Chubby Vogue Diva #2 Reloaded

In Studio with Nomsa Buthelezi

Doing it Like she was Born to do this.

IMG_9840_1 camera used : canon 60D lense: 60mm Club Inc in Braamfontein

Chubby Vogue Diva #4

My name is Nozibele Duze, commonly known as “Riri” amongst my friends and family.

I am 31 years of age.

I was born and raised in Eastern Cape, eNgcobo where I spent most of my childhood and teenage years living life to the full. I then moved to Cape Town, where I pursued a job and worked there till I decided to resign from my job and move to Johannesburg to be closer to my current partner. I have been here since.
Being big is simple for me, it means being Bold and Beautiful. I have a strong personality so that oozes out, and my confidence shines.
As a young girl, I was actually skin and bones, tiny waist, tiny body, tiny everything, but as I approached my eleventh birthday I Started putting on weight and the way I looked at it, it’s a family gene, because most of my family members are big and chubby. It’s Simplicity at its best.

As a big girl, I was obviously teased a lot at school, by my peers, strangers and basically anyone who looked my way, I would cry myself to sleep, because I was young, I couldn’t handle it, nor learn how to deal with it, but as I grew up I learned to stand up for myself, with that embrace my weight. Confidence was the key thing towards accepting myself as I am.

I first saw the images of others Chubby Vogue Divas on Facebook so when Charmain approached me I was excited but skeptical at the same time. I was afraid but I came none the less with my sister to the shoot, because I could not miss out as I am a Diva Myself. I wanted to show the world that big girls can do it too and even better. That we are just as capable despite our weight. The Photo Shoot was Glamorous, with all the lights and cameras and the gorgeous garments, I was a true Diva indeed.
My advice to the other Chubby Vogue Divas out there is to love yourself, be confident, and always put yourself first above all.

My Gratitude

I started a journey of self discovery and self love

My body has always been an issue for me, I remember when the Fat -Attack was first introduced, on my lunch break I went to buy a pack this was in 2004. I came back with my package all excited and my manger, who was a white male took and washed it down the sink and gave me a lecture of my life.I still did not understand why would he throw the only thing that could make me look good, make me acceptable in society. I was a size 40 then and I have been fluctuating from size 40 to 44, but since 2012 I have managed to stay at a size 40.

Thank You.

A month ago my manager got us to go on a Healthy Living Lifestyle, who is a black female.

Which was not necessarily a diet but watching what we put in our mouth. To encourage a healthy living lifestyle amongst ourselves to encourage us to take walks and exercise not for weight loss but to be healthy. We all got motivated, started a whatsaap group where we would shared images of our meals and show off our curves. We had a group leader, who sent us our weekly eating plan, who bought our breakfast and lunch, who motivated us every day.

Thank you.

I met Semole Mooka while I was doing a job for one of my clients, after the interview I had a chat with Semole who is a fashion designer for plus size women about my project Chubby Vogue Divas, who was delighted to come on board.Thank you Semole for dressing my Divas. Your Support has been amazing. Your garments do justice to the Full Figured Divas.

ttp://revelationdress.tumblr.com/http://twitter.com/revelationdress

Thank you.

My Team

Akhona Hailele – Lights

Nqobile Zungu – Lights

Smangele Hegeni – Organiser

Lebo Mtshiswa – Wardrobe and Make up

Zandile Makhubo – Coordinator and Make up

Lynne Carrol – assistant

Thank you for a wonderful 5 days of hard work full of laughter and love.

I know I can be hectic at times but you guys support me throughout.

Chubby Vogue Divas would not be without your ongoing support.

Thank you

My Divas

I’m speechless for the support from the models who came through and gave it their best in the beautiful clothes. The confidence you posses is amazing.The four days were full of fun and laughter.

You all rocked the shoot.

Thank you

Behind the Scenes