The word supermodel can't even begin to define the impact Natalie Laughlin has had on the plus industry. In her almost ten years as a plus-size model, she has accomplished what many working models can only dream about. From magazine covers, to billboards in Times Square, to educating women about eating disorders, Natalie embodies success as model.

Her Career

How did you get started?
I had been approached to do the skinny modeling while studying acting at university at NYU and just could not get thin enough. Two years later, I went to get my acting headshots from a photographer who asked me to do a job modeling for a hair magazine. He suggested I try modeling and told me about plus modeling (at the time plus modeling was not part of our culture as it is today). He sent me to an agency, BBLW (Big Beauties Little Women), who signed me and set me up with my first test shots. However, I really did not start getting work until I went to Miami and joined Ford Models. That is when I truly started working.

How long have you been modeling?
I first began in the early 90's. My career truly took off in 1995 after I wrote an article for Glamour that disucssed my struggle with my body image and my found acceptance of my body. A fashion spread ran with the article so, I would say almost ten years - a very long time in this business. Just goes to show that perseverance pays off.

Who are some of your clients?
My word! Let's see... Saks, Macy's, Bloomies, H&M, Parisian, Dillards, Filenes, Target, Liz Claiborne, Just MY Size, Avenue, Lane Bryant, Catherines, Tj max, August Max... this list is getting ridiculous! Let's just say I have done almost every store and catalogue in my market over the years. Also in Germany, England and Italy. But, there are some new designers that I am yet to have the pleasure of working with and Marina Rinaldi would be a dream of mine - and my dreams do come true. So you never know?

How do you keep in model shape?
I ran the New York City Marathon in 1999, so running was part of my training for a while, but mostly now I mix weight training with spin classes and take yoga, pilates, and strength training classes at my gym. I also power walk for an hour or so on the days I cannot muster up the energy to run. Working out is key for my well-being and even though I some times miss days or a month when traveling in Europe. I feel best when I workout five days a week.

Do you feel pressure to stay at the small end of the "plus" spectrum?
Yes and no. Any pressure I feel comes from me and my desire to be in the best shape for me. I know at what shape I photograph best, but as I have gotten older and my lifestyle has changed so that my whole life is not based around modeling, my body has changed too and the reality is one I work on to accept. I can only do what is best for me at this moment and I have no control over the current trend in the plus modeling world. If I am accepting of myself, especially my physical self, only then can I take a good picture. I will tell you a lot more in my upcoming book about this.

I do have to say it is frustrating. 0ne moment you are too small and the next you are too big. I just try to be in the best shape I can -- where I feel good.

Have you ever been asked to lose/gain weight or alter your appearance dramatically by anyone in the industry?
Yes. I did not get booked for a big show because the client said I had gained weight. It was not meant to be. The hypocrisy is frustrating but that is the modeling business. We are there to sell clothes or a product not to have our egos stroked, and sometimes the ego does get a bit bruised.

As a model, skin care is just as important as how we take care of our bodies. What skin care regimen do you follow?
The most important thing for me is to wear sunscreen and a hat. I inherited major freckles form the Irish side of my family and growing up in the Caribbean did not help either. I use Anthe0los-60 spf every day. My skin is dry so at night my favorite moisturizer is Kiel's Crème D'Elegance - it is the only one that truly sinks into my skin. The rest is just soap and water - any soap. I used special cleansers for years but never saw the difference. I also have special masks from Erno Lazlo that I use before a shoot. Healthy food (veggies) and lots of water are key not to mention a good sweat!!

How many go-sees do you go on in an average week?
It depends if I am in town (New York City). Not too many as most people know me. I would say one or two a week when in NY. I mostly do direct booking. I live part of the time in Florida and I have agencies in other countries so let's just say that planes and airports are very familiar places for me.

Was it difficult to be patient when you first began, or did the jobs pour in?
Are you kidding? Look for my book on that one! I switched agencies and did tests until the cows came home before I worked at all. Talk about pounding the pavement. When I began it was guerilla modeling where you did the work. I remember one day my model friend Maureen and I traipsed around NY City in pouring rain literally knocking on photographers doors. So no. Jobs did not pour in and it was a slow start. This was a new frontier and I just pushed ahead. We laughed and complained a lot.

