An Interview with Nichole Smith:
1/ Hello Nichole, tell us a little bit about you. What’s your background?
Well, let’s see. I am a 20 something originally from Metro Detroit now living in Chicago. I’ve been writing since I was very young, although that was mainly poetry and short stories back then. I’ve always had a dream that one day I will write for a fab fashion magazine in which I can inspire other women.
I’ve been working in retail for about 13-14 years! This is what drives my love for all things fashion. I love a great bargain and I’m definitely a frugalista; why pay more when you can pay less?
2/ How did you get started in the fashion industry?
Well, I’m not in the fashion industry per se, but I think my mini modeling career and fatshion blog have definitely helped strengthen my perspective of fashion. Since I’ve moved to Chicago, I get the chance to speak personally with some of the local fashion designers, mostly through casting calls.
I enjoy picking the brains of new talent to see where they’d like to take fashion and how they plan on getting to the next level.
3/ Tell us about your modeling career. What brands / retailers have you worked for?
I began modeling about 5 years ago. I did some testing with photographers around the midwest to get my name out there. I participated in local fashion shows, I was really willing to do almost anything to learn and dive in feet first. I stopped modeling for a while due to personal reasons, but once I moved to a bigger city, opprotunities presented themselves.
Currently, you can spot me on www.boutiquelarrieux.com, which is a fashion forward plus size boutique based out of Milwaukee. I am also one of the models for Chocolate Sushi Couture, a plus size clothing line out of Chicago.
You can also spot me in PLUS Model Mag TWICE this year! How exciting! I was featured as the plus model spotlight in February and now currently, you will see me in the Spotlight on Chocolate Sushi Couture editorial.
4/ Do you have a blog or a fan page?
You bet I do! I am currently working on taking my blog xoxo NikStar to the next level. xoxo NikStar is a blog about my daily ramblings on everything that is plus size fashion, beauty, life and love. I love blogging and I love connecting with my audience.
There are some posts that get personal and the encouragement that I get back from readers is amazing and sometimes beautifully overwhelming. And yes, I also have a fan page on facebook under xoxo NikStar. From there I post links not only to my blog but awesome reads from other fashion and beauty blogs.
5/ Can you tell us about PHAT magazine (http://phat-magazine.com/ ) ? What’s your role?
PHAT Magazine is going to be hot! PHAT Mag was created by Le’Ticia Fisher who was tired of seeing beautiful plus size beauties on featured in fashion magazines. Le’Ticia’s goal is to showcase larger fashion models while still talking about those subjects that you may see in Cosmopolitan or Glamour.
The magazine is fashion, life, love and beauty but with a plus size perspective. There will be great features using plus size models up to a size 20! Which is refreshing because you normally see size 12-16 plus models when features come around. There will also be a website. The site will be interactive with up to date blogs and live feeds ,industry info, fashion forcast etc.
People will be able to buy the magazine from the website only for the first 6 issues. As far as my role goes, I’m the online marketing director and promoter. My jobs is to make sure that you all know about the magazine and all the happenings!
6/ Do you think that 2010 is the year when plus size fashion is taken seriously?
I hope that 2010 is not only the year that plus size fashion is taken seriously, but also that the fashion realizes that women come in all shapes and sizes. Unless a woman is waif thin, female consumers prefer to see their potential clothing buys on women of real shapes and sizes.
Plus size women are fashionistas and consumers as well. I really hope that our stamp on fashion isn’t just a year long trend. Plus size fashion should be mainstream fashion. Large women need clothing too!
7/ One more thing?
I believe Alek Wek said it best when he said, “I have no problem with whatever the next big look is. Just don’t try to tell me that only one look is beautiful.“
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