PLUS MODEL MAGAZINE September 2015 Latin Issue | Page 82

interview
with

cover model
NADIA
PENA
By Madeline Jones

Our beautiful cover model Nadia Pena came on the scene twelve years ago and unknowingly
empowered plus size Latinas everywhere, after being seen working for brands such as Perry Ellis,
Macys, HSN, as well as magazines such as Grace and Figure.

Now a mom and seasoned veteran, she is excited to share and participate in the exciting changes
happening for Latinas in the plus size community.

Leading up to this issue, you and I have spoken at length about how different the plus
size modeling industry is today as opposed to when you began. What are the biggest
differences to you?

As an industry, we have made much progress. I’m so proud to see how far we’ve come and I’m
excited to see what’s next. When I first started, I remember the clothes were located on the last
floor of a department store, in a little corner without much advertising or display. Now, clothes are
fun and the marketing is full of personality. Companies and designers are even creating lookbooks,
giving us ideas on how to be more creative and play with color combinations and fashion trends
that we would have been afraid to explore otherwise. Also, there was no social media!