Why bigger is beautiful for plus-size model Lucy (From Worcester News)

Why bigger is beautiful for plus-size model Lucy

4:30am Wednesday 24th February 2010 in News By Lauren Rogers, @laurenrogersWN #WENews

WHILE all eyes are on London Fashion Week a Worcester model is celebrating her plus-size curves.

Statuesque model Lucy Shropshall has been chosen by Birmingham shopping centre Pavilions for its spring/summer fashion shoot.

The 27-year-old, who is a size 14-16, was trained by Jay Alexander, star of the television show America’s Next Top Model.

She adorned the catwalks of uber-designers such as Vivienne Westwood before becoming a plus-size model.

While most of the models gamboling on the catwalks of London Fashion Week will be size eight and under, Miss Shropshall is an inspiration for bigger women.

She said: “I became a catwalk model when I was 14 years old and by the time I was 18 my figure had filled out.

“While the job was exciting, I saw lots of friends starve themselves to stay in the industry and I quickly realised that life wasn’t for me.”

As a plus-size model Ms Shropshall has been featured in Italian Vogue.

“I never diet and I love my curves,” she said.

“And luckily clients such as Pavilions do too.”

The Pavilions fashion shoot, which features clothing and accessories from a range of retailers including Monsoon, Marks & Spencer, Evans, LK Bennett, Hobbs and Azendi, is due to appear in the March and April editions of the shopping centre’s magazines.

Pavilions’ marketing manager Sarah Jenkinson said the spring edition will celebrate beauty in all shapes and sizes.

She said: “Our customers are women with real figures and we feel it’s important to reflect a healthy body image in our fashion shoots.

“Given that our retailers provide fashions for everyone, it’s only fitting that our latest Pavilions fashion shoot represents beauty in all shapes and sizes.”