Elegant  /  Inspirational  /  Vivacious

Candice Christian is a single mom who is currently studying to obtain her degree in dramatic arts with a focus in musical theatre. She currently resides in Central Florida but is originally from New York. Candice has been in the industry for many years but says it wasn’t always easy!

Candice once had a hard time in the industry due to the lack of body inclusiveness. Many agencies would tell her she was “too big” to be a plus size model and that no agency would ever hire her. But, that never stopped her! She now has 3 agency’s and 3 managers she works with. Candice is so thankful to see the industry opening up to the idea of normalizing all body types.

Candice has been on national television, commercials and shows, and has been published in over 25 different magazines internationally. She is one of the editorial team members and the social media manager for FabUPlus Magazine and is the director of Bold Brand Management. Candice is an award winning plus size model including winning the Fashion Gala Awards “Best Plus Model” title in 2019/2020. She has also walked in New York Fashion Week for over 4 seasons and has emceed 3 New York Fashion Week shows and countless other stage productions. 

Candice has recently been doing more emcee work recently since her personality fills any room! Candice does print, commercial, fit, editorial, and promotional modeling. She has worked for brands such as Mac Duggal, Lane Bryant, Dress Haute, EBY, Laylah Rose Couture, Nickelodeon, Publix, Amazon, Rainbow Clothing, Pure Romance, Unique Vintage, and many more!

Candice also has been involved in pageants most of her life. She is currently your Ms Curvy Plus Florida Legacy US. Her former reigns include Miss Starstruck National 2018, USA National Miss Central Florida 2016, and countless other titles. Candice also owns Candi Crowns Productions where she produces local pageants to help young girls be confident in themselves and knowledge on the importance of giving back to their community.

Starting up her online boutique, Kween Kloset, during a pandemic hasn’t been easy but she still is succeeding! Candice began her own store, Kween Kloset, www.kweenkloset.com , when she saw a lack of sexy and youthful plus size clothes. Kween Kloset offers clothes for sizes S-3X. Her collection will be shown during New York Fashion Week in February. Candice loves to help other people feel beautiful and couldn’t think of a better way than this!

Candice believes everyone is beautiful and worthy just the way they are. She hopes to inspire others through her shop Kween Kloset, her production company Candi Crowns, and her professional modeling and acting career. Be sure to follow her on social media to stay up to date on all of her amazing adventures!

Instagram - @candi_m_and_ms

Facebook - Candice - Performer

TikTok - @candi_m_and_ms

Kween Kloset Instagram - @thekweenkloset

Candi Crowns Instagram - @candicrowns

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Moevir Magazine December Issue 2020featured edition

[Lady In Lace]

https://www.magcloud.com/browse/issue/1887816

Wardrobe Stylist: Candice Christian  @thekweenkloset

Female Model: Candice Christian @Professionally Pretty, EF Model Management, Bold Brand Management, Envy Talent @candi_m_and_ms

Hair Stylist: Michele Christian @mamastarzx3

Photographer: Ocala Life - Ralph Demilio  @ocalalife

Fashion Designer: Livd Apparel @livdapparel

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Tell us something about you. Maybe your life, profession, habit, dream.

Thankfully my life, dreams, and profession are all the same thing. My mom always said “Do something you love and you will never work a day in your life. For me, I love being able to inspire others. So if that’s being the only size 20 model in a magazine, or dressing woman in my brand Kween Kloset, for events and fashion shows,

What makes you choose this profession?

I love my work which has always been my dream and my vision. The Simonetta Lein show and being a host is where I feel the most accomplished, meeting fellow artists, A list celebrities who are humble and are willing to inspire others. I love fashion and I love people as well. I feel accomplished especially through my charity work with The Wishwall Foundation and through paying it forward. There is nothing that I’d rather be doing.

In modern society, lots of people want to be famous, influential. What do you think about it?

I don’t think I really picked this profession. It sort of fell on my lap and began to snowball. I’ve always loved being on stage and performing. I couldn’t imagine my life without it! I continue to do this profession to be an inspiration to young women, like 8 year old me never really had the opportunity to see. I remember always wanting to see a beautiful, voluptuous, and glamorous woman in the tabloids and all I saw were “Worst beach bodies” where celebrities with 2 dimples in their bikini photos were cover page newsworthy. Now we see beautiful plus size bodies on cover stories, like myself on this one, or Lizzo on Vogue, Tess Holliday on Cosmopolitan UK. Iconic moments in plus size history that 8 year me would’ve looked at now and said, “Wow that looks like me, I can do that too!”

Could you share how you expand your vision of art, fashion?

As a model, you are always having to think of innovative ideas and styles. I tend to rely on fashion magazines and local artists. I love going to local art fairs just to sit back and soak in the emotions and vision the artists are trying to portray. Fashion and art are ever changing and there is never a right or wrong way to do it! Which I love, the vision is endless.

What will be the suggestions to new photographers?

Most importantly to have respect for other photographers Who are trying to accomplish the same goal. Many times new photographers become overzealous and try too hard. The one thing I’ve learned from the photographers that I deal with is that etiquette is necessary in the world of photography.

Is art, fashion important in your life? Why?

Fashion is such an important part of self identity. Fashion really has helped push me to be more comfortable in my own skin, but also to help others do the same. When I see myself in something that expresses me and feels fashionable, I feel uplifted. When I dress someone else in my Kween Kloset collection they also feel more confident. It truly is an art form and emotional outlet.

