Meet Chrissy Taylor of Durham

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chrissy Taylor

Hi Chrissy, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
In 2021, I embarked on my journey as a model, content creator, and influencer after being introduced to the body-positive movement on social media. Growing up, I felt different from my peers as I did not fit the conventional beauty standards portrayed in magazines, which, coupled with bullying, severely impacted my self-esteem. Witnessing the body positive movement online was a turning point for me. Seeing women like me confidently living their lives, traveling, socializing, and dating, inspired me to embrace my body and live my life unapologetically. This newfound empowerment led me to join the movement by launching my own social media page dedicated to empowering girls and women who look like me, through fashion and modeling.

I proudly represent the apple-shaped girls, the full-figured ladies with bellies, those who are bigger on the top than they are on the bottom. This is a body type that is still underrepresented in the plus size community. Currently, there is an “acceptable” plus size body type that brands, and the media are trying to push as the only standard of beauty. I use my platform to fight for representation in the plus size community. Plus size women come in all shapes and sizes and we ALL deserve to be seen.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The journey towards becoming a model, content creator, and influencer has been far from easy. Initially, navigating this realm alone posed significant challenges. Given that content creation and influencing are relatively new fields, I lacked a clear roadmap to follow. This ambiguity made it difficult for me to distinguish between legitimate opportunities and those not worth pursuing. At the start, I eagerly collaborated with any brand to showcase my abilities and increase my visibility in the hopes of gaining recognition. Over time, as I developed as an influencer and established my brand, I started collaborating with brands that shared my values.

Partnering with local companies and brands as a model has been another challenge I have encountered. I love Durham and the RDU area, but it is not the greatest when it comes to plus size fashion. Only a handful of stores and boutiques cater to plus-size needs. Despite the rough journey, I continue to persevere, especially locally. I am optimistic that the RDU fashion scene will grow to be more inclusive and diverse.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As a model and influencer, my expertise lies in highlighting the latest trends for plus-size fashion enthusiasts. My recent focus has been on modeling, using my body to create art and encouraging women who look like me, to embrace their bodies, one photo at a time.

I take the most pride in is my creativity. I am not just prepared to model when I arrive on set, but I also take the helm of creative direction for my photoshoots. I select the themes and style myself, which distinguishes me from other models. Not only do I excel in front of the camera, but I also excel in planning the entire shoot.

Additionally, what distinguishes me from other models is my petite apple shape, a unique feature that I proudly flaunt and consider my strength. I am recognized for championing apple-shaped “baddies” and advocating for our visibility in the plus-size community. Not all plus-size bodies are curvaceous; some of us proudly embrace our full bellies.

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Perseverance is crucial to my success. Breaking into modeling is challenging, and I understand that rejection will be a common experience. Nevertheless, I am determined to persist and keep working towards my goal of becoming the face of a prominent campaign. Being featured in stores, magazines, or on billboards for a major brand is my ultimate aspiration. This journey is not just about me; it is about all the women that look like me, who do not see anyone in the mainstream media with which they can identify. Representation matters, and I aim to demonstrate to the world that women with bellies are beautiful and deserve to be seen.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.plusmodelchrissytaylor.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamchrissytaylor/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@chrissysklozet
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@iamchrissytaylor

Image Credits
Photographer: Visuals By Veronica
Makeup Artist: Natresha Glam U and Rocket On The Beat