Velvet – who’s a size 26 – was shockingly turned down by agencies for being too thin, when she weighed a tiny eight-stone, aged 19.
Over the following decade Velvet’s weight doubled and after visiting a plus size agency with her portfolio – while working as a photographer – she was asked to go back in front of the camera.
Since then, Velvet’s career skyrocketed and the 46 year old has appeared in French Vogue and has modeled for international fashion designers, including John Galliano and Jean Paul Gaultier.
She says: ““When I was skinny, they told me to lose weight. But things have changed! I’m a successful model and I have thousands of male fans – I’m proof that fat can be sexy.”
However, critics of plus size models have argued that women like Velvet are bad role models, including fitness guru, Maria Kang, 32, who insists larger women’s body shapes should not be used to inspire young women.
Maria’s notorious, ‘What’s Your Excuse’ photograph, went viral after the self proclaimed ‘fit-mom’ posted the snap online and last week, she openly criticized Chrystal Bougon, who started a ‘sexy selfie’ campaign – which encouraged plus size women to take snaps in their underwear.
However, mum-of-three Maria hit out at Chrystal’s campaigning, claiming the images were sending out the wrong message.
“The ladies depicted in Ms Bougon's photo gallery are not how real women look like or should look like,” insisted Maria
“A lot of people can just tell that [a] person is not healthy. These are women who are overweight and who are obese and they're saying how real women should look like.”
Yet, Velvet – who is also the editor fashion magazine, VolUp2, insists that women should celebrate diversity and says, despite her size, she is a healthy role model.
“I eat a varied diet and I swim three times a week – I’m happy and healthy. Women need to realise diversity is beautiful – I’m proof you don’t have to be stick thin to be a successful model.”
What do you think?
Does being plus size mean you’re a bad role model? Or should we be celebrating all sizes?