Does your social life revolve around modeling (i.e., are most of your friends models) or do you shy away from the industry in your off hours? Do you find that travel and work get in the way of a social life?
No, yes and yes. Most of my close friends are not models except for one of my best friends Bambi la Fleur who I met modeling, but she is mostly a singer and actress. There are some really great girls in the business that I adore working with, it's nice to have a friend around when you are half way around the world. I have a lot of wonderful girl friends that are not in the business and have nothing to do with it. The travel was really crazy for me for a while - it WAS my social life and I loved it. I have family all over the world so most trips to Europe, especially London, were a treat. That is the most fun part.

Now that I am married, I like building a home. I have become addicted to HGTV and "Changing Rooms" on BBC with "Fashion Television" thrown in. My motto is be where you are, love the travel, and revel in the down time. It used to be I got antsy after being home for a while as it meant I was not working and I love modeling. Now I want to be selective. Balance is key for me now.

How do you feel about being idolized? Do you see yourself as famous or does attention and adoration still surprise you?
I am still surprised when I get stopped, and it is flattering. I can't lie, it puts a smile on my face. Being idolized - wow! The one good thing about that is that my voice is heard and who I am as an aesthetic represents most women who do not have a face or a voice in the media. If my being in the spotlight helps any girl or woman look at themselves in a positive way and can help them celebrate their bodies and uplift their sense of selves then it is all good. I am no different than anyone else and being seen as an idol is what can make a woman embrace who she is as is as the norm. That is the idea that moves me forward. It means we can all be idols. Why the hell not?!

What is your most memorable on-the-job experience (casting, booked job, etc)? Any funny stories or mishaps while shooting?
I have so many stories after all the years. Let's see, my all time favorite booking so far was for H&M in Stockholm, Sweden. I had shot for them before and been to Stockholm, which is a city I adore, but this time H&M were celebrating their 50th Anniversary and they had a huge fashion show and party. It felt like the whole city closed down for it. I had a blast that night! Met a Viking man (good clean fun) and watched the sunset at 4 am. It is crazy there in the summer with all that daylight. Anyway, I had to shoot the next day but they promised me it was just from the nose down (we shot the main shots the day before in studio) and as everyone else on the shoot was at the party, including the male model, it was a day to remember. Great photographer - that campaign was so fantastic!

Mishaps I had were realizing that I did not have train info having just arrived in Frankfurt airport in Germany where I was to transfer at the train station on the way to another city and not speaking the German language (except for the basics). No fun to wake up your booker in America at 4 am, but I had to get to the job. Lots more like that.

At one booking early in my career they did not have the dress I was to wear in my size. The sample was in a misses and we had to slit the dress all the way up the back exposing my derrière, if you know what I mean, while shooting on the beach in Florida. It was a crowded beach no less. Now I am so accustomed to this happening as it often does. You have to give up modesty. I have changed clothes on all sorts of streets and parks.

What is your favorite photograph of yourself and why?
There is a photograph of me in one of my first tests by Fadil Berisha - actually most of the shots that accompany this interview are his work. Back to the shot, it's black and white and I am lying down with my head turned to the side. For me, it is really who I am and it is just what it is - sweet and sexy.

Now over the years there have been a lot more favorites. The Mode cover in the blue dress for one. That picture was on the backs of new York City busses and phone booths. I loved the colors and that I looked like any other fashion model - it didn't matter that I was a plus model. My latest favourites are the white story for Grace magazine, we had such a great time that day and it shows in the shots, plus I love all the movement.

Do you encounter size prejudice as a model, either through industry professionals or the general public?
No, not really. Never have as most stylists and makeup artists really love working with us full figured gals. We get to eat and that makes us happy and therefore pleasant to be around. Either that or we are people pleasers and overcompensate/go out of our way to be liked, but I think that's going too deep for this interview - another page in the book.

