International Plus Model, Tracie Stern, Answers Your Questions!

 

Photographed by Michael Dar

Tracie has been an international plus-size model for over 15 years. Several of the most famous agencies in the world have represented her. Tracie’s career has taken her to all corners of the world, and she has had the privilege to work with many of the best photographers in the business. A few of her many clients include; Glamour Magazine, Macy’s, Dillard’s, Saks, Hanes, Fashion Bug Plus, JC Penny, Vanity Fair Lingerie, Sears, Montgomery Ward, August Max, and a plethora of international clients as well. She has also appeared on numerous TV and radio talk shows.

How do you think plus modeling is helping to redefine beauty?

Unfortunately, I don’t think that plus modeling necessarily is helping to redefine beauty, but it is supporting the movement. What is helping is that society is slowly accepting such visual examples of full figure beauty in actresses like Queen Latifah, America Ferrera, and Brooke Elliott. Even, pop star Jessica Simpson, who has been sporting a fuller figure lately and has embraced it publicly, is helping to change the minds of those formerly “not attracted” to fuller figured women. As long as they embrace it publicly, I believe women will soon embrace it privately, and then we can all move forward. As size acceptance becomes more visible, there will hopefully be more opportunities for plus modeling to flourish.

What advice would you give to aspiring plus-size models?

The same advice I would give to any model: 1) Looks will only get you so far, professionalism and talent will carry you further. 2) Think of yourself as a product and not a person, this will help you to understand how a client sees you, and will help you better understand what your agent is trying to do with you. 3) Have fun. Being a model has been one of the greatest experiences of my life. If you get an opportunity to do it professionally, give it everything you have, and take advantage of every opportunity your agent gives you. This is a career, not a hobby, and as long as you treat it with respect, you will have success.

What advice would you give to girls and women, who are struggling with body image and self-esteem issues?

The one thing I’ve noticed in my life and travels is that women of all sizes have or have had a body issue at some point in their lives. Either their calves are too big; their butt isn’t big enough; their breasts are too big, too small, or sag; or whatever. The best advice I can think of is, embrace it. I know it’s been said many times by many resources, but it’s true. If you take a minute to properly look at yourself in a mirror, meaning actually spend some time assessing what you have to offer like…those great hips that you got while giving birth to your child(ren) or those thick thighs you got while playing baseball 15 years ago and have never lost. See what you do love about yourself and focus on that, when you say it enough and reinforce it, you won’t see the negative anymore.

How has the plus-size modeling industry changed over the last 15 years?

I think the one thing that stands out most is the level of fashion we get to model. When I started in this industry plus size fashion still included Mu Mu’s and one-piece outfits that have the appearance of three. Plus models were never seen as anything but a novelty, never mainstream. I mean a plus model in Vogue, that was just a dream and then Kate Dillon made it a reality. We aren’t there yet though, there are still a lot of stereotypes about us, there are still photographers who refuse to work with us, and there are still clients who can’t seem to get past the “Fat and Happy” marketing ideas.

Has plus-size modeling become more or less competitive?

Competitive- I think it’s become more. Since there have been more clients dropping out of the plus size market and more models breaking into it, there are far more models than work. One of the most frustrating things I have recently come across is that I’ve seen models who are trying to stand out amongst a sea of genericness (is that a word?), and the industry just doesn’t accept them. It’s only acceptable for a model to be edgy and trendy if it’s a tear (a client defines it) and not a test (a model defines it). There is something that scares people about this concept and it’s a bit frustrating.

Photographed by Keith Cephus

Has plus-size modeling become more or less ageist, racist, etc.?

I think it’s a bit more ageist. I’ve been told by agencies here in the US that they are only looking to sign models who are fresh faces. This is a bit of an insult to a veteran like me. I think I am a better model now then I’ve ever been, I have far more control and imagination, and I think I’ve aged well. I know back when I was a youngin’ in this business, I was always working with veteran talent, but for some reason today that door seems shut in some markets. Or maybe it’s just me?  LOL. 

Has the plus-size modeling audience changed over the last 15 years?

I don’t know if it’s changed necessarily, but it has become more confident. The audience that supports us now is far more vocal about what they like and don’t like; and over the years, women especially have gained confidence and are stepping out of their box more today than years past. I truly believe that the option to purchase more fashionable clothing, equal to that of the straight sized world, is definitely helping them. 

Have you ever struggled with self-esteem or body image issues in the past?

When I was a teen, I had body issues. Not just my size but my height as well. Throughout grade school, I was always bigger and taller than my other classmates were and that carried over into high school. It was really hard to look at all the cute 5’4 girls being blushed over by the big basketball player, when I was the same size as the big basketball player…lol.

How did you reach the point of accepting and loving your body as it is?  

I think the first time I blocked a male volleyball player’s spike was when I realized that I had something here. At that point, I started to get respect from the guys at school and befriended them, and by hanging out and playing sports, I learned what it was that was truly important. 

