Twenty seven year old Marianna Krystew is determined to bring plus size modeling to new heights over seas. Determined to break into modeling she decided to move from her homeland of Warsaw, Poland to London. In Poland the modeling agencies refused to work with a plus size woman or anyone over a size 6! Her persistence led her to begin building her book while shooting with some fabulous photographers. Armed with amazing pictures she looked for representation in London where she was well received. Now two years later she continues to work as a stylist and model.

[Maddy] Tell me about growing up. Were you a curvy little girl? Where did you grow up?

[Marianna] I grew up in a beautiful house with a beautiful garden, near Warsaw. I used to behave more like a menacing boy than a good girl when I was a kid. I climbed trees; raced bike’s and played with cars. The only typical girly thing I used to do was dance, which I totally love even now, and I used to sing songs with my imaginary microphone.

I did not know I was a curvy little girl back then. My parents had trouble knowing what to feed me but their intensions were always good. I used to try to avoid eating lunch when I began to get a more feminine look in my teenage days, but even then it was hard to call me “plumpy”. I simply had more voluptuous breasts and hips, and that fact was the reason for my concerns and never ending diets.

Unfortunately this is when teenage girl is surrounded by all these magazines covers with very skinny models, and one can't make difference what's good and what is not. What is real, and what is just simple marketing trick (then I never knew about the existence of computer programs like Photoshop).

Now days I don't use any diets anymore, I make care for my figure but without going too far. For sure I am not spending much time before the mirror or in the fitness. I dance a lot (belly dancing, salsa), I ride my bike, I ride horses. And all that helps me to keep good body shape.

(Photo courtesy of MTV)

[Maddy] When did you decide you wanted to be a plus size model? [Marianna] There is no particular reason for my decision to become a model. Plus modeling is not popular in Poland. I remember how I felt the first time Sophie Dahl was on the cover of Vogue Magazine. I also read BBW Magazine and admired Stephanie Zehr’s advice to me – she wrote to me directly. I believe these two women sparked my interest. [Maddy] With so much adversity what has been your motivation this past year? [Marianna] This is still the beginning of my modeling career and I know that there is still a long way to go.  I’m stubborn and know that I can achieve my goals. That's it. It is hard to explain, but everything that I want. I have :) It is only a matter of time.

You said "I admire Liv Tyler and Carrie Otis, for being curvy. My favorite model is Helena Christensen and Liv Tyler, and I don't like Sophie Dahl any more because she behaved like a traitor. Have you seen her? In size 6 or 8? Embarrassing..."

[Maddy] I love how passionate you are about who you are and the women you want to represent - how did you come to this point? Was there someone in your life or a special time in your life that helped you to see that being beautiful is not determined by what size you are?

[Marianna] It's hard to be a tall, curvy girl among small, thin friends so that's why it was very hard as a teenager to accept the fact I don't have the body of ballerina. I had to choose, to accept this or to live life full of diets, to risk developing anorexia or to become bulimic. It was not easy, especially when one hears all the time that you have potential to be a model. To many the skinny woman is always synonymous of the beautiful woman.

So I used to starve, torture myself, and the result was that I lost weight, but I felt bad, and I started to look bad as well. I had to make a choice and as eventually I realized I took the right road.

Now I can tell say that I’m proud of my curvy figure, I’m not ashamed to ask and buy clothes in 12/14 sizes in the store, to wear tight jeans, short dresses and I don’t hide in the crowd.

I have one thing to say to the people that still think that only the slim is beautiful. Just look at Liv Tyler, Carrie Otis or Drew Barrymore. They don't wear clothes in 4 size or 6. I think that definitely more girls like these must get coverage in the media, cinema, television and fashion.

[Maddy] What is your advice to other aspiring plus models?

[Marianna] Belief in yourself and your inner and outer beauty is very important. I’m afraid I cannot give too much advice to anyone because I feel I’m still in beginning of my modeling career. Ask me that question next year – my response will be a lot different.