Breaking Stigmas in the Modelling Industry 

Happy International Women’s Month ladies.  I say month because why should we not celebrate this amazing day more than just one day. I hope you have been keeping well.

Breaking stigmas in the modelling industry

My House of Fraser ‘New Year, Be You’ Campaign is finally out, and you can find me in all your local House of Fraser stores across the UK. This was such an amazing campaign to be a part of and I am beyond honoured.

 

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The idea of this campaign was to help break stigmas in the modelling industry about representation and staying true to who we are. I worked with such an amazing team and it was the best way to start 2022. I modelled for Tommy Hilfiger both lingerie and sportswear and this had to be approved by Tommy Hilfiger’s company before released so it’s amazing to know they approved me to represent their products. I really loved every part of the two-day shoot.

We also shot a video with words of advice and our own affirmations which was played over the top. You can see these videos on House of Frasers Instagram and if your local store has a big tv screen all over that! My affirmation I had chosen was ‘I chose to see my skin with love instead’ I picked this because this sums me up. I have been on a major self-love battle, and it did take me such a long time to become accepting of my skin. I started off wearing the highest waisted items and bras to hide my scar to now modelling for massive brands in nothing but underwear. The growth is real, and I am so proud of how far I have come, and I love my skin so much because without my beautiful scar I would have not been here today to write this blog or to help other beautiful women out there become accepting of their beautiful scars, skin, and bodies.

To be on my own stand in the middle of House of Fraser and to be in the shop windows means so much to me and I know this will mean so much to the little girls out there who are desperate to find somebody like them in shops and photos so they know they are not alone, and they can still achieve their dreams and that they are beautiful and worthy just as a model without any scars.  It does take a lot for brands to take the risk and use models like myself because some don’t want to take attention away from their products but at the end of the day nobody is body perfect, and nobody has flawless skin. Real bodies come with scars, stoma bags, stretch marks, eczema, spots, hip dips, dimples I could go on and on, so why aren’t we being represented enough? Yes, the industry is slowly getting better, but we still have a way to go, and I am determined to get this change made.

Women want to view clothes on bodies they can identify and relate to, otherwise how are you going to know what an item fit like? I never see models like myself so when it comes to certain clothes, I never have a clue how it is going to fit on my belly and whether it is going to be too low and rub on my stoma and make it hurt. Therefore, its crucial we keep pushing and shouting to get the change we deserve.

I hope you like the photos and my International Women’s Day video I have done this month. I did film this whilst I was in hospital as sadly, I have had a relapse, so I am no longer in remission. I see my surgeon next week to discuss the next options so will update you on all next month’s blog.

See you in a month

Lots of love

Natalie-Amber x

@natalie_amber1