Monday, November 12, 2012

What would happen to blue if we all loved pink?

     I am a big believer that beauty comes in all sizes, shapes and colors, but it wasn't always my belief. I was born and raised in Brazil. By growing in between those skinny pretty girls, I learned very well the meaning of social pressure to lose weight.
      Before I was 18, I had already tried Atkins’ diet, fruit diet, moon diet, Dunkan’s diet, weight watchers, nutritional help, psychological help, medications to reduce appetite, medications for depression… You name it, I probably tried. I also became bulimic (I actually tried to be anorexic, but I was too hungry to stick with the plan), first, I would induce vomit and then, I just had no control. In the beginning, I lost very little weight, and later, I lost no weight at all. I guess bulimia wasn’t the solution.

    In 2005, I left Brazil and moved to Canada. My goal then had nothing to do with fashion, in fact I had no clue on how to get dressed. Long story short, I met a great man, got married and never left Canada.
     In 2008, I started working as a plus size model. That it is when I started to learn how to choose properly my clothes, my perfect fit, my colors...
     The big change in my life came with my bulimia treatment. I started a program at Douglas Hospital for eating disorders. The journey was really long and torturous. But, for the first time, I was not getting treated to lose weight instead the goal was learning to love, respect, and accept myself. It was a difficult and interesting program. Eventually, I got discharged from the program with all the tools that I needed to change my life for the better. And I did.
     By then I understood that I didn’t have to lose an ounce to look stunning, all I had to do was love myself and learn a few tricks. Soon I was able to dress myself as I deserved. I decided that I had to do something for others like me. I went to New York, did an Image consultant certificate at IRC with Dominique Isbecque and I am also taking it at FIT. When I felt ready began helping people around me. First my family, then my friends, friends of friends and now I want to help you!