audrey like to change the fashion industry? She would love to show that “plus size women can be pretty too — with curves — and that a full figured woman can love herself just the way she is. And I think we have to show all sizes, tall or small to represent all kind of women.”

Chantelle Thompson from Edmonton, AB:

Chantelle has had A LOT of media appearances since March.  The city has truly embraced her, and she been interviewed by city newspapers and has also appeared on Breakfast Television and had the opportunity to walk the runway of Edmonton Fashion Week, which included plus size fashion for the first time.

Chantelle feels that the fashion industry needs to re-evaluate itself when it comes to the demographic they’re targetting.  After all, over half the female population is size 12 or larger.  Therefore, it’s important to include these sizes in the mainstream.