Introduction:
Quite a while back, I started an interview series on my blog. But it got too time consuming so I stopped indefinitely. Especially because I was still a student at the time which I wanted to focus on. However, recently Paige reached out to me. She wanted to share her story about how she became a content creator. And the fact that she makes content about plus-size fashion really resonated with me. I’ve been vocal about my struggles with growing up larger than most of the people around me. People sharing content about being plus size really helped me when I was struggling with body image issues. And I thought sharing Paige’s content here would also help those struggling with body image issues like me.
Paige writes content about fashion, beauty and everything related to those niches. Those niches tend to very much focus on smaller sized people and I think what Paige is doing sharing content about plus sized fashion is really awesome. And of course, I’ve looked through her pages and she looks awesome! So Paige and I decided an interview would be a fun way to share her content with you guys.
So without further ado, here is my interview with Paige:
Interview With Paige:
- Hi and thanks for being a part of this interview! Please tell us a little about yourself.
Hi! Thank you so much for having me as part of your interview on your blog. I am a content creator also known as an “influencer” but I’m not overly keen on that word as I think it generally gives people a bad impression. And people seem to get the idea that an influencer is “full of themselves” or thinks that they are “gods gifts” but that couldn’t be more far from the truth. My real name is Paige but I go by the name @raising_ajs on my Instagram. People often ask me about my username and why it is so different to my real name! I have two children both of their initials are A & J and I am literally “raising” them therefore I am Raising_ajs! I am 24 years old and I live in England Derbyshire (UK).
2. What inspired you to start creating fashion and beauty related content?
I myself am a size 16 UK which is considered plus size by a lot of fashion companies, when it comes to shopping online with very popular and common clothing sites, I have noticed the model is your very typical “super model” body which is fine! I don’t agree with body shaming regardless of a person’s size. However, because these sites only show the clothing on one kind of body it’s hard to imagine what it would like on your own.
For example, endless times I’ve really liked a fashion piece which has been modelled on a size 8 UK so I’ve ordered it for myself. I’ve come to receive the product and, on my body, it looks nothing like it did on the model. This is really annoying and disheartening when I have to send a piece back, it literally makes me question “why isn’t my body good enough” “why can’t I wear pretty things like everyone else”. In an ideal world clothing websites would show every piece of clothing on all size for example one set of trousers on a size 4, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 UK+ etc. Obviously, I doubt that any retailer would have the budget or time for this. I have noticed more recently brands have been making videos of what some of their products look like on all bodies, making the clothing inclusive which is great!
3. What got you first interested in beauty and fashion? Is it something you’ve always loved? And What do you enjoy most about creating content online?
So, I have always had an interest in fashion, I did think about pursuing a fashion designer career when I was back in college, having said this I also wanted to be an astronaut when I was little but that’s a whole other story! Haha! I enjoy making content it’s actually a hobby I love styling outfits and sharing photos of them on the internet with others, I guess you could almost compare what I do to ‘Art’. I create something and like to share it! And, I also enjoy partnering up with brands discussing the briefs for the assessment they assign me, if they want me to make a video/reel, feed posts, story posts, what the theme is for the content its actually really fun. It’s also nice to know that you have helped bring exposure to little brands and small businesses to help them become more discovered and to help send traffic to their shop hopefully increasing their sales.
4. Why is it important to you that plus sized bodies are also represented in the fashion world?
I myself massively struggled with my body imagine, when I was younger, I always wanted to look like a Victoria’s secret model around this time I was a size 10 UK. And I used to sit and think for hours ‘why is my body like this’ ‘why am I so big.’ I’m not going to lie I have cried over the way my body looks in the past. I was constantly trying to diet, I would take diet pills, replace meals with diet shakes, exercise for hours and hours until I felt physically poorly, and would also try to fill my body up with water instead of food. Obviously, this is very unhealthy and would not recommend this to anyone. As a young girl surrounded by these body standards it was very lonely and depressing, I actually think I developed body dysmorphia. You’d never catch me uploading full scale photos of myself because I hated my body, I never wore short sleeve tops or shorts, if I went swimming, I would wear a t-shirt over my swimming costume because I was so insecure about my weight.
