British Style Bloggers

Introducing... Joshy - model, actor & new BSB staff member

Amy C Thompson — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:16:01 +0000

Hello, hello! Well, today, we have a very special post. We're introducing a new member of our team. His name is Josh, he's a model, actor, and just about everything else, and, yes; he's American. We know we're British Style Bloggers, but we want international opinion to make this campaign work, and Josh had so much to say that we couldn't resist!

You can catch his first column here on Thursday.

Image: HERE

Tell us a little bit about yourself!

Where do I start? I'm extremely busy seems like at ALL times. I'm a Model. Writer. Actor. & Singer-- In that order. I'm signed openly with 4 agencies around the country (& looking for more outside the U.S.) and I travel around frequently for live shows, photoshoots, etc. I've been published many times as well, even in foreign countries. As a writer, I have many projects going on. I work fulltime publishing articles for a Medical Tourism company. I'm also working on getting a TV sitcom off the ground as well as a full-length movie. Sadly, both projects are in a stage where they can't openly be talked about. Recently, I've done work on a couple "Indie films" but I've been in talks working on making it into Hollywood. I plan to produce an album as well, eventually. Vocally, I sound a bit like Adam Lambert with a little Darren Hayes or Daniel Bedingfield thrown in-- but my style is a mix of Lady Sovereign & Lily Allen. Unfortunately for me, however, I've been way too busy to put more focus into my last two endeavors but I like to conquer one thing at a time. 2 down, 2 to go.

We asked you to join our team because of your enthusiasm for the Body Image cause. Can you tell us why it means so much to you?

Body image is something I've secretly battled most of my life. However, I've never dealt with eating disorders or anything like that. I love food. In fact, if i had an eating disorder it would be that i eat TOO MUCH! My answer to body image is basically something we all must just get over. I feel as though nobody seems to be happy with the way they look-- by getting plastic surgeries, or even mildly complaining about it off & on-- nobody's happy! I was no different. I'd never thought I was all that gorgeous to look at but I'm comfortable with myself and the way I look and I think I happen to take great pictures. I've never been completely HAPPY with the way I look, but I'm comfortable.

How did you first get up the guts to be as unique and original as you are?

I have tons of drive. A lot of self inspiration. And basically I'm out to prove I can do anything. And in order to do anything one must do.everything. Plain and simple. :)

You've obviously got tonnes of confidence! Have you got any advice for others who may be struggling with that?

Like I mentioned before, it all comes from within. You have to be happy with who you are inside & what you're doing with your life. Once you're happy, it will show. People will sense that something about you as well-- you'll have that mysterious edge. Self confidence is a very powerful thing.

Can you tell us a little sneaky tiny bit about what your column's going to be about? We're really excited!

I'll tell you a little. I don't want to give it ALL away, right?! :) Fashion and self-awareness. I'll start my path with a little how-to find your own individual style, then teeter-totter back and forth with Fashion and Self-Awareness. Obviously what I have to say is all very positive so I'm sure it'll all be very uplifting.

Don't forget to check back on Thursday for Josh's first column!

Alex Roots chats about Body Image in the music industry

polkadotstripes — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 09:45:29 +0000

Alex roots is a singer/ songwriter from London, though she is only 17 she has achieved a lot, a record deal and an almost complete first album as well as supporting McFly, Calvin Harris and the Sugababes. So how does she feel about her body and body image in such a body-conscious industry? I interviewed her to find out.

Image from Alex's Myspace

At such a young age how do you feel about your body?

I feel like any other teenager, I have my insecurities but I look after myself- I go to the gym three times a week and eat well- I know it’s important to look well, but never fake.

Would you say you were a positive role model?

Yeah I guess so, I like to stay real and not get too obsessive about my body. I actually have a song called “Calorie Junkie” about the media and body image. I’ve found a lot of girls have been able to relate to it.

How do you dress for your shape and image?

I go with what I know suits me and flatters my shape. I wear a lot of dresses with blazers and waist belts. I also love heels and a lot of accessories so accentuate the positives and keep my style individual.

What do you think of the issue of body image in the industry?

I understand that it is important to look good but to have the right balance- I’m not to big or too small- So I hope that girls can look up to me.