Have you read any good books that help promote positive self-esteem and healthy body image that you would recommend for girls, pre-teens, teens, or women?

Gosh, I have read so many books over the years…The Celestine Prophecy and Surfing the Himalayas…books more about inner development than outward beauty. But, the two are interconnected, so I guess in a non-obvious way; these self-help books helped me to keep my focus on more important personal issues. I think a recommendation for finding a good book would be to look for books that address the issues each person has. Instead of reading a book about weight loss, the book you might really want to look for might actually be about learning to dress more confidently or learning what sexy is at any size…does that make sense?

Photographed by Keith Cephus

Where do you like to shop for clothes?

Everywhere! I will go into any store, regardless of whether or not they are plus or not because you never know what you might find. One of my favorite tricks though is to shop in the maternity section of department stores or stores like Target. The clothing is designed around a rounder belly, hips, and chest; and they have some really great items that not everyone will have. I’ve found quite a few pieces that way. 

Do you have a favorite workout routine?

Kickboxing. Not cardio kickboxing, but the actual boxing ring; hitting the bag, and cross training. I attended a Kickboxing boot camp after my second son was born and lost 50 lbs in 3 1/2 months. Since I was a 12/14 before my son was born and was a full 16/18 after, I had to lose the weight if I wanted to continue working for my regular clients. Mind you, I seriously cut my calorie intake as well and focused on high protein and less carbs to help with the training.

What is your most memorable modeling experience?

Wow, after 15 years I think it’s almost impossible to narrow down just one. I remember working in a salt field three hours outside of Athens, Greece to shoot a winter catalog for a German client. The salt, when photographed resembled snow and since we were shooting the catalog in August, the real thing wouldn’t have worked. The other model and I were dressed up in full parka, gloves, and we even had skis for props; all while enjoying the 90-degree dry heat.

Some of my favorite jobs involved shooting on locations that weren’t open to the public like private residences of the rich and famous or mansions that were once owned by famous families in the 1920s and were turned into museums. We were always able to wander around the properties while we weren’t on set and sometimes the curator of the museum would give us access to places only staff would go. This is why I love what I do.

Do you have any funny modeling stories you would like to share?

I love sharing a story from my early years in Canada about a fellow model and I working at a photo studio one day. The studio was giving tours to the executives of the store we were shooting for. One thing the public doesn’t necessarily know about the modeling industry is that most of the clothes they see in catalogs are samples, and therefore aren’t always perfect when they are shot. Shoes for instance, if brought in from another country, have holes cut into them so that they cannot be resold here (since customs wasn’t paid). Well this particular day, the other model was wearing a pair of polyester pants with an elastic waistband and all and the pants weren’t fitting right, so the stylist had to cut out the rear end of the pants in order to get them to lay right across the front. Well just as the model was walking out to set, the tour of executives comes through and had the perfect view of her bare butt squished in with nylons in plain view. This is for those of you who think that modeling is glamorous!

Please tell us about your most recent projects.

Most recently, I’ve been working with Macy’s Midwest as a host for their Woman’s Way Events. I’ve also been doing local work in Virginia Beach where I am currently living with my active duty Navy husband and my beautiful two boys.   

 

Photographed by Michael Dar

Is there ever a point where someone is considered “too old” to begin modeling or is there a market for all ages?

In the straight sized fashion market yes, if you are over 25 it’s almost impossible to become a model. However, depending on what kind of model you want to be, you may still have hope. For example:  Fitness models break into the industry at all ages since the primary focus for them is fitness and so the requirements are different depending on which facet you want to be a part of.

Many older models that you see, if they are in the straight sized world will most likely have been around since they were teens. Their client base will have changed, but because of the marketing their agencies do and how the models approach their career, it will have given them longevity. The plus sized industry works differently. I’ve seen many “new faces” come into this business and they are 25 years of age and older. That’s the fun part of modeling, there are no rules and the rules change every day. Good Luck.

 What project are you excited about?

One project I am really excited about is the opening of the Understudies F.A.M.E Institute. It’s a trade school that teaches more about the business side of modeling than the creative side. Part of the Understudies program involves teaching our students how to properly take care of their skin from the beginning and for that; we are very excited to be teaming up with Tata Harper Skincare, which is a 100% natural and organic line (www.tataharper.com). I’ve also opened a local modeling agency to help develop and introduce local talent to the industry and help them grow into larger markets. 

I’ve always loved working with young talent and helping them to fulfill their dreams, so Understudies is giving me the opportunity to do that on a more regular basis.

Also, I am in negotiations for a special project right now, doing something I’ve never done before. I can’t say anything more about it, but you can definitely watch for news posted on my Facebook Fan page when the decision is made…

Tracie Stern
Executive Director
Understudies F.A.M.E Institute
www.understudies.us
Understudies Model Management
www.usmmva.com

Tracie has been amazing to work with and we thank her for her generous support to Plus-Size Models Unite. Thank you, Tracie!

We are excited to bring you many more fantastic contributors in the coming weeks!

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