AS I write this I’m about to tuck into a chicken kebab with a healthy portion of hummus on the side – and I’m on a photoshoot.
That’s one of the joys of my job —
Page 3 is pro-curves, so I can eat, work, enjoy and be happy.
And it looks like up-and-coming model Chloe Hayward is a girl after my own heart.
You might not recognise her name yet, but you soon will.
'We are not perfect' ... Lacey says she and her Page 3 pals embrace their curves
This month the London-born beauty graces the cover of Italian Vogue Beauty — and puts curves firmly on the front page.
With her sultry looks, fabulous figure and 30FF bust, the 24-year-old is being hailed as the British version of statuesque Sports Illustrated US model Kate Upton
Chloe, who was spotted aged 16 trying on shoes in Topshop and signed to Next Models in 2009, has a refreshingly healthy attitude to the industry.
Cover girl ... Chloe Hayward
Talking about body image she has said: “Eating is life. I love cooking for my friends and family and I would hate for any young girl to be deprived of that happiness.”
I absolutely adore her pictures in Italian Vogue Beauty.
Shot by top photographer Ellen Von Unwerth, they are stylish, fashionable and ooze sex appeal.
And when curves look this good, why is there any need for size zero models?
Us girls are sick of seeing sticks in our magazines, we want to see real women with meat on their bones.
I find it quite depressing flicking through the pages of some titles. And if that is how it makes
ME feel — someone who not only embraces their curves but also makes a living from them — then how must it make more self-conscious people feel?
I hate to think of my five-year-old niece growing up surrounded by unrealistic and unhealthy images of minuscule models.
But finally the fashion industry seems to be cottoning on.
Models like Chloe and Kate are paving the way for a more positive era.
Role model ... size 12 Sports Illustrated US model Kate Upton
Chloe has said of Kate: “If anyone is doing well in their work and promoting a great body image which is healthy then I’ll always congratulate that. I think it’s especially important for young girls to see a realistic image of a woman who is happy, and Kate looks great.
“It’s hugely flattering to be compared with someone like her.”
Clearly Chloe is delighted about being pegged as the British Kate Upton — and I would be, too.
Kate is a huge success story in my eyes.
Kel of a body ... curvy model and TV presenter Brook
The American beauty has racked up covers for US and British Vogue and a huge ad campaign for Accessorize. Yet she was once told she wasn’t good enough to model for Victoria’s Secret while they signed super-skinny stars like Adriana Lima.
At the time, the lingerie firm’s casting agent made this rather catty comment about Kate: “She’s like a
Page 3 girl.
“She’s like a footballer’s wife, with the too-blonde hair and that kind of face that anyone with enough money can go out and buy.”
Obviously this statement went down like a Slim-Fast shake with me — not well.
Skinny ... River Island model in Georgia Hardinge range
I find it so frustrating that we
Page 3 girls are accused of being bad role models when actually we promote a healthy body image. We are all different shapes and sizes, we aren’t perfect but we embrace our bodies.
I have a 30FF bust and a 30-25-34 frame — us girls should be celebrating the way we look and striking a balance between being happy and staying healthy.
But things are getting better. Australian model Robyn Lawley is a plus-size star, Kelly Brook is a great curvy pin-up and Tara Lynn is another Vogue cover girl with serious curves.
Aussie rules ... size 14 model Robyn Lawley is another success story
It’s not just the fashion world that is broadening its horizons.
Hollywood is enjoying booming busts and booties with stars like Mad Men’s Christina Hendricks flaunting her curves. Then there’s Jennifer Lopez, Beyonce and Christina Aguilera working it in the music industry. These are the modern women we want to emulate.
Recently in River Island I was confronted by an image in store of a shockingly thin girl modelling the Georgia Hardinge range.
I thought: “Wow, is that what this shop think us regular customers want to look like?” Well, guess what, big brands, you’re more likely to sell your clothes if you show them off on real women — that is what we can relate to.
Red hot ... Christina Hendricks's voluptuous size 16 figure had viewers hooked on TV hit Mad Men
Alpha Press
The message is clear. The stick insect look is dated — heroin chic might have been big in the Nineties but this is 2013.
And with models like Chloe Hayward being at the forefront of fashion, the pro-curves movement will keep getting bigger.
myView
By KELLY BROOK
IT’S fantastic that models like Kate Upton and Chloe Hayward are flying the flag for curvy girls in the fashion world.
A real woman should have curves. It’s sad that so many young, impressionable girls are faced with images of seriously thin models and think this is the way they should look.
Having an hourglass figure, boobs and bum is all part of being a woman. Size zero is over. Lots of girls say they admire my figure and, to me, that’s the most important thing.
Young women should have role models who aren’t constantly on diets and brainwashed about fitting into tiny clothes. I dress to accentuate my curves, like Marilyn Monroe did. She oozed glamour with her shapely silhouette.
My New Look underwear and swimwear range offers pieces for busty beauties so a large range of sizes are catered for and there is something for everyone.
I am proud of my curves. I hope this marks the beginning of healthy figures in fashion.
Lacey was talking to SASKIA QUIRKE
