“I’ve gone from modelling to a body advocate and just being able to tell girls, “here’s my story, here’s what I think about my body, you can take my advice or leave it but I still want to hold your hand throughout any situation you go through because I want you to know you have that person in the world to kind of look up to and go, “you know what it’s ok to be you, it’s beautiful to be you.” Hayley Hasselhoff.
Hayley Hasselhoff is a proud plus-size model, actress, the daughter of David Hasselhoff (of Baywatch fame) and has found herself part of a movement that’s slowly changing the fashion world.
The fact is if you wear an Australian dress size of 10 or more you are considered plus-size in the fashion industry; that’s 85% of us sisters!
We are the ones buying the clothes, so why are the models selling it to us representing 1% of the population?
Martine Harte: Hayley you represent a LOT of women walking around in society yet the fashion industry has put a ‘plus-size’ label on women who wear your size and up do you find that weird?
Hayley Hasselhoff: I look at it with positivity and light because I started out as a plus-size model (she signed with Ford at 14) so I’ve just become someone who loves that word. I think it’s like everything in life; it’s the way you perceive the word; the way you look at it. That’s all the really matters, I look at it with positivity and you know I’m comfortable. I can’t speak for everybody.
People are starting to understand and accept the average size for what it is which I think is really cool and I’m excited to be part of it.
People are reportedly still accusing plus-size models of “glamorising obesity,” that seems absolutely ridiculous to me, what do you say to that?
Hayley Hasselhoff: I don’t think we’re glamorising obesity at all, I think we’re doing the complete opposite!
Curvier models are making being “plus-size” much more relatable to the younger demographic; we’re actually trying to help encourage everyone to feel confident in their own skin.
There’s no less of an expectation as a model to not take it as serious as a straight size model would.
We just had the first curvy-couture runway show in Melbourne
As long as they feel beautiful themselves, that’s all that matters.
I have two daughters so it would be nice to have a greater range of people reflected..
Hayley Hasselhoff: I don’t think it’s just the fashion industry, I think it also crosses into the magazines which say, “How to lose 10 pounds in a week” and they don’t know the age of the readers!
You don’t know who’s picking up that magazine, you don’t know how young that girl is who is reading that magazine it could be really harmful to their body. There are so many factors that come into play; all we can hope is that the voices (in society) are telling young girls, “you are beautiful.” It’s really important to find their own opinions for themselves.
I’ve gone from modelling to a body advocate and just being able to tell girls, “here’s my story, here’s what I think about my body, you can take my advice or leave it but I still want to hold your hand throughout any situation you go through because I want you to know you have that person in the world to kind of look up to and go, “you know what it’s ok to be you, it’s beautiful to be you.”
I think the plus-size movement is just another hump we’re getting over to freedom and equality.
Having watched your dad on Baywatch and seeing Pamela Anderson and the bevy of beauties, I’m now embarrassed to admit but I used to wish I had that type of figure. How did you deal growing up in that world?
Hayley Hasselhoff: You know I never thought of it like that way.
I was really, really young. I grew up on the set of Baywatch; all I saw was my dad helping people doing something that they loved and were passionate about. I never once looked at people and felt bad. I think it was installed in me from a young age to always look at people for the heart that they show and the love that they give, instead of what they wear or who they are. It just never crossed my mind. I look at this question with confusion because that never crossed my mind at all, not even once.
I’m so pleased to hear that, I really am. If you were 14 do you think that would have been different?
Hayley Hasselhoff: When I was 14 I was modelling, so I saw people who were toned with curves. It’s not like I looked at their bodies differently either. I looked at them with love and thought, “wow they’re so great.”
Of course if a girl walked in with a bad attitude and was rude I would look at that. I’m more of an energy person, how people show their heart and their love and their kindness. I’m very thankful. I look back and think my parents did a good job with me and my sister.
HOOK UP WITH HAYLEY:
http://instagram.com/hhasselhoff/
Want to read our full story with Hayley’s Australian agent Chelsea Bonner pop over here