WHAT AND WHO ARE YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT? Danah: I am passionate about my dancing. I love love love dancing. It makes me feel great about my body and my self. I'm passionate about my family. They really are such awesome supporters and I wouldn't want to have anyone else around me all the time but them. :) Stacy: Currently, I'm into SCUBA diving. I've always wanted to be a mermaid and being an open water diver kinda' makes me feel like I'm officially one! HAHA! :) I'm also very passionate about our blog and our advocacy, and our very supportive readers. :) WHAT DRIVES EACH OF YOU TO INSPIRE WOMEN? Danah: The fact that women are tormenting themselves and hating their bodies because of stupid lies presented by the media is enough to fuel me to keep doing what we do. Stacy: The fact that women subject themselves to dangerous diets or even eating disorders just because they feel like the only way they can attract or get loved by people is through the way they look. It's so superficial. I want more women to know that there are worth far more than how they look, and their weight does not determine their worth. The thought of empowering women and making them realize how precious and special each of them are drives me to inspire more women. WHO ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE DESIGNERS? Danah: I love shoe designers. I marvel at their works and wonder how the heck they come up with those masterpieces. I like Loubotin and Betsy Johnson! Stacy: I'm not really very particular about brands/designers. :) I can shop anywhere and if I like it and I can afford it, then I'll buy it! :)
ANYONE IN THE INDUSTRY WHO INSPIRES YOU TO KEEP DOING WHAT YOU LOVE, SUPPORTING AND MOTIVATING WOMEN TO LOVE EVERY INCH OF THEMSELVES? Danah: Plus-size models Tara Lynn, Denise Bidot and Ashley Graham are my favorites! I absolutely take inspiration from them with how they carry their bodies with so much confidence and power. Also, Team Skorch and PlusMag for creating such wonderful publications for our demographic. It makes us feel important and that we also belong in the fashion scene. Stacy: Plus size models Clementine Desseux, Tara Lynn, Denise Bidot, Ashley Graham, and Johanna Dray are my idols (THEY'RE ALL SO STUNNING) and some day I'd love to do a photoshoot with them! A lot of fatshion bloggers also inspire me when it comes to fashion and style. :) Beth Ditto's badassness is also very refreshing and liberating! I like her. :) Lesley Kinzel and Frances of corpulent. wordpress.com are also people I look up to because they're very passionate about fat/ body issues and they're really fighting for it. ANYTHING YOU WANT TO SHARE WITH OUR READERS? Danah: EMBRACE YOUR BODY. LOVE IT. IT'S THE ONLY ONE YOU'VE GOT. How you treat and see yourself will be th benchmark of how others will treat and see you. Stacy: You are beautiful. You are worthy. You do not have to believe the lies of the media and you do not have to conform yourself to their stupid, stereotypical standards. BE YOURSELF, BECAUSE THERE'S NO OTHER PERSON WHO CAN DO A GREAT JOB AT BEING YOU THAN YOU . :) Be strong, and be confident because it's waaaaay sexier than being an insecure person who's always moping around. EXUDE POSITIVITY AND HAPPINESS ALL THE TIME. People will be drawn to you for it. :)
FEB 2012 EXCLUSIVE \ PG15 \ Š SKORCHMAG.COM