What do you see yourself doing after your modeling career is over? When do you envision retiring from modeling?
I have broken many barriers in the model world and who knows? The age one might be next. I'll stop when it is no longer fun. MY career is now evolving. I speak at universities around the country where I give my story of overcoming my eating disorder and making it as a model. I am working on my book and a couple other projects. Then there is my web site and that is getting bigger and bigger. Next month, I have a new column with a doctor where we answer your questions called THE MODEL AND THE DOCTOR. It has always been important for me to keep challenging myself and grow into who I am meant to be, whatever that may be. I love exploring my spiritual self and have recently become a Reiki Master (an ancient healing method).

Mostly though I look forward to having a family and having them be my priority. My husband and I are remodeling our house in Florida and it is a lot of work but tons of fun to create. No decorator. We are doing it ourselves. After staying in all those hotels and shooting in fabulous houses I have picked up a thing or too. That is now a great joy.

What is your next modeling project?
Palm Springs for Catherine stores then I have no idea. I have about five holds so we will see what pans out! Keep your fingers crossed for me.

What do you love about being a plus size model and what would you change if you could?
I love that I don't have to starve myself and can still be a successful model. I love creating unexpected images. I love the hair and makeup and being all girly. What would I change? The politics. I hate playing games and that I do not have full control of my career.

As far as frequency of work goes, is the year fairly predictable for you or can it change drastically from one to the next?
It changes. The year I got married, my focus was split and you get what you focus on. Also, I booked out a lot and that limits work. As a model you always have to be on call. One vacation and you miss a $10,000 job. That is the way it is. You have to work at it. The business can be fickle so you got to keep 'em interested.

You are famous for so many reasons. What accomplishment has made you the most proud?
My billboards in Times Square, my Mode and Grace covers, H&M campaigns, Marks and Spencer campaign in London, being in the Wall Street Journal, People and W Magazine.

My all time proudest moment is how I handled myself against Helen Gurley Brown in an MSNBC debate. Did you know they parodied the show on a skit on Saturday Night Live?

The Industry

Where do you see the plus market heading?
It will get more mainstream as women demand to be seen as they are, not some unrealistic idea created by advertisers.

How prevalent is airbrushing in plus modeling? Are all those plus models really cellulite free?
Are you kidding? Air brushing is the norm no matter what kind of model you are. Mode in the early days tried not air brushing, but the competition was too tough from all those perfect (unreal) images in the other magazines and they gave in. I had mixed feelings about it for a while but now I like it. I just work to educate the young girls out there that no one actually looks like the pages they see on the magazines.

Are plus models more in demand here in the US or abroad? Differences in size preferences?
I modeled a lot in Europe in my early career because I was thought of as too sexy in the US. It really all depends where you are getting booked the most - who likes your look at the moment. The US market is generally bigger, but if you are not working here try somewhere else. Germany generally like you on the smaller size, England varies and that could all change tomorrow.

What advice do you have for aspiring models?
If you really want to model and a reputable agency has told you that you have a shot, do not wait for the jobs to come in, you have to work at it!

1. Test and be voracious about learning everything you can. Being able to move and feel comfortable in front of the camera is key which is why testing is also key. I know it can be expensive but there is always a price.
   
   
2. BE PATIENT!! It can take years to find your way to the right clients.
   
   
3. Stand up for yourself and, dare I say it, do not be bullied by your agent but do create a good relationship. The reality is if they don't like you, you ain't gonna work.

On a Personal Note...

Who do you consider a heroine or role model?
My Mom. She taught me everything about being a girl and more importantly being a lady. She is a worker and I always feel so supported by her and my family. I love how she loves me. My mom has always been beautiful, she is a true diva and the original glamour girl, besides being a fabulous artist. She can make any junkyard find look like a million bucks. I guess her creativity, perseverance and classiness are the things I truly admire.

If you weren't a model, what do you think you would be doing?
Acting!

As a newly married woman, how does your husband deal with your celebrity and male admirers?
He knows he is the only guy for me and he just takes it in stride.

To learn more about Natalie, visit her website at http://www.natalielaughlin.com.