“You don’t have to be a frumpy person because you’re plus size.”
That’s the message Chelsea Bonner wants all Australian women to hear. And although that body positive mantra should be mainstream by now, it was revolutionary when Chelsea founded Bella Model Management 14 years ago.
Born to a covergirl mother and a well-known actor father, Chelsea grew up on fashion shoots — but as she evolved into a curvy teenager, she struggled to feel comfortable in her own skin.
“It was hard,” she tells Australian Story on an episode set to air tonight on ABC. “It was that whole thing… Where do I fit? Where on earth do I fit in this world?”
Top Comments
I just watched the above Australian Story episode and it floored me how much beautiful people are ostracized and belittled in the industry.
20 years ago I'd flick through catalogues and fashion sections in magazines and yes, the " plus size " models always looked dowdy and unattractive in tent size dresses or unbuttoned blouses with the ever present crew T-shirt or skivvy underneath.
I'm so glad and proud things are finally changing for the better.
Love this woman and her philosophy, honoured to have featured her on Engaging Women, only wish there was a Chelsea Bonner when I was growing up, being "big boned" wasn't fun back then.