Curvy Model Blogger Chantal Peterson!

Chantal Peterson is a curvy model Blogger from Santa Barbara, California. On her blog, The Grand Orange, she regularly shares her experiences as a curvy model, provides her readers with the latest news in the curvy fashion industry and gives a lot of food for thought… She considers herself as a “body love blogger” – if you want to find out what that means and how she learned to love and accept her body, you should definitely read on…

I had the great chance to interview a woman who radiates such a positive energy and whose words really made me thinking…

Discover her curvy world and be infected by her positive attitude!

Photo by Michelle Magdalena Maddox

ModelManagement: How did all begin for you? Has it always been your dream to become a model? What encouraged you to start writing your own blog posts?

Chantal Peterson: There is a specific quality of beauty that radiates from a person who loves and respects herself. This radiance emanates through the eyes, the skin, the voice – its more that physical beauty. An interest in modeling began for me once I started to see this radiance in myself, to love myself and accept my body in its unique and curvaceous shape. Confidence is an incredibly beautiful quality in a person. I have had an interest in modeling since I was a teenager, but the desire to pursue it professionally reemerged with the immense growth in demand for “plus-size” models (a term which actually refers to average size women) in the industry. The big shifts taking place in the fashion industry in this regard are what have inspired me to start my blog, The Grand Orange. I am very excited about the way perceptions of female beauty are changing and what it means for women in regards to their self-confidence and capacity for self-love.

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ModelManagement: Tell us more about your blog… What do you want your readers to take away from it?

Chantal Peterson: I struggled for years with my own body image, despite having always been told I was beautiful, and the insecurities I developed as a result held me back from exploring many relationships and experiences that I’d wished I had. After a long journey of self-inquiry and healing work, I have emerged from this process (always on-going!) as a woman empowered by true self love for my mind, body and spirit. The force of what I call Body Love inspired me to start the blog, The Grand Orange. My blog is a venue for all things Body Love: I talk about the new perceptions, trends and transformations taking place in society with regard to the way women, beauty and female sexuality are portrayed in the media, and in fashion specifically. I am very passionate about the growing numbers of fashion models who represent the diversity in body size and shape. I am interested in debunking the idea that thin=beautiful. I question if a standard blueprint for “beauty” exists at all! I hope that my blog inspired readers themselves to become interested in what the extraordinary power of a culture of women who love themselves and respect their bodies can do for our global society.

Photo by Bettina Norton

ModelManagement: How do the people around you, your family, friends and workmates react to your occupation? Do they support you?

Chantal Peterson: Everyone who has seen my website portfolio and read my blog has reacted very positively and with encouragement. People from all aspects of my life, family, friends, former colleagues, etc., have reached out to me to express their support for what I am doing as an advocate for women and as a curvy model. I think that young women in particular are hungry for female role models who are at ease within themselves and who are empowered with self respect and natural confidence.

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Photo by Bettina Norton

ModelManagement: What advantages do you find on being part of an online platform such as ModelManagement.com?

Chantal Peterson: Once I saw that plus size models were beginning to grace the covers of major fashion magazines, and that new designers where learning how to create great clothes for women with curves, I realized that there was huge growth potential in the entire industry. I became fascinated with the topic and could not stop myself from learning all I could. ModelManagement.com is one of the first resources I came upon in my research which allows models at all levels of experience to promote themselves and reach an international market without needing the representation of an agency. I think this is a novel and timely idea. More and more, people are gravitating toward independent marketing techniques. ModelManagement.com is a great example of this type of platform.

ModelManagement: Are you seeing an increase in work opportunities for curvy models?

Chantal Peterson: There are many plus size modeling agencies out there now as well as many new designers cropping up who cater specifically to curvy women, generally sizes 10 and up. We are also seeing many large name brands such as H&M and Ralph Lauren expanding their size range to include sizes 12 and up as well as using larger models in their advertising campaigns. (For example: Jennie Runk for H&M and Robin Lawley for Ralph Lauren). So, yes, work for curvy models is definitely on the rise! I have also seen plus modeling jobs on ModelManagement.com and always look into them and apply if it’s a fit.

Photo by Michelle Magdalena Maddox

ModelManagement: Have you experienced discrimination as curvy model and how are models like yourself treated by major brands and labels?

Chantal Peterson: I have received nothing but positive feedback from friends, family and the public. I am not represented by an agency, however, and so my reach and visibility is much smaller than that of some of the women who are making a living as plus-size models -and it is they who sometimes receive negative comments or discrimination by major labels (especially on the runway). I read a lot of interviews with some of the top women like Tara Lynn, Candice Huffine or Ashley Graham and they have all dealt with some negative commentary online and what not, but for the most part, fans love these models and feel incredibly uplifted and inspired by them. The public consensus is that these curvy models are gorgeous and their message is extremely important.

Photo by Bettina Norton

ModelManagement: Do you think curvy and healthy looking models will replace the size zero models in the future?

Chantal Peterson: I think its important to point out that all of the plus models I have heard from and read about say that that they simply refer to themselves as “models” and that the term “plus” is simply a label the industry still uses but which means little to them as women and as professionals. But by and large I see a positive trend in the industry as it opens its doors more and more to representing the full spectrum of female beauty out there. So I don’t think there is any reason to ask the industry to replace size zero models with size 12 models. After all, the whole point is to include models of ALL sizes, and certainly thin women should continue to be represented in fashion as well. That said, there is without a doubt and huge trend toward using more healthy-looking and full-figured models in fashion and media.

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Photo by Michelle Magdalena Maddox

ModelManagement: 3 fashion brands that should also design collections for curvy girls in future?

Chantal Peterson:I’d love to see Free People design for curvy women. I love their clothing! I love that Jean Paul Gaultier is one of the few high fashion designers who has begun incorporating plus-size models in his runway shows and who is actually making clothes in sizes 10 and up as well. In addition to clothing, I’d also love to see more options for sexy, well-made lingerie as well as super supportive comfortable sports bras and bikinis. Because it’s all about supporting and showing off the curves!

ModelManagement: 3 shops you love? Give our readers an insight into your favourite shops, maybe we can discover something new…

Chantal Peterson: Modcloth is an awesome website to find great clothing from independent designers, and they have a nice plus size section. Athleta makes great sportswear for women, including a few supportive sports bras that I like. Also, I haven’t tried Ashley Graham’s new lingerie line but I look forward to doing so.

Photo by Michelle Magdalena Maddox

ModelManagement: What would you like to be doing in 5 years from now?

Chantal Peterson: Five years from now, I would like to have my own publication and online retail venue which serves the dual purpose of providing great relevant content for women (and men!) to help empower them to love and accept their bodies as well as showcase fashion-forward products that work well for curvy women. I want to continue to grow the conversation about Body Love, healthy body image, plus size modeling and fashion equality. Eventually I’d like to design my own clothing line that caters to women of all sizes. As I mentioned, I’m particularly passionate about lingerie and swimwear since it is so hard to find great fitting pieces that look great. Women with curves have had to struggle and be extra creative to find great clothing that works. This is not because its hard to make bigger women look amazing, but because there have traditionally been so few brands which provide great options. I want to change that.