If you told me a year ago that I would be auditioning for one of the Plus Size Industry’s biggest events – I probably would have rolled my eyes and laughed at you! But, this past Saturday I had the opportunity to audition for Full Figured Fashion Week that takes place in New York this June.
This was the first time that Toronto was visited on the casting tour and boy was it a day that I will never forget! The audition was hosted at Your Big Sisters Closet located at 3126 Dundas Street West. It was really neat to have the audition there for a few reasons on a personal level. Your Big Sister’s Closet is actually where I got my start in this industry in February last year at their 1 year anniversary celebration. Not only that but I met Peter and Karen, the owners of the store and they have been such a large part of my journey in the industry and have been so supportive – I am forever grateful to them!
Although I’ve had quite a bit of runway experience over the last year including Caribbean Fashion Plus Week in Trinidad, the whole industry is still pretty new to me so to say I was nervous was an understatement. With that said, I went into this audition prepared. I practiced, I’ve tried to get as many opportunities as I could to get my practice on – whether runway shows or photo shoots or just practicing my walk in my living room. I sure hope my neighbours couldn’t see in my windows because I’m sure I looked like a diva walking around in my 5 inch heels in my own living room with music blaring – but you do what you gotta do. I went out looking for a dress that showed off my curves and chose an awesome black and white dress from Voluptuous (see pics below).
The week leading up to the auditions I got excited and I got more nervous and I set aside the night before to pamper myself, practice some more and it was exactly what I needed to finish the puzzle in getting prepared. I had a lot of support and prayers going into the audition and I’d like to thank each and every one of you who encouraged me, prayed for me, gave me tips and got me excited for this day.
The audition itself will mark one of my favourite days whether I’m selected or not. That is why I wanted to blog about it. In the past I’ve not announced that I was trying out for anything because I was fearful of what people would think if I didn’t get it. But, this day was just so impactful that I had to share and blog about it.
It just so happened that a lot of my friends and those I’ve met in the industry showed up at that same time to audition – it’s funny because we didn’t plan it but it was such an amazing moment before we all walked in together. We just talked about the event itself, how nervous we all were, built each other up and talked about regardless of making it or not that we should plan to attend the event together. It was such an amazing bonding moment. As much as the audition is essentially a competition it was nice to see that we all really want to see each other succeed.
I did my audition and gave it my best and I sure hope I get it but if I don’t…I know that it’s just not in the plan for me but I am excited to still go to the event and be a part of such an epic event! I got to meet THE Gwen DeVoe and Sharron Quinn and they were so sweet and so down to earth but man let me tell you – they carry themselves with such confidence that it is soooooo inspiring. They are women who know who they are! They have both been such role models to us in the industry and have paved the way for this industry to be where it is today.
Now let me share something with you that’s really been on my heart as I’ve been preparing for this audition ….I’ve always been a ‘bigger’ girl and that wasn’t always easy growing up. I was teased a lot, beat up by the boys and shed a lot of tears and just wished that I was skinny. I used to dream of being a model and being in pageants but I wanted to do that because I thought that would validate me and that was a sure sign that meant I was beautiful. I just wanted to be beautiful and I needed someone to tell me. But today, I stand before you a woman who knows her worth and that it’s not defined by the number I see on that scale. And that goes for you. You are beautiful in who you are – it’s not what you do, what you look like but in who you are. My reason for pursuing modeling now has a very different meaning….I do it because I’m a girly girl, I love getting dressed up, doing my hair and make up and I now walk confidently in who I am and I’m enjoying this wild ride. I’ve always been one to push myself when it comes to doing things I want to do – and this is no different. So I will keep going after my dreams and I will ask my heavenly father to keep guiding each step I take.
When I heard about Full Figured Fashion week holding auditions in Toronto, I almost decided not to do it, out of fear. Fear of being told no, fear of not being good enough. This audition was more than just an audition to me. It was a process of realizing how far I have come, a realization of the woman I am and that I have a dream and I’m going to go after it relentlessly and give my best in everything I do. Don’t ever let fear hold you back from your dreams. Work your little butt off (In my case my big butt) to reach for your dreams, if you don’t let anyone hold you back, why would you be the one holding yourself back?
Again, I want to thank all those who encouraged me, helped, gave me tips, built me up and believed in me. There are so many of you! I am so grateful.
