Our March Model of the Month is Gwen! Gwen first modeled for us in our #InYourSize campaign where we featured 60 babes in the same outfit. She then joined us to model our Amelia Graphic Tees during Pride Month last year. She also took part in a live fit video, getting some custom fit pants. Learn more about her below.
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1. Aside from occasionally modeling for SmartGlamour – what do you do?
I am a teaching artist, an actor, a singer, a roller derby jeerleader and a burlesque performer (under the name Rosie Rapture). My biggest time commitments at the moment are teaching musical theatre and girls empowerment workshops to elementary schoolers, as well as preparing for my next couple of burlesque gigs. When I’m not booked up doing one of those things, I volunteer for a variety of social justice causes through my church and hang out with my foster rabbit Ariel.
2. How did you get involved with the brand?
I think I first saw the casting notice for the In Your Size campaign on the Facebook group Queer Women and Trans People in the Performing Arts and got in touch from there. I actually ended up being a last minute replacement for another model who had dropped out.
3. You’ve modeled for us multiple times – what makes you continue to come back?
I’ve been a performer in various capacities since I was little, but I’ve always hated having my picture taken. Whenever I looked at photos of myself, all I could see were the things about me that would make me un-castable. It’s hard to feel good about your natural appearance when you know your success is dependent in part upon fitting the ingenue mold. Getting involved with SmartGlamour has helped me start to heal that hurt because I don’t feel like I have to hide my nose, my stomach, whatever else I’m feeling bad about in order to fool someone into casting me. I’m enough as I am.
4. What does body positivity mean to you?
To me, body positivity is simply the idea that a person’s worth is not contingent upon the size, shape, color or health of their body.
5. If there is a message you could put across to women/femmes/non binary folks through your modeling photos – what would that be?
You don’t owe it to anyone else to be their idea of attractive. People are going to have a lot of different opinions about how you should dress, eat, exercise, style your hair…whatever. But ultimately, you are the person who has to wake up every morning and go about your day in your body, so make choices that make you feel good and don’t apologize for them.
6. What is your advice to people who would like to give modeling a try?
 Do your research and make sure to seek out environments where you feel respected and valued. And if you get the opportunity to work with SmartGlamour — DO IT.
