Well HELLO THERE!!! It’s that time again… It’s the day we get to spotlight another BEAUTIFUL Professional Plus Model working hard in this industry…
Meet the absolutely Beautiful, Queen JOJO WEST.
We have following this beauty since this photo 
broke the internet within the Plus Size Community last year. We saw it and screamed… “YOUUUUUU BETTTTA Be EVERYTHING in this Swimwear!!!!! ” This Swimsuit by Bjuled Couture looked amazing on her. Love Love LOVE!! So we caught up with the Beautiful JoJo for a quick interview.. Check it out below….
So Beautiful.. tell the world of Full Figured Fierce who you are and where you are from.
My name is Johanna but my model name is Jojo West; I was born and raised in Miami, FL, I lived in the DC area for 10 years and I’m now back in sunny South Florida.
Yes, We love Florida can’t wait to get back. So let’s dive right in, How long have you been modeling?
I started modeling at the age of 4 when my mother entered me in my first pageant. I continued to model into my early teens, but stopped because my self confidence took a hit and I ended up with an eating disorder. I started modeling again 5 years ago, this time as a plus size model.
Well we are so glad you are back , Slaying the scene as only JoJo can. So we hear you have a lot of major events coming up? Tell us about them.
My calendar is quite full through September, I love it! Aside from some upcoming photo shoots, I have several runway events. On June 12, I will be walking for Plush by Dames N’ Diamonds, a plus size swimwear show in Orlando, FL. Then I will be participating in 1426 Curves Swim Week in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, June 23-25. In July I will be traveling to Houston, TX to participate in Fashionable & Thick, then traveling to Washington, DC for Curves Rock Fashion Weekend. I was super excited to be chosen to walk for the event. August will take me to Myrtle Beach, SC for the AutoImmune Metro Style 2016 show. I’m currently waiting to audition for the Walk Fashion show in Miami, and for Small Boutique Fashion Week during NYFW as a model for Bjuled Couture, the plus size swimwear line for which I’m the brand ambassador.
Now THAT is what we call , BOOKED! So we have been seeing alot about the Embrace Your Curves Expo? Give us all the low down on the Expo.
The expo is a work in progress. We’re currently in the planning stages of creating a large trade show style event focused not only around fashion, but also on health, both physical and emotional. As someone who has spent many years of her life in the fashion industry I know how it can make girls and women of all ages and sizes feel. The profits from the event will be donated to the charity of the participants choice. They can choose between St. Jude Children’s Research hospital and The National Eating Disorder Association. There will be several vending opportunities, musical performances, panels, and a runway event.
Party with a Purpose, that’s what we love to see in this community. We will be getting some more information about that to the Full Figured Fierce world soon. This is something everyone needs to support. So, What is your favorite thing about modeling?
I love the versatility. As both a print and runway model I get to do two entirely different things. With runway, I have the honor of wearing different styles and represent the hard work and vision of each designer. It’s an incredible experience. From the stress of being chosen to that final moment when you walk of the stage and actually breathe! With print work I can express my own individuality and creativity. If I’m collaborating with photographers on my own themes I get to create the type of art that I would display on my walls, and when working on more editorial material I get to create art and material I can share with a broader audience.
So, you and I are both model coaches. Being a model coach, how do you feel about the growing number of aspiring models who believe they do not need training?
The thing to remember is that there’s more to being a model than having a pretty face or a certain body, and there is always room for growth. Every good model I have met has had some form of training, whether at an academy or with a coach. A model not only needs to know how to walk a runway and pose her body, but she needs to develop her facial expressions while posing. Facial expressions are a lot harder than most people think. It’s easy to do the basic: happy, serious, and “sexy”, but when you need to do angry, sad, frustrated, tired, scared, confused, etc. many girls draw a blank. Then there’s things like understanding the industry, the way designers function, what’s expected of models, how much time and money you’ll need to invest, where to start, and how to handle yourself around industry professionals. Those are all things you learn through years of being in the industry. The benefits of working with a coach is that they pass on that knowledge before you even start which makes a huge difference in how you advance in your career.
Absolutely, there is so much more to this than being a pretty face.
Jojo, Where do you see yourself in 5 years in this industry?
In 5 years I would like to have had the honor to walk in Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week, have been published in a major print publication and/or a major plus size publication. I would also like to be well established in the fashion event planning business, putting on my own runway events and trade shows. Finally, I would like to have my own agency, with an integrated and varied list of represented models.
We think you will accomplish every single one of those dreams. It’s in the atmosphere now, no turning back now. In the process, you will be an inspiration to so many young women to come after you. Do you believe the rise in awareness within the Plus size community will continue?
I absolutely believe it will continue to grow. For a long time people have been voicing how they feel about the lack of diversity not only in the fashion industry, but the entertainment industry in general. When the average clothing size for women is in the double digits, the industry needs to recognize that the majority needs to be represented. With models like Tess Holiday and Ashley Graham making groundbreaking achievements, it’s hard to deny that change is happening.
Do you have a dream designer you would love to walk for? If so, who and why?
There are so many incredible designers that I can’t pick just one. There’s two designers I’ve been following since I was a teenager: Oscar de la Renta and Valentino! They have been around for so long and throughout the years they continue to create beautiful pieces.
Precisely.. He is quoted saying “I always say in my role as a designer is to bear, to do the very best I can for that woman, to make her feel her very best.” Oscar De La Renta I think he definitely achieved that goal in his life.
So, on to some GIRLY STUFF… What are your go to beauty products?
I have very sensitive skin and because of that I’m very particular about the cleaning products I use on my face. I use the Ultra Facial Oil-Free Cleanser, and Calendula Herbal Extract Alcohol-Free Toner from Keihl’s. Moisturizing is very important, so I use botanical kinetics™ hydrating lotion from Aveda. As far as makeup goes, I am a huge Kat Von D fan, especially her Everlasting Liquid Lipstick and Lock-it foundation, which is perfect for photo shoots.
I’m going to have to try that moisturizer. It is extremely important during any season.If you weren’t a model, what else would you see yourself doing?
I would probably still be involved in the arts. My family is very artistic. My father and uncles all play musical instruments, and sketch. My sister paints and dances. I used to dance and play the piano, it’s just in my blood. I imagine that if I didn’t have the creative outlet from modeling, that energy would likely be focused on sketching and painting, which I enjoy.
So, What is next for the Beautiful JoJo West?
I’m working on making new connections and partnerships in Florida. My plan is to expand my portfolio and do more commercial work with plus size brands. I will be working on expanding the Bjuled Couture brand, which I’m very involved with, to take it to a national and perhaps international level. I also have plans to start a cafe/restaurant with my husband in the next few years, so there’s a lot I’m working on.
Thank you so much for stopping by Full Figured Fierce, JoJo West. We salute you and wish you nothing but the best on all your upcoming shows, your Expo and let us know when you hit that runway in New York Fashion Week. We know you are going to make that happen.
You can follow JoJo’s journey on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Tumblr.
Check her out on a runway near you ..
Full Figured Fierce 