Lizzi Miller Dishes To Us About What Needs To Change In The Plus Size Modeling Industry

It’s been over a year since Lizzi Miller, the smiling blonde with the little pooch belly, captivated what felt like the entire nation’s attention as “the woman on p. 194” in our September 2009 issue. So what’s she up to now?

We caught up with Lizzi to talk about how her career has changed since that little 3×3 photo was published, what she thinks about the current state of the plus size modeling industry, and how she’s using her visibility to do good with Curves for Change, a charitable organization created by several models from Wilhemina’s WCurve division (including Julie Henderson, Bernadett Vajda, and Leona Palmer) to “advocate and support charities that benefit the empowerment of all women, no matter their size, shape, culture, or income.”

STF: How exactly has your life/career changed since you became “the woman on p. 194”? Do you have any hesitations about being so well known for that one photo?LM: It’s been a snowball effect since that happened. Clients who weren’t using me before finally gave me the chance and I’ve gained many great clients now because of that. People have been flooding my inbox on Facebook with wonderful supportive comments , as well as personal stories. I feel like I’m really reaching out to people and the response has been amazing! I have no hesitations about being known for this photo, I’m proud! I’m so glad that women can see that photo and identify with it , and identify with me. That photo really struck a chord with people and I’m so glad it did.

STF: What do you make of the mainstream success that you and other plus size models are currently enjoying? Do you think designers embracing curvier models is just a passing fad [America’s Next Top Model winner Whitney Thompson does], or is it a sign that the fashion industry is finally making a change?

LM: I think that it’s about time! Women have always had different body types and it’s great that the fashion industry is starting to realize this. I think that fashion is always evolving and moving forward is a natural progression. I think that plus size modeling is that progression and I feel we all have been working more. Many clothing lines are expanding their sizes and therefore providing more work for curvy models.

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STF: How did Curves For Change come to be? What do you think would be the ultimate measure of its success?

LM: Curves for Change was originally created by Julie Henderson and Kate Dillon. They brought it to Wilhelmina and our board banded together to start planning. It’s taken a huge collaborative effort to make the launch party and the 5K run/walk [being held on November 20] come together, but it’s happening! I think the ultimate measure of success would be to have the WHOLE fashion industry come together for a few days a year and forget about the industry competition. For everyone to unite for a cause that’s bigger than all of us.

STF: Do you think there will be a day when the Wilhelmina W Curve division won’t even need to exist? When all models will just be models, regardless of size? Would you want to see that happen?

LM: I hope to see that happen. I think that the plus size industry is a growing industry and I hope that one day brands will look at ALL the girls for their ads, not just the girls on the straight size board.

STF: Would you call yourself “plus size”? Does it bother you that the fashion industry’s definition and the real world’s definition are two totally different things?

LM: I call myself healthy and athletic. I’ve always been an athletic girl and will never be stick thin. In the fashion industry I’m considered plus size but when I go home to California I’m pretty much the same size as everyone else! The fashion industry’s definition and the real world’s definition ARE two totally different things. In the fashion industry, models who are a size 2 and 4 advertise the clothes that are made for women from about a size 2-10. And plus size models who are sizes 12, 14, and 16 advertise to sizes 12 and up. So there’s definitely a difference.

STF: Would you swap careers with someone like Karlie Kloss if you had the chance? Or, would you prefer to continue doing quote unquote plus size work and using your image for an under-represented sect of the fashion world?

LM: I love doing plus size work because I’m able to identify with people on a personal level. But of course I would LOVE to be doing major campaigns. I hope that one day I can do all those major campaigns the way that I am.

STF: What is the biggest challenge facing plus size models today?

LM: I think the biggest challenge is breaking into the mainstream fashion world. The plus size industry is soaring, so I hope that all this positive support will blossom into mainstream fashion.

She’s pretty awesome, huh? Are you ladies inspired by Lizzi’s career and all of the good that she’s doing with Curves for Change? (Find out more about the organization and its work here). Would you also like to see a day when models are just called models, and not divided into “straight size” and “curvy” or “plus size”? Do you think it’ll be a reality soon? Discuss!

And get into even more body image debate here:

• The picture you can’t stop talking about: Meet “the woman on p. 194”

• Crystal Renn talks about body image and weight loss on The Today Show

• Plus size line Elena Miro is excluded from the official Milan Fashion Week calendar

• These bodies are beautiful at every size

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