Who are your body role models?

I love real girls with curves like Scarlett Johannson, J-lo of course, Katy Perry and Kimberly Walsh from Girls Aloud. But my absolute favourite is Penelope Cruz, she’s got a fabulous shape!

What do you love about your body?

Without sounding raunchy I’m going to have to say my boobs… they’re just the right size and look good in a dress. I also like my waist and stomach, as they’re trim and toned.

What do you not like so much?

My legs, because when I was younger my Mum and Dad used to call me tree trunk legs - they were chunky all the way down! But I’m ok with them now.

How do you overcome self-consciousness on stage?

To be honest when I’m onstage I just get this feeling inside of me, I get into the persona - as do others, and when I’m having the time of my life I don’t have time to worry about how I look!

Talking Body Image with Franca

Amy C Thompson — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 12:32:08 +0000

A while back I had the privilige of talking to the wonderful Franca of Oranges and Apples about her views on body image - here's what she has to say!

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your blog!

I love colours and creativity in all its guises. I would describe my blog as a personal style/craft blog: I post about my outfits, my knitting, charity shop finds, art, design and photography inspiration and I try to do a bit of thinking about the ethics of fashion too.

You must be pretty confident in your body to post as many outfit shots as you do - have you ever felt insecure about this?

I don't think I've ever felt insecure when I was posting. I was quite old by the time I started posting (to the wardrobe remix group on flickr initially) and by then I had worked through the body insecurities I had when I was younger. Although saying that, iIm not actually that confident in my body, I have the same worries about the size of my thighs or whatever as anyone, but I am pretty confident in my style and ability to choose clothes that make me look good and are right for my body. Also, when you post outfit pictures, you can choose the best pictures, and if I really thought an outfit made my body look terrible, I just wouldn't post. Or take pictures in the first place, since I only post what I love and am proud of - my blog isn't a place for daily outfit pics.

...or recieved negative comments about it?

To be honest, I don't think I have. On my blog, everyone is really positive. I've very occassionally got negative comments about my clothes on flickr, but not my body.

How do you find so many different outfits every day?

Like I said above, I don't post every day. I typically post only one or two outfits a week, usually from the weekend. I want to make sure that whatever I do post is something that I am proud of and that is interesting and different from what I have worn before. I do put a fair amount of thought into those outfits, I just enjoy thinking of new combinations, it's the little daydreams I have while sitting on the bus or climbing stairs. During the week I usually wear nice, but not particularly interesting office clothes, and I repeat outfits all the time. I just don't post them.

What advice would you have to anyone who is feelign insecure about their body?

I think it really helps to focus on all the things your body does for you every day, like hold you upright, let you walk places, pick things up etc., that have nothing to do with how it looks. We take them for granted, but just imagine how much harder life would be if you couldn't do all these things! I'm not at all one of those people that says 'love your belly' or anything, but I do think we need to appreciate the functional mechanics of it much more. Our bodies are awe-inspiring machines, really! I've found that thinking about it this way puts in perspective the worries about our bodies' appearance.

The other advice is to find a form of exercise that you love. I hated PE at school because I can't hit a ball to save my life, and all throughout my late teens and early twenties, the exercise I did was all going to the gym type stuff, which I did to control my weight, but didn't really enjoy, so it became just another thing to worry about. Now I do lots of yoga and swing dancing, and its so different! I enjoy that for itself, and the calorie-burning thing is secondary. The right kind of exercise makes such a big difference, because it makes you feel great, you become more in control of your body, so it stops being this thing to love or hate and starts being a part of yourself. And you discover all these things it can do! Which kind of links back to my other point about bodies being practical tools - my thights might not look very nice at all, but they are strong!

Do you have any advice about confidence and body image to offer?

I've struggled with disordered eating and over-exercising as a teenager and in my very early twenties, and my personal experience has been that body issues have been a result of an underlying issue in other parts of my life. It has been much better for me to put the effort into sorting out these other areas rather than trying to overcome my issues by working on my body through changing my diet exercise etc. As I've become more confident and in control in my relationships, education, career etc, I've naturally become more confident in my body, without ever directly doing anything about that specifically. That's been my experience anyway.