If you have a superpower or talent, which one do you wish to have? Why?

Oh man, I would definitely want to be able to teleport. Then I could time travel, disappear quickly, pop up randomly when needed, and FINALLY be on time for everything!

Do you have any problems with your profession? How did you solve it?

This may be a long one…..

As a plus size model, I’m given problems on a daily basis. Whether it's a brand or agency thinking I’m “too big”, or “too small”,  nasty comments on Instagram, or “body positive/plus size” designers excluding me from events, I have seen and been through it all. For example, I had a designer, who is a plus size designer mind you, tell me I don't have a good body shape/type for the collection. You just have to stay persistent and remember just because one door closes doesn’t mean another won’t open. After the designer dismissed me from her New York Fashion Week show I went and talked to the producer. 

They told me the emcee was stuck in a snowstorm and would not be making it on time. They wanted ME to do it!!! I went from being a model that would be seen in 20 seconds of the show to talking to everyone, on stage, the whole show. NEVER let anyone tell you NO. Because unfortunately even plus size designers aren’t always as body positive as they may seem.

Also, the fashion industry as a whole, I think, is still rather new to the idea of “real” plus size bodies. When I say real plus size, I mean woman like myself who shop in the plus size section. Normalizing all bodies in fashion is so important and hopefully isn’t just a trend in the industry right now. 

We are seeing more shows like Versace and Chromat where real bodies are being used in high fashion, luxury, runways, and campaigns. I think a lot of brands will also try to say they are “size inclusive” but will only go up to or market models that are a size XL. Which in actuality is excluding most women consumers in the USA. 

In the US, the average size woman is a 16/18 or 2X. So if the brands are marketing to America, and not selling plus sizes, they're missing out on almost all of the average US woman. I’m thankful to see the industry opening up and seeing people like myself as high fashion and luxurious.

Although it can be tough, I will continue to be a trailblazer for all plus size humans to follow.

In modern society, lots of people want to be famous, influential. What do you think about it?

Since my Instagram has tripled in the last 6 months, I will say, it is not always a dream. With good comes bad. Trolls and haters come out of the woodworks! On the other hand, you will also meet a lot of “fake friends”. People who will just hang out with you for the clout. It can honestly be exhausting. BUT, being able to positively influence others have always been my dreams and goals and I will never let anyone stop me from achieving that. So if that is your goal too, go for it! Just remember there is an ugly side to this beautiful industry.

To become famous, what kind of qualities do you think the person should have?

Consistency, determination, and drive. If you have that, you can do and be anything you want.

What will be the suggestions to new models?

Shoot as often as possible. You never know who could be watching! I would also say to work on building content for social media. Modeling is not just modeling. You must be able to sell and market a brand to your audience. If you can’t sell your brand on your own page, why would anyone hire you to sell their brand. It is so important to be a well rounded salesperson. Also, STUDY. STUDY. STUDY. Look at fashion magazines, how the models pose, watch fashion shows on Youtube, watch the different walks and styles. Industry knowledge is SO important.

How do you prepare your new shoot?

A lot of physical prep starts days before a shoot. I also make sure to do my eyebrows 2 or 3 days before so my face isn't red. I also like to do a mask the night before so my skin looks nice and fresh! There is also some mental prep too. Like figuring out the mood of the shoot, what do you want to achieve emotionally for the viewer. I’ll also sometimes do quick movement refreshers and flip through some magazines or record myself moving around posing to see what might work and what might not.

Where does your inspiration come from?

Inspiration comes from everywhere for me. It could be a flower I see on the side of the road, or a little outfit one of my 3 year old sons toys are wearing. Inspiration for me also has come from emotional traumas I’ve dealt with in the past like my brother and father passing away. Sometimes you don’t always need to use happy emotions or thoughts to be inspired. Some of my best work has been inspired by negativity that I’ve turned into inspirational positivity.

What are the most difficulties during your shoots?

Personally, I think remembering to let go and just relax is one of my biggest struggles while shooting, especially during creative shoots. I warm up rather quickly to the camera but I also like to try new things and have fun.

How often do you create new works?

I try to continue creating daily. If it's not an editorial photoshoot, it’s a published article, or creating and posting Instagram and brand content. I think if I wasn’t constantly creating I would not be as established as I am today.

What is the most important thing for creating new work?

Creating for me is a self expression. So I hope to evoke some time of emotion within someone when they look at my work. Since I really dabble in a little bit of everything, I also want people to look at it all and think, “Wow, she is a “Kween” of all trades”. Never do I want anyone to feel like I have only given or shown them half of what I can do. My artistic expression through modeling, fashion design with Kween Kloset, pageantry with Candi Crowns, and of course any and all performing arts talents I have like singing, dancing, and acting, should be a way to show you who I am and why my story and every other person's story is important.

Do you have that feeling? When you have a look at the work you created 1 or 2 years ago, you still think it is in fashion.

Oh absolutely, now 10 years ago may be another story!!!! I think my style has really evolved into a very classy and timeless look within the past 5 years.

Will you still create new works when you are old?

You couldn’t pay me enough money to stop me from creating. This is my passion. When you are passionate about something you will never get bored or tired of doing that thing. I mean, I am only 25…. I have a LONG way to go!!!! Be sure to follow all my social media channels to stay tuned to my Instagram in the year 2060. I promise it will be great! IG: @candi_m_and_ms