My own personal dark experience made me realise how important it is that the fashion industry is inclusive with all body types. I think of myself back then I was around 15/16 years of age and it makes me sad that there might be other little girls out there struggling with their weight and I don’t want them to feel alone or like their body isn’t good enough, I’m just trying to be the person that I needed at that age, you know.
5. What has your experience been like as a plus sized person creating fashion and beauty content? And What are some of the difficulties you have faced as a content creator?
Honestly the experience has been super fun so far. I must admit through from my personal outlook it does appear to be harder to become a content creator when you are ‘plus size’. I have experienced brands that don’t do past a size 14 UK which is a little upsetting, I guess. Or the brand does very little ‘plus size’ clothing, I’ve noticed some tend to do very frumpy looking clothing for people of bigger sizes or they’ll do mainly sweat pants and hoodies which again is fine, but not very inclusive, I don’t like to feel like because my body is bigger than the beauty standards require that I can’t wear clothing that makes me feel good and sexy.
I know there are fashion retailers that are just for ‘plus size’ people which is great, it’s good that someone’s not forgotten about us and recognising we still like to look good in the clothing we wear. Although I wish regular clothing retailers would cater to this so that there doesn’t have to be shops exclusively for ‘plus size’ people.
6. What are your future goals for your social media pages and blog?
My goals for my Instagram is simply to show how clothing fits on a bigger body such as myself. Because like I said previously, fashion retailers only show one size which is usually of smaller scale and then the item comes in the post, you try it on and it looks totally different on your body than the models on the website. I have before found a fashion piece that I’ve liked on a website and I’ve searched the product online before buying it to see if I can find if someone of similar size that’s already brought the product has shared a picture so I can see if it will look right on my body type. And, I want to show others than you can be a bigger size and still look and feel good, I don’t want anyone to feel less than perfect people of their size and weight, I don’t want anyone feel like they’re in this alone. I want to spread body positivity across the internet. I feel like I can finally ‘own’ my body and feel comfortable in my skin.
Regardless of anyone’s size no matter which end of the scale they fall at whether that’s small or big, you have the right to own your body. Every body is a good body! No one should feel ashamed or not good enough because of their appearance obviously this is something that’s a lot bigger than weight it’s also applies to many different bodies and any physical differences that a person may have. We all need to support each other and that’s what I try to show through my content. Also, social media can be so bad sometimes a lot of it is fake and photoshopped which is setting unrealistic beauty standards I don’t photoshop my pictures, it’s my real body obviously I edit my photos anyone content creator who says they don’t is probably lying! ill maybe whiten the background and enhance the quality but apart from that it’s my unedited body. It’s really important to familiarise yourself with real bodies.
7. What has been your favourite look in 2022 so far?
Okay so at the moment I am loving that they’ve brought trench coats back into fashion, I use to have a trench coat when I was in school and I HATED it I use to think it was so annoying how long it was, how wrong was I! I’m also really into beret’s (hat) at the moment they can really change an outfit and they bring a very chic vibes when wearing them. I’m really loving those long knee length boots that are recently new at the moment they’re usually in beige or white, I’ve only just managed to get some as they were all sold out in my local shops! But again, wear what you want, OWN your own style don’t try and fit in, stand out, break the rules! “Well behaved women rarely make history” – Laurel Thatcher Ulrich.
8. What do you think of the new “super skinny” trend that’s making a comeback?
This is something that really worries me, especially within relation to the struggles I had back when I was a teen. I think it can be really dangerous and unhealthy likewise as being “obese” is. I don’t believe body weight should be a trend and can have a very bad impact mentally as well as physically. One of my AJ’s is my daughter and I wouldn’t like her to feel the way I did I would like to try and protect her from that.
9. Thanks so much for being a part of this interview. Please feel free to add anything else you would like to share with my readers.
Thanks again for having me, it’s so nice to be heard rather than just referred to as an ‘influencer’ I’m hoping that this will help others come to terms with their bodies and love themselves for the way they are. It’s also important that we set this example for future generations. I also just want to let others know I’m here if they want to reach out with regards to their self-image issues.
Thanks,
Paige x
You can find more content from Paige using the links below:
I hope you guys take a minute to check out her content and support Paige on these platforms too.
Disclaimer: This interview with Paige was a very specific one I wanted to share. I am no longer offering interview opportunities at the moment.
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