Women, One Accessory at a Time — Jacqueline Biollo

I’m surrounded by more than just a pile of clothes that hasn’t been hung up or put away yet, random shoes that have no final resting place, hats and purses, sunglasses and gloves, earrings and necklaces strewn around my primary bedroom, seeping into the hallway and any other inappropriate space that would otherwise not house or hold my fashion accessories – but once I tell you I’m in the middle of a major closet renovation, hopefully you’ll understand. The timing of this renovation is either perfectly planned, or an example of poor judgment. I’m confident it’s the former and not the latter. You see, I am less than two weeks away from leaving for the biggest fashion extravaganza and modelling experience of my career – and by the time this article is published – the closet renovations will be complete, my clothes and accessories purged or hung up and organized in the new space - designed with form and function in mind - and I would have returned from my ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ experience of walking in the Curvy Revolution as part of New York Fashion Week. Ten years ago, I would have never thought I’d be a successful, internationally published, mature, full-figured model. Although I have a background in acting, and am very comfortable in front of a crowd, either as an educator, motivational speaker, or business leader, the runway just wasn’t a platform I saw myself walking on. But much like I instruct my students, or consult my clients, ‘sometimes opportunities just happen – and it’s what you do with those opportunities that really matter’. And although this opportunity may have been building for awhile, like putting on ‘one accessory at a time’, I still don’t know how the final look will be received, what the reviews will be, or how the impact of my choices will influence my future. The backstory to all of this is really all I can write about at this point. Not that I feel the pinnacle of my modelling career is rooted in my trip to New York City, but it kind of is. At 45-years of age, I was just wrapping up a successful political career and election campaign that had provided me a platform to use my voice to advocate for things I believed in – people, possibility, and potential. It was at that same time that the fashion industry was evolving, pivoting to be more inclusive of all body types and sizes. Fashion designers were eager to launch collections that complemented the ‘curvy girls’ or the ‘full-figured

consumer’. I was approached to ‘walk the runway’. I was honoured. It was fun, at first. Then, as time went on, rather than feel included, as the industry tried to be more inclusive, I felt excluded. In my experience, photographers were slow to embrace the curves, and the design industry had yet to really understand and appreciate how to complement a woman’s desire to feel confident in the clothes she wore. Tailored. Tasteful. Women are worthy of a picture that says 1,000 words. They want to feel empowered. Confident. Desirable. But I didn’t give up so easily, and I’m glad the fashion industry didn’t either. By my 50th birthday, I had relaunched and rebranded my strategic consulting company, took stock of my surroundings, made a commitment to use my superpowers to be a positive inspiration, motivator, and mentor to others, and was more active and successful in my acting and modelling careers than I

I was collaborating with hair and makeup artists, designers, vendors, and photographers on stylized photo shoots 4-5 times per week. had ever been. Designers were again enthusiastic about creating collections that complemented all bodies, and photographers were eager to showcase diversity in their portfolios. At the height of my modelling career, I was collaborating with hair and makeup artists, designers, vendors, and photographers on stylized photo shoots 4-5 times per week. I’ve now been published in over 130 international magazines. As late nights turn into early mornings, and one day looks much like another, I couldn’t do what I do without the love and support of my friends and family – or the outreach from the overwhelming amount of individuals I’ve not yet had the pleasure of meeting or building a relationship with – who reach out on social media to share their stories with me and tell me how my ‘work’ has impacted their life. Personalized messages of thanks and appreciation for being a body positive advocate is inspiring. Others say my pictures exude a certain ‘joie de vivre’ they aspire to, confidence they hope to embrace, or a certain sense of ‘je ne sais quoi’ they saw in my portfolio and wish to emulate. I know not what the future holds for me, but as I would put on ‘one accessory at a time’, I look forward to each and every opportunity that has afforded me – or more accurately – opportunities and experiences I have yet to pursue. Walking in the Curvy Revolution during New York Fashion Week is just one of those opportunities – and I can’t wait to share my next adventures with you. More importantly, though – go out and find your own adventures. I’d love to hear about the accessories that make your life fashionable, fierce, and unforgettable.

Photo by Lindsay Thompson Photography