Last issue, Prospere Magazine caught up with five of the finalists from the Plus Size Model Search.  Here are four more finalists, including the winner, Brittney Fisher.  NOTE:  Not all finalists chose to participate.

Brittney Fisher of Vernon, BC – WINNER:

Brittney has had a great deal of press since winning the search.  She has appeared on Breakfast Television and local cable programming as well as interviews with large publications, including, of course, Lou Lou magazine, which was a sponsor of the search.  She has also attended Lou Lou events across the country. 

How would Brittney want to change the fashion industry? “I have talked to some girls who are a size 14 and they ask me where to buy jeans, and they have never thought of going into a plus size store because of the word plus.  I would also like to see plus size spreads in magazines.  There have been one or two recently this summer, but I would love to see one every couple of months just to show plus size women different fashions and styles.”  Though Brittney has not had the chance, she would love to speak on the topic of body image.

Julia Pegg of Toronto, ON:

The feedback Julia has received since being chosen for the Top 10 has been very positive.  People find it very refreshing to see women who are not super thin getting recognition in the media.  Julia has also been approached by young women who tell her that they’ve been inspired and are no longer ashamed of their figures – they too can feel pretty and feminine.  No need to hide under guys’ clothing!

Julia would love to do more modelling, especially print work.  She has done some runway in the past, especially for Stephen Wong (Project Runway Canada alumnus).  She would also like to see more clothes available in larger sizes.

Cathy Iadinardi of Montreal, QC:

Being in the Top 10 has led to interview opportunities for Cathy, including one with the Montreal Gazette.  She has also received emails from colleagues, family and friends, who congratulate her on making the Top 10 – movements like this search makes people more confident about themselves.

In addition to wanting to change the fashion industry’s narrow look of what is considered “ideal,”  Cathy would one day love to start her own fashion magazine which is more intelligent – articles will be more along the lines of “How to love yourself, no matter what” rather than “How to lose 10 lb in 4 days.”  Cathy would also be a spokesmodel for eating disorders, self-esteem issues and promote a healthy outlook on beauty to “break the chain of unhealthy self-hatred.”

Liz Fawcett of St. Mary’s ON:

Liz entered the search because she was encouraged by her roommate – she had no idea what she was getting into.  However, since becoming a finalist, Liz has done some modelling for search sponsor, Pennington’s fall 2009 flyer.  In addition, Liz felt that the search has opened her eyes even more to what women in the world need – “encouragement and someone to talk them through those depressing moments when they question their worth and beauty because they don’t fit into a specific mould.”  She would love to speak with teens and young adults who are going through similar issues she did when she was younger.

Liz feels that everyone has some sort of struggle when it comes to fit, including her friends who are petite. “I think it’s just figuring out that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes and you need to be comfortable in your own skin.”