Australian Model Penelope Benson Talks About Confidence, Beauty, Fashion, Modeling, Health, Body Image, and Much More!

Photographed by Claudio Raschella

Penelope Benson is a plus model currently signed with BELLA models in Australia. She is twenty-three years old and she has been juggling full-time university with modeling for the past three years. Now that she has earned her degree, she plans to dedicate 2010 and onward to taking her modeling career as far as she can and she has plans to meet with international agents later this year.

Penelope is extremely lucky to work for both MYER and David Jones department stores, and plus-size brands such as Taking Shape 14+, BeMe, Free Woman, and Sara for EZIBUY. She has graced the pages of the highest selling fashion and lifestyle magazines such as Australian Women’s Weekly, Madison, Cosmopolitan, and Shop Til You Drop; just to name a few.

L’Oreal Fashion Festival Unzipped Parade wearing Rio Underwear. Photographed by Lucas Dawson.

Please tell us where you are from, and how you got started in the modeling business.

I’m from Kirribilli in Sydney, Australia. I started modeling by simply approaching BELLA Model Management about three years go. I still can’t believe I built up the courage to go meet with my agent, Chelsea Bonner; I think about it all the time. I actually use to feel funny about people knowing that I wasn’t ‘scouted’ so to speak.  I didn’t want people to think of me as vain or arrogant, but after a few years on the job, I’ve learnt that I have everything to be proud of by having the guts to stop just thinking about modeling and start doing it! It makes me happy and feel fulfilled as well as enabling me to figure out who I am, what I want and set goals to achieve it – just like anyone who is doing their dream job. Some people grow up wanting to be doctors, lawyers, designers, actors, etc… me? I want to model.

Are there any special projects that you are involved with that you would like us to tell the readers about?

I am actually involved in something but it’s not my project to spill the beans over just yet.

Photographed by Paul Suesse

Have you ever struggled with self-esteem or body image issues in the past? If so, how did you reach the point of accepting and loving your body as it is?

Absolutely. I’ve struggled with my weight and self-esteem since I can remember. I’ve been to dietitians at two stages in my life (during school) to try to control my issues. As a teenager, I was always concerned and worried about how I looked. I was the tallest out of all of my gorgeous but naturally petite friends, so knew I stood out. I even stopped going to the beach for a whole summer with my mates because the thought of being in a bikini in public haunted me and I never wanted to be compared. My friends laugh about what I do now — seeing me down to my underwear in catalogues. Self-acceptance came over time. It’s obviously a personal journey. Now I can confidently say that I do not have a problem with the way my body looks in any way. I’m as comfortable in a cocktail dress as I am in my underwear, and if you stuck me in a room with a thousand eyes on me, I still wouldn’t have a problem. I know I’m healthy because I treat my body well and I LOVE having curves.

What advice would you give to young women who are struggling with self-esteem, confidence, or body image?

Don’t let your life pass you by. If you want to be happy, have confidence and be proud of who you are. I will admit, from my own experiences, sometimes it feels good to self-pity and get down on yourself, especially when you’ve been in a rut for a while, but it’s only because you don’t have to try. Ultimately, you have to want to feel better and change things. I think one of the reasons that led me to my own personal acceptance was my desire to simply live a happy life and I think most people would be with me here. Life’s here for living, I know that if I didn’t take my own steps in growing then I wouldn’t be living out my dream right now. I never would have met with these incredible opportunities. Treat your body and mind well, and never give up on the search for your own happiness. Oh, and stand up straight and keep your shoulders back!

Photographed by Claudio Raschella

What does being healthy mean to you?

I think being healthy means knowing your body – respecting it but also never denying yourself. Along with eating nutritious food, I also believe exercise is a major part of the whole of healthiness. It really is essential, not just to expend energy created from food, but as a way of having better digestion and clearing the mind.

Out of all the places your modeling has taken you – where is the most memorable?

I just shot my first television commercial for Fine Form Lingerie and that was memorable! It’s quite different and challenging trying to move and pose at the same time! Another really memorable shoot was for Australian Women’s Weekly because I had wanted to shoot for David Gubert (http://www.davidgubert.com/) ever since I started modeling. I love his photographs and he always makes ladies look glowing and delicious. Lastly, a shoot that really had a huge effect on me was in 2008 for a MYER AW 09 catalogue. We shot and stayed in a small town called Marysville in Victoria. The place was so quaint but honestly breathtaking. Two months after we shot there, bush-fires swept through the whole area devastating everything in sight and killing over 250 residents. It seriously rocked me.

Photographed by Anna Bertalli

Where do you like to shop for clothes and who are your favorite designers?

I go to Cheap Monday for my jeans and pants because they go to my size, Nathan Smith for good cotton tee’s and tops, and David Jones for my shoes… I have a slight addiction to shoes.

What are some of your favorite beauty products or must-haves?

Smashbox foundation primer and Giorgio Armani Hyrda Glow SPF 15 foundation are the best. I also love Lola by Marc by Marc Jacobs at the moment… oh, and last but definitely not least: Cetaphil face wash!

Do you have a favorite workout routine?

I walk/run 5 days a week. I don’t usually have time on weekends but I make time everyday to exercise for at least an hour. Some weeks I switch it up with swimming.

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

Hmm… I’m always laughing and enjoying myself on the job! Actually, I got to carry a Chihuahua down the runway at a recent show for L’Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival and it piddled all over my hands from shock!

Australian Womens Weekly shoot. Photographed by David Gubert.

Who do you consider a good role model or hero?

Career wise, the Crystal Renns and Tara Lynns of the world are earning some serious respect from me at the moment. However, closer to home, I would have to say the girls from my agency, both my agents and BELLA models because we’re all around each other so much and we’re all doing the same thing. All of us go to each other for advice and encouragement. We all want the same things and not only do we want them for ourselves, but we want them for each other. Even if only one of us succeeds, it’s a victory for us all and we know that. But, if you, the reader, are encouraged by me or this interview then you inspire me and you are my hero! I haven’t had the best role models or heroes in my life.  I’ve kind of had to figure it all out myself and be my own role model, in a sense. I’m lucky I found something that has brought out the best in me; it’s something I love and that I’m able to be paid for.

What are you excited about right now?

The future! I have so many things that I want to do. I feel like they are becoming more possible every day with plus-size models becoming ever more present in fashion magazines and advertising. I’m excited about taking work overseas. It’s a scary when I think about the likes of who I’ll be competing with, but I just see it as another challenge. If I never go, then I’ll never know!

*Thank you, Penelope!

**What are some of your favorite beauty products or must-haves? What is your favorite workout routine? Who do you consider a good role model or hero? What are you excited about right now?