Kelly Shibari: OK, so – you’ve written this ebook. What was the basis for it? Any particular reason you wanted to write a book specifically for the plus-size pinup community?
Vanessa Reece: Well when I first started as a plus-size model there was no real advice books for ladies my size. I didn’t really know how to get an agent, how best to build a portfolio and how to market myself as a plus-size model. Now after being a paid professional for a few years and having ladies ask me, ‘how do I get into modeling as a plus-size woman’ I thought it was high time I put my experience into one easy to understand book.
Kelly Shibari: Right. There are a lot of documentaries and TV shows about modeling, but plus-size seems to be this mysterious area that no one seems to know how to get into.
Vanessa Reece: Right and all the shows that are on TV tend not to get down to the core of how to really enjoy the camera when you’re plus-size. Mainstream media often depicts plus-size as 14-16 but actually you’ll find there is a lot of paid work out there for ladies larger than that. Plus these shows don’t go into marketing the model as a brand or as person. I chose pin-up because it is the most diverse and shows character and creativity. You’re not just a clothes horse when you’re a pin-up model.
Kelly Shibari: I was just going to ask that – I think the main companies out there, esp in the US, tend to stop at size 12/14 for plus sized, like Wilhemina and Ford’s plus-size divisions. Do you cover where larger ladies can go to submit their zed cards?
Vanessa Reece: I give a very interesting piece of advice in the book about agencies and which agencies I feel plus-size models do well in. Once you put yourself out their as a pin-up model, you then get people see you have character and have pictures that provoke thought and interest. This can lead to work within character modeling agencies and if you really want to take it further work on TV in commercials, TV shows and film. The world is your oyster but finding your niche and an agency that embraces that niche is hard work, but very rewarding once you join forces.
Kelly Shibari: You’ve worked in the UK as well as the US. Have you seen any differences in modeling work between the two?
Vanessa Reece: Yes I have. In the US there is a lot of interest in plus-size models in the fashion and reality TV areas. However in the UK it tends to be more to do with character modeling or ad campaigns. I’ve worked a lot in the UK as a character model in ad campaigns as well as the corporate film area. I sometimes wish the UK would have more fashion work but maybe one day that will come.
Kelly Shibari: Explain character modeling.
Vanessa Reece: Character modeling is very much geared toward of every day people you’d see on the street. For instance the agency I’m with in London is called Uglies, which is a bizarre name but it represents what some would call the outcasts of modeling. Big ladies and men, tattooed ladies and men, little people, old people. What’s beautiful about it is all of us make money by being ourselves. No diets, no covering tattoos. Just looking, ‘normal and every day,’ I tend to get booked as the buxom curvy vixen. HA! The agency have been going for years and the only one of its kind in the UK. They are the first port of call for people who want every day people to represent their product or be involved in their project.
Kelly Shibari: That’s wonderful! You’re right, the company name is a little odd, but it’s definitely something you can remember, which may be key.
Vanessa Reece: Yes this is something I talk about in the ebook. Branding. So important for a model of any size I feel.
Kelly Shibari: Do you think the attitude towards BBWs is different in the US compared to the UK? The media shows plus-size people in the US to be some of the biggest in the world.
Vanessa Reece: The UK is catching on fast to the fact we are all getting bigger. However the UK tends to have programs that are diverse in offering advice about weight loss and healthy eating as well as shows that are geared to women feeling comfortable in their skin. Here the word is ‘fat’ not BBW. Sometimes it’s used as a base descriptive words other times it’s used as a word of pure hate. I take it back as a work of empowerment personally. But yes, the UK is still behind on buzz words like BBW in the mainstream . Of course within the size acceptance community it is a used word. I’m not sure I like it to be honest.
Kelly Shibari: In the US, “fat” is really a derogatory term. Is it that way in the UK, or not as much?
Vanessa Reece: well it depends how it’s used. I mean for many years the N word was a derogatory term now it’s used by many black people as a term of endearment other times not. It always depends on the context. I made peace with myself a long time ago that fat was what I was. I have no shame and no regret and if I say I’m fat in a positive way to describe the way I love every inch of me it’s far better than someone to say it thinking they can insult me. If someone says I’m fat. I always say, yes and I love it, thanks for the positive comment. It leaves them speechless.
Kelly Shibari: Awesome! That’s like what I do with hate mail – I sometimes send them thank-you notes. Boggles their minds, haha!
Kelly Shibari: Here’s an interesting question, since I know that a lot of plus size girls that we both know are in the adult industry. Do you think that having been an adult performer hinders your chances to be a pinup, fashion, or commercial model?
Vanessa Reece: No I don’t think it matters at all. I know of lots of adult models who’ve crossed over to mainstream. But you know the key Kelly? The key to mainstream excepting the crossover is not to hide or lie about what you’ve done. Yes, there are certain mainstream plus-size magazine sites who don’t like the idea of putting an adult performer on their cover, but there are plenty of film makers, TV producers and fashion designers who want plus-size women with passion and fire and they are only to happy to embrace you as a person. I like to say that adult work is something you may do, it never defines who you are.
Kelly Shibari: Brilliant. I think that a lot of girls think that once they’ve gone that route (do adult) that it shuts and locks the door to mainstream work. It’s encouraging to think that it’s not the case!
Kelly Shibari: So…what’s next for you? Will you be mentoring girls going into modeling? I know you have a radio show, and you’ll be attending the BBW Bash in Las Vegas…
Vanessa Reece: Well for me I’m going to be pushing aspect of the eBook. I want ladies to know that modeling is not easy and they may not be rolling in cash. If they think that is is easy and they will be rolling in cash it’s the wrong job for them. I’ll be doing more podcasts and videos to highlight elements of the ebook. I will also be coaching a lot more in the future. Offering empowerment talks etc. I’m hoping to touch base with people at the BBW Bash in Vegas to really learn about how they feel about being plus-sized.
Vanessa Reece: Because I realise not everyone is as confident as I am.
Kelly Shibari: Yes, I agree. A lot of people think that by modeling it leads to instant fame, when in reality it’s a lot of hard work and luck regardless of size.
Vanessa Reece: Yes it is. I got my first break by luck but I have to say I’ve had a lot of heart ache and soul searching along the way. I learned some valuable lessons all of which are discussed in the eBook.
Kelly Shibari: I can’t wait to read it. So it’s launching on Sunday, July 12th…and only costs a whole dollar?
Vanessa Reece: Yes I priced it the same as an average can of cola. It’s ironic I know, but I thought hey for a can of cola you can learn something about an industry which is both fun, exciting and creatively rewarding.
Kelly Shibari: If there was any one bit of advice you could give to anyone contemplating getting into modeling, what would it be?
Vanessa Reece: Have the right attitude. That is the single most important thing. I see so many models with terrible attitudes to collegues and fans. It doesn’t do one any favors in the long run. Be proud by all means but also be thankful and humble because people don’t forget how they have been treated. There can never be enough thank you’s.
Kelly Shibari: That’s wonderful advice that everyone should remember at all times. Thanks, Vanessa – we look forward to seeing and hearing more from you
Vanessa Reece: Thank you Kelly. It’s always a pleasure to talk to you. I hope you and everyone else enjoys my ebook.