Plus-size models to meet demand for fuller figures

Vicki Mooney, once a size 32 and morbidly obese, will later this week launch V+ Models — Ireland’s first plus-size model agency. The mother of three said V+ Models would fill a gap in people’s lives for healthy role models with a fuller figure.

“We will work with clients to show their clothes fitting real women, the same women who make up 42% of the market.”

She expressed regret the life-saving obesity surgery that gave her a second chance in life was no longer available at Dublin’s St Vincent’s University Hospital.

The HSE said gastric bypasses are suspended at the hospital because the annual cap on such operations had been exceeded.

“There are some girls and guys who will not make it to next year without the operation that I had,” Vicki told 2fm’s Ryan Tubridy yesterday.

“Before the operation I was on social welfare. I couldn’t work because I was so overweight and I had an awful lot of issues. Now I am paying taxes and creating jobs.”

Catch me in studio with Ryan Tubridy on @RTE2fm after 10am talking @Vplusmodels launch amongst other news! #vplusmodels

— ✨ Vicki Mooney ✨ (@CurvyVickiM) June 16, 2014

Vicki, an emotional eater, once ate seven ice cream Mars bars in 15 minutes because she was so upset. “I did not taste one of them — it was my-go-to thing — my comfort blanket and it satisfied me.”

After shedding 14 stone and dropping to a size 16, Vicki went on to be one of the country’s best known plus-size models and stylist.

“Normal is about a size 14 but the fashion industry dictates that if you are a size 12 upwards, you are plus sized.”

V+ has 24 professional size 12 and 14 models. Vicki said they could be role models for younger women because they were all perfectly healthy.

She recalled the first time someone said she was overweight — she was 17 years old and weighted 17 stone.

“I was out dancing with my friends when a guy came up to me. I thought he was going to ask me out but it turned out he was acting on a dare from his friends.” The man made a rude reference to her chest size. “My heart sank; it was so demoralising.”

Vicki still loves chocolate but otherwise maintains a very well-balanced diet. “I don’t feel guilty about eating chocolate at all because I am pretty healthy. A friend suggested taking the food supplement, chromium, to curb my sugar cravings and it has worked — I have lost a pound and a half in two weeks and that’s amazing for me,” Vicki said.