RAIA MARIA-LAURA

curvy model & photographer

We had the chance to take an interview, with this strong and ambitious lady. We hope you enjoy this one, we really do and we have a lot of respect for Raia !

Hey Raia,

Thank you to take time to answer the following questions. We really appreciate that. You are recently a curvy model. How did you become it? Was it a dream come true or did it just happen?

"It was not my dream to become a curvy model cause i really hated to stand in front of a camera. The last weeks everyone was like ‘ omg you have a beautiful face, you should do something with it so i started thinking about it and said ‘ why not “. "

You are also a photographer, we looked at your pictures and you had the chance to meet a lot of celebrities. How is that going?

"It was really weird in the beginning because I only saw them on social media or on tv but now I’m getting used to it cause they are just normal people like us. Also cause i’m not a starstruck person and you can not be starstruck in this business, it is not professional."

What would you like to do for a living, a curvy model or photographer or something else?

"I would like to combine the two of them! I think it is important to do something you love for a living and I love these two things."

What do you want to transmit to people with your photos and shoots?

"Through my photography i want people to feel the emotion of the picture. If a picture doesn't transmit any emotion than I take it as a fail. With the curvy modeling side, I want young girls to be confident in their body and that you don’t need to be a size zero to fit in this industry."

Do you try to bring self-acceptance in your posts? Do you pay attention to which photos you choose to post?

"I choose photos that I like. I will never post something that I don’t like on my social media. I want people to see who I really am and not a fake image. If you see a bikini photo it is because I was confident that moment and want people to feel confident with their body."

What do you hope to see changing in the fashion industry?

"I want more curves!!!!!! But I think it is on the way because Ashley graham is changing the game and I love her! "

The fashion industry is hard, how do you handle negative reactions?

"I didn’t have any negative reactions yet cause i’m just starting but I think you should only focus on the good reactions and ignore the negative cause that’s how you will move forward."

Guilty pleasure: what is your favourite food and snacks?

"PIZZA AND CHOCOLATE!"

Do you follow a diet?

"Not at all, I stopped doing that. I just eat healthy food and when I wanna please myself with a pizza, I JUST DO IT. And I do lots of workouts!"

What do you try to transmit with these pizzaemojis and quotes underneath your Instagrampictures?

"Stop pushing yourself to do a diet, enjoy your life. Pushing yourself to do a diet won’t make you happy. Eat Healthy and please yourself sometimes cause that is the best way to do it."

Why is this so important for you?

"I did a shake diet in the past. I was happy because my body was changing but I wasn’t mentally happy. I was obsessed with losing weight but I don’t have the type of body to fit in a size zero so I quit. It was the best choice ever cause now I can inspire people with who I really am, eating healthy and pizza whenever I want and taking care of my body without using shakes and being obsessed with losing weight."

What or who inspired you to think that way?

"No one, I think I just mentally grew up and said to myself that I didn't need a size zero to feel beautiful. And maybe a little bit Ashley Graham cause her confidence is life! "

What could we do in your eyes, to feel happier in our skin and in front of a camera?

"Workout, eat healthy but PLEASE yourself. Have fun with the camera and play with it. Do it everyday and you will get used to it."

What is your motto or most important lesson in life?

"Do what you love, believe in yourself and you will achieve anything you want"

With whom person would you change your life for a day and why?

"Ashley Graham to feel what it’s like to be THE CURVY MODEL OF THE MOMENT. To inspire people with being yourself. "

What would you like to tell all girls and women? Do you have some advice for them?

"Take care of yourself, believe in yourself. Don’t be insecure because you don’t have a size zero. Some body types are just not made for it and others are. Inspire people with being yourself and most important, enjoy every day of your life by being you and be happy with who you are. "

What are your favourites shops and beauty brands to look amazing every day?

"I really don’t use make up actually so I really don’t know but my favorite shop is definitely Zara and thrift shops for sure! Oh and I love sneakers!"

What are your future projects?

"I can’t tell more about it cause but certainly bringing my photography to a next level and leveling up with curvy modeling."

Thank you very much for your time Raia and we wish you a lot of success for the future!