True Inclusivity and Diversity in Fashion Looks Like...
A Fat Perspective
I am overjoyed to speak with Velvet, a fashion photographer and one of the first true plus-size fashion models. I had the honor and pleasure of being photographed by Velvet in Paris for her fashion magazine, Volup2. Volup2 is a publication that is truly dedicated to diversity in fashion. Today, Velvet and I discuss what inclusive fashion means and how to include different types of bodies. We talk about the harm in tokenizing diversity and joke about glamorizing obesity. We talk about what it means to truly embrace our bodies and ourselves. We also talk about Velvet’s...
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Intuitive Eating
A Fat Perspective
I am over the moon to speak with Nancy King, a dietician who champions intuitive eating and health at every size. Nancy is the reason why I am actively combating fatphobia and working as a body liberator. She is truly one of the best body mentors. Today, Nancy and I discuss what health at every size means. We define what health is and think about what being healthy may mean to different people. We discuss weight, weight loss, and the struggles that we have because our society is obsessed with being skinny. We also talk about ways to embrace our ever-changing bodies. Key...
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Your Functional Body
A Fat Perspective
I am excited to speak with Tamar, a personal trainer who is an expert in human anatomy as well as exercise science. Tamar brings physical therapy-level expertise to her work. She looks at the human body and think about how the system of muscles, tendons, and nerves interact. Today, Tamar and I discuss the human body and movement. We talk about anatomy and a lot of the physiology of exercise. We also discuss body dysmorphia and how it’s very easy to get wrapped up in body image when it comes to exercise and how to untangle ourselves from that mess. Key Moments in the...
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What a Drag King Can Teach Us about Body Image
A Fat Perspective
I am excited to speak with Vilis Yore, whose drag name is Rocky Valentino. Vilis and I are both currently getting a master’s in clinical psychology, and we met in one of our core courses! Aside from being a psychotherapist-in-training, Vilis is also a drag king. A drag king is someone who performs as an entertainer in male drag. Today, Vilis and I go in-depth about how drag has helped her get to know her body and her self more. We talk about how the body is such a central feature in drag and how our conceptions of what makes as good body is influenced by both our personal histories...
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Breathwork to Support Our Bodies
A Fat Perspective
Today, I get the honor of speaking with Christina Casey, a registered nurse and one of the few certified female WIM HOF breathwork instructors. I attended Christina’s introductory WIM HOFF workshop in Los Angeles in 2022 where I learned not only the breathwork technique but also the science behind the methodology. In this episode, Christina and I dive deep into breathwork. We discuss the scientific and physiological reasons why breathwork is powerful. We also talk about the emotional and spiritual benefits of having such a practice. It truly is empowering for our bodies. ...
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Body Liberating Boudoir
A Fat Perspective
I am excited to have an in-depth conversation with Patrick Falaniko, owner and creator of Goddess Studios in the UK. Patrick has a firm belief that every woman deserves to feel comfortable in her skin, and his work reflects that! Patrick and I met through social media and I have had the honor of having my photo taken by him! Today, we are going to talk about Patrick’s passion, which is honoring diverse bodies, the divine feminine, and making people feel good in front of the camera. We discuss inclusion in the fashion industry, photography, and how we can find empowerment by becoming more...
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How do fashion designers design for diverse bodies?
A Fat Perspective
I am thrilled to have an in-depth conversation with Tammi Lee. Tammi and I have known each other since high school where she was my class president. Tammi is a fashion designer who has spent many, many years working in New York. She primarily works in athletic wear. Today, we are going to be talking about the fashion industry and why it is so difficult for that industry to become fully inclusive with fat bodies. We talk about the challenges behind manufacturing and designing for plus-sizing as well as how skinny-centric styling is! Key Moments in the Episode: ...
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How did being fat affect my Queerness?
A Fat Perspective
I am excited to have an in-depth conversation with Maddie Chun. Maddie is a journalism major who has written several articles about what it’s like being overweight, including one that spoke about how being overweight really affected her coming-out journey. Today, we are going to be talking about Maddie’s various experiences living in her body and how she came to terms with loving herself. We also talk about various issues that fat people face, including medical fatphobia, the trials of living in a skinny-centric world, and how we grow our self-worth as humans. Key...
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What’s the best way to exercise for my body?
A Fat Perspective
I am excited to have an in-depth conversation with Cassie Ramirez. Cassie is a skilled personal trainer who has been working in the field of movement and exercise for almost a decade. She not only helps people become pain-free and stronger, she also ignites a love of exercise for her clients. Today, we are going to be talking about exercise and what the experience is like for Cassie, as a trainer, to help her clients develop an authentic, empowered relationship with exercise that is far removed from the pressures of diet culture. We will also talk about Cassie’s personal...
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What Challenges do we Face When we Travel While Fat?
A Fat Perspective
I am excited to have an in-depth conversation with Kaleesha today about traveling! More importantly, what it’s like to travel in a plus-size body. Kaleesha and I have known each other for over 10 years. She has worn so many different professional hats from educator to educational leader and now, as an independent travel business owner! Today, we are going to be talking about what the travel industry is like, the joys and trials of traveling, and also the challenges of traveling in a bigger body. We will also talk about the relationship that Kaleesha has had with her own body as...
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I am overjoyed to speak with Velvet, a fashion photographer and one of the first true plus-size fashion models. I had the honor and pleasure of being photographed by Velvet in Paris for her fashion magazine, Volup2. Volup2 is a publication that is truly dedicated to diversity in fashion.
Today, Velvet and I discuss what inclusive fashion means and how to include different types of bodies. We talk about the harm in tokenizing diversity and joke about glamorizing obesity. We talk about what it means to truly embrace our bodies and ourselves. We also talk about Velvet’s journey of breaking ground and being a first in fat advocacy in fashion.
Key Moments in the Episode:
(1:23) – Velvet’s journey to fat acceptance
(4:19) What is fashion?
(10:32) Genuine Inclusivity
(11:45) Tokenizing diversity
(14:09) Glamorizing Obesity
(21:00) Refusing to be invisible even when designers won’t make clothes for diverse bodies
(22:39) Ignoring other people’s opinions
(29:35) My Body, My Choice
More About Velvet
Velvet is an American plus-size model and fashion photographer, best known via the worldwide media coverage she received after her appearance in Jean-Paul Gaultier's 2007 Spring/Summer prêt-à-porter collection shown in Paris in October 2006. Standing at five-foot-eight and weighing three hundred pounds, she also made a catwalk appearance in John Galliano's prêt-à-porter showing entitled "Everybody is Beautiful" in 2006, and in the associated French Voguearticle featuring photography by Nick Knight.
D'Amour also featured in the title role of Avida, the 2006 French film directed by Benoît Delépine and Gustave Kervern, and produced by Mathieu Kassovitz, which was selected for the 2006 Cannes and 2007 Tribeca Film Festivals amongst others and has been purchased by CINEMA EPOCH for US distribution. In 2010, she participates in French TV show : "La Ferme Célébrités en Afrique" She has also recently launched a magazine called Vol-Up-2 that features her photography as well as other photographers and artists. As D'Amour experienced success as a plus model, she photographs many plus models for Vol-Up-2, such as rising plus model Clementine Desseaux.
View Velvet’s magazine, Volup2, here: https://www.volup2.com
Follow Velvet on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/volup2/