C
ould there be a better way for the Canadian plus-size
fashion industry to wrap up 2017 than with a Vanity
Fair-style photoshoot? Hardly, considering the shoot
includes over a dozen of Canada’s favorite high-profile
models, as well as some stunning first-timers.
Project Red is the brainchild of Daniela Lombardi and
her partners in Canadian Curvies. Founded earlier this year,
Canadian Curvies (Lombardi, Catherine Field, Sarah De Melo
and Yolanda L.) strives to promote representation, visibility
and body positivity. Lombardi explains how it all came to b e:
“We created a group we call Canadian Curvies, the four of us,
with all different sizes and different looks. We started this body
positivity group. We invite all women and we particularly try to
support Canadian plus-size models.”
After launching in July with a photo shoot - the results of
which were seen internationally - Lombardi wanted an ‘end of
the year’ venture that helped tie it all together. That’s when
Project Red was born. “I said to the girls that I’d really love to
use up-and-coming curvy models from the Toronto area. There
were so many of us, but we managed to narrow it down to 14
people, including the four of us. They’ve all agreed to be a part
of this. We got Toronto photographer Katiuska Idrovo and we’re
trying to recreate the Vanity Fair-look, but with all of us in red
dresses.”
With a full slate of Canada’s most recognizable models on
hand, the results promise to be remarkable. Canadian Curvies
member Sarah De Melo says she couldn’t be more stoked about
Project Red: “Daniela came to us with the idea of the Vanity
Fair-style shoot and we’ve been helping her with her vision. We
thought it would be great to have all these curvy models - some
who are also models in New York and Los Angeles - to come
together for this. It’s super exciting!”
Echoing that sentiment is Curvies member Catherine Field:
“When we launched we did a ‘red’ shoot with photographer
Ronnie Lee, inspired by Ashley Graham. The four of us were all
in our red bathing suits. That’s when we established who we
were, what we believe in and so on,” Field explains. “Today is
essentially leveraging the red theme, but we want to include
Canadian models who we feel represent and inspire us.
Everyone who is here is a professional and a role model. They all