Gone are the days, the slim girls had the attention all to themselves at the expense of the fleshy and big girls. The fat and plump girls who now refer to themselves as plus- size are sharing the spotlight, strutting their stuff and becoming celebrities in their own right.
While some are still wallowing in self-pity, living in the misery, afraid to embrace their body, plus-size model and fashion designer , known as Monalisa Stephen, is proud of what Mother Nature has blessed her with.
In this chat with TNG, she opens up on her passion for plus-size fashion among other issues.
What words best describe you?
I am strong, fat, independent and kind. There are plenty beautiful words to describe me.
Tell us about your educational background?
I attended a polytechnic, Ado Ekiti Polytechnic in Ado Ekiti. I studied Business Administration. I have had some training here and there and also attended a fashion school.
Tell us about your journey into modelling and fashion?
My journey into modelling and fashion was sparked by my mum. My interest was birthed from watching her. I started thinking of modelling when I was 15 that is because all my friends were skinny. At my secondary school’s end of the year party back then, I had to model on the runway, some people hailed me while others bullied me.
What were the challenges you encountered starting out?
The challenge of being a plus-size has been online bullying and body-shaming. No one in my day to day activities has really walked up to me to tell me that I should lose some weight. People think because you are fat you don’t have a right to be happy.
How were you able to overcome the body shaming that comes with being plus- size?
Like I say in my posts, loving yourself is a journey; It doesn’t happen in a day. It takes time to love you. You need to get to a point where you love yourself to the point that no matter what anybody says, it won’t get to you. I have been able to overcome body- shaming by loving myself. I don’t care about how you see me; I only care about how I see myself.
When you look into the mirror, what do you see?
Whenever I look into the mirror, I see a beautiful fat woman .that is not afraid to show the world how she feels.
How old were you when you got your first modelling job?
I think I was 19
https://www.instagram.com/p/BlaReulg1yh/?taken-by=monalisa.stephen
Do you think men are drawn to plus size women?
Men seeing me as a sex object doesn’t have to do with just me. It is peculiar to all plus size women. Once a man sees a girl with big boobs and bum, the first thing that comes to their mind is sex. I think it’s like a normal thing to them. I feel sad because you should be interested more in knowing a woman than having sex with her.
How does it make you feel?
When men see me as a sex object I feel bad because they don’t see beyond that. I am not a sex object.
What is the best part of being a plus size model and fashion designer?
I think the best part is to be able to design something. Most Nigerian plus-size designers are boring. People see fat girls like people who cannot have fun, so I try to make outfits they can wear wherever they want to.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BiCjHbegw-B/?taken-by=monalisa.stephen
What is the weirdest message you have gotten in your DM?
I get a lot of messages from men every day, some crazy inbox messages. Some walk up to you, telling you they like you, but I know what they want is sex. The weirdest message I have ever gotten was a guy saying he wants to have a taste of my bum
When you are not working, what is your favorite thing to wear?
If I am at home, I like to be naked I don’t know why.
Do you think being curvy is an advantage?
I think If I were to be slim, I won’t be here today. I will just be another girl. Being curvy has made me realise my self-worth and to reach out to people because I am naturally a shy person. It has made me a bolder person”.
There is this believe that curvy women are better in bed than slim women .What do you think about that?
I cannot speak for everybody, but I think curvy girls are nasty in bed. I don’t know If they are better, but they are crazier in bed. I think curvy girls just like to give their all when it comes to love making. They are very crazy
What projects are you working on?
I am going to showcase my outfits at the Plus-size fashion week coming up in November.