Stay tuned and stay beautiful!
Check out some pics below from the day!
This was the first time that Toronto was visited on the casting tour and boy was it a day that I will never forget! The audition was hosted at Your Big Sisters Closet located at 3126 Dundas Street West. It was really neat to have the audition there for a few reasons on a personal level. Your Big Sister’s Closet is actually where I got my start in this industry in February last year at their 1 year anniversary celebration. Not only that but I met Peter and Karen, the owners of the store and they have been such a large part of my journey in the industry and have been so supportive – I am forever grateful to them!
Although I’ve had quite a bit of runway experience over the last year including Caribbean Fashion Plus Week in Trinidad, the whole industry is still pretty new to me so to say I was nervous was an understatement. With that said, I went into this audition prepared. I practiced, I’ve tried to get as many opportunities as I could to get my practice on – whether runway shows or photo shoots or just practicing my walk in my living room. I sure hope my neighbours couldn’t see in my windows because I’m sure I looked like a diva walking around in my 5 inch heels in my own living room with music blaring – but you do what you gotta do. I went out looking for a dress that showed off my curves and chose an awesome black and white dress from Voluptuous (see pics below).
The week leading up to the auditions I got excited and I got more nervous and I set aside the night before to pamper myself, practice some more and it was exactly what I needed to finish the puzzle in getting prepared. I had a lot of support and prayers going into the audition and I’d like to thank each and every one of you who encouraged me, prayed for me, gave me tips and got me excited for this day.
The audition itself will mark one of my favourite days whether I’m selected or not. That is why I wanted to blog about it. In the past I’ve not announced that I was trying out for anything because I was fearful of what people would think if I didn’t get it. But, this day was just so impactful that I had to share and blog about it.
It just so happened that a lot of my friends and those I’ve met in the industry showed up at that same time to audition – it’s funny because we didn’t plan it but it was such an amazing moment before we all walked in together. We just talked about the event itself, how nervous we all were, built each other up and talked about regardless of making it or not that we should plan to attend the event together. It was such an amazing bonding moment. As much as the audition is essentially a competition it was nice to see that we all really want to see each other succeed.
I did my audition and gave it my best and I sure hope I get it but if I don’t…I know that it’s just not in the plan for me but I am excited to still go to the event and be a part of such an epic event! I got to meet THE Gwen DeVoe and Sharron Quinn and they were so sweet and so down to earth but man let me tell you – they carry themselves with such confidence that it is soooooo inspiring. They are women who know who they are! They have both been such role models to us in the industry and have paved the way for this industry to be where it is today.
Now let me share something with you that’s really been on my heart as I’ve been preparing for this audition ….I’ve always been a ‘bigger’ girl and that wasn’t always easy growing up. I was teased a lot, beat up by the boys and shed a lot of tears and just wished that I was skinny. I used to dream of being a model and being in pageants but I wanted to do that because I thought that would validate me and that was a sure sign that meant I was beautiful. I just wanted to be beautiful and I needed someone to tell me. But today, I stand before you a woman who knows her worth and that it’s not defined by the number I see on that scale. And that goes for you. You are beautiful in who you are – it’s not what you do, what you look like but in who you are. My reason for pursuing modeling now has a very different meaning….I do it because I’m a girly girl, I love getting dressed up, doing my hair and make up and I now walk confidently in who I am and I’m enjoying this wild ride. I’ve always been one to push myself when it comes to doing things I want to do – and this is no different. So I will keep going after my dreams and I will ask my heavenly father to keep guiding each step I take.
When I heard about Full Figured Fashion week holding auditions in Toronto, I almost decided not to do it, out of fear. Fear of being told no, fear of not being good enough. This audition was more than just an audition to me. It was a process of realizing how far I have come, a realization of the woman I am and that I have a dream and I’m going to go after it relentlessly and give my best in everything I do. Don’t ever let fear hold you back from your dreams. Work your little butt off (In my case my big butt) to reach for your dreams, if you don’t let anyone hold you back, why would you be the one holding yourself back?
Again, I want to thank all those who encouraged me, helped, gave me tips, built me up and believed in me. There are so many of you! I am so grateful.
Stay tuned and stay beautiful!
Check out some pics below from the day!
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