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Welcome our new Technical Design Assistant!
Hello, I'd like to introduce you to our lovely new Technical Design Assistant – Anneliese Pugh!
Welcome to the Curvy Kate team! Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I'm 22, originally from Northampton and recently graduated from De Montfort University Leicester, with a Degree in Contour Fashion.
Congratulations on finishing your degree, must be a relief! Have you always been interested in lingerie? How did it all begin?
When I was a girl, around 12/13 years old, I couldn't bear to shop for lingerie, I couldn't find fun and well-fitting lingerie for my plus fit figure, resulting in low self-confidence, and poorly fitting lingerie. After a few years, I decided that there was a gap in the market for fun, flirty and amazing lingerie for women of all sizes and ages and decided to study Contour Fashion, a course which specialises in lingerie, swimwear, sportswear, nightwear and corsetry. While studying in my first year at University, I discovered Curvy Kate! After trying on the Portia bra I knew that I wanted to work for a fuller-bust brand as the difference that a well-fitting bra can make a person feel is amazing and I wanted to help change this for women of all ages.
I totally understand where you're coming from, I also used to struggle as a teen, to find bras that fit. Other than gorgeous lingerie what else do you think a girl shouldn't live without?
No girl should have to live without, nights out with their friends and plenty of gin!
Hahaha! The AW13 range will soon be available; do you have any personal favourites in the collection?
I think they are all absolutely beautiful, but my personal favourites would have to be, Rosie Scarlet Print, and Daisy Chain Black! Particularly Daisy Chain, as I have never had a plunge bra fit so well!
I can't wait for all the gorgeous AW13 bits to be available, I've got my eye on the whole collection! I'm sure we'll catch up with you again soon and keep our lovely readers updated with new products and ideas!
Talking with Star in a Bra's Miss Butler!
Hi lovely readers!
I hope you're still getting those curvy snapshots in for Star in a Bra 2013! We've had an amazing response so far, we're absolutely loving the curves! Keep them coming!! #WeNeedYourCurves (#Excited!)
Amidst all the fun and the thrills of the Star in a Bra 2013 launch, I found a lil' time to catch up with our 2008 Star in a Bra finalist – Laura Butler! Fantastic for all you aspiring Curvy Kate models!
Why did you enter Star in a Bra?
I opened an email and saw the competition posted back in 2008 and I knew straight away that I had to enter. I had always, and still do, love the Wonderbra 'Hello Boys' advert with Eva Herzigova and dreamed of doing exactly what she was doing and I thought that this was my opportunity to do so, so I went for it. I acted on instinct which is me all over and it served me well.
How confident were you about your look/curves before the competition?
I have always appeared to be confident person. I danced from the age of 3 and when you are on stage confidence is a must so you learn to hide nerves well. I think for most of my life I faked confidence by being loud and out there and one day it turned to real confidence. I am not sure when the transition was but I am glad that it happened!
How did you feel after your win?
I never actually won. I came third! I was in the first ever 'Star in a Bra' competition and it was on a much smaller scale back then. I was in a clothes shop when I got the phone call from Hannah Houston, Curvy Kate's Marketing Manager , telling me that I had come 3rd and I was over the moon. First, second or third I was just glad that I got to take part in a photo shoot for a magazine – to say I was excited is an understatement. It was so surreal and my family and friends were so proud. I didn't think I would make it that far in all honesty so the fact people had voted was amazing but I just knew that this was the start of something fun!
How do you feel now?
Years later I feel like I have gained a lot of friends. Curvy Kate is like a family and when you come in as a model you get treated as part of that family. It is still a relative small company for its age and as I have been with them from the beginning I feel like a protective big sister! I work with them as I believe in their ethos so I am proud to be a part of that.
Has it changed you at all? If so how?
Working for Curvy Kate has definitely changed me. It has developed my skill set as I can now bra fit (which generally drives my friends and family crazy)! It has developed my confidence further, my people skills from working at trade shows, improved my body awareness from being on photo shoots and improved leadership skills as I help to train stores on Curvy Kate fitting and bra fitting. Personally, it has given me life experience and enriched my life. Not many people can say they have fulfilled a life dream and I have.
Has it changed how you view your body – if so how?
Becoming a lingerie model has definitely changed how I view my body. I am now perfectly happy with the way I look and no longer strive to change who I naturally am with dieting etc. Some people are big, some are small and some are in-between. I am that in-between person – not skinny yet not what people would call big. I have come to realise that 'perfection' doesn't exist as beauty is in the eye of the beholder. When you realise that you become content and that is what I am. It has taken years of reading people's views of me to realise that – some people love the way you look and some people hate the way you look and that is just not me – it would be the same for everyone. The world would be boring if we all looked the same!
Which is your favourite part of your body – why?
I love my smile and teeth. People have different ideas on what perfection is but I think my teeth and smile are just that for me. It is a nightmare on photo shoots when they are 'non-smiley' though as I struggle with a 'sexy' look! Ha. I was just born to smile and I think it is when I look my best and happiest.
Has this changed from before and after the competition?
I hated my teeth when I was younger so I think this has developed since the competition!
Have you ever found your body/look hard to deal with?
Yes. I was flat chested up until I left senior school and then developed. I found it hard to deal with the change so quickly and still struggle to dress them. The only good thing is that I have the correct fitting lingerie…. That is half the battle!
Have you ever been criticised or bullied for how you look?
Never. But I think I have always seemed too confident and bullies generally bully those who are 'weak'. I would never have given anyone a chance to bully me about my looks. I am far too outspoken!
Has this changed over the years?
No. I am who I am. I have just got more confident as I have got older. Plus I don't think words would bother me either. As I said, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
What's the best thing about being a curvy model?
The photo-shoots, the laughs and giggles with the girls and ultimately the lingerie! It is so gorgeous and I get to see it before the public!
What is the best thing anyone has said to you about modelling?
That I helped them to overcome their body issues and gave them confidence!
Are you glad you entered?
110% yes. It is one of the best things I have ever done!
Would you like to model full time?
I don't think I would. I work for Curvy Kate as I believe in their products, brand and ethos but if I worked full time I wouldn't be able to just work for companies that I liked. I therefore love the fact I can be fussy!
Do you love your full time job?
I adore it… if I didn't, I wouldn't do it.
Is it nice having this on the side to do?
Of course. I like variety and it enriches my life. I wouldn't be the same person without it and if I didn't have it in my life I would feel lost.
It was so good catching up with Laura and getting her opinion and experience knowledge on Star in a Bra! I hope reading this has motivated you to flaunt those curves and it has also encouraged you to continue to love yourself in the skin you're in! As Laura mentioned above, beauty is in the eye of the beholder – I couldn't agree with her more!
If you didn't catch our lovely Laura in the national and local papers, a couple weeks back, below are a few of the papers she appeared in! Go Miss Butler!!…..
From Top left to right: Daily Express, Daily Mirror, Daily Star, Birmingham Mail and Metro
Celebrate those curves today by entering our Star in a Bra model search! Enter here!
A day in the life of: Curvy Kate's Sales and Marketing Assistant for France, Magali Ancelot
Hi all! My name is Magali and I'm Curvy Kate's Marketing and Sales Assistant for France and Belgium . Whereas the rest of the team are based in London, I am located in an office in Lyon, a lovely city located halfway between Paris and the French Riviera.
Concerning the marketing part of my job, I am working to develop Curvy Kate's notoriety over in France. Daily this consists in RP's and handling the Curvy Kate France page on Facebook and Twitter. I would love to hear a bit more about you guys and your opinions on Curvy Kate there!
Alongside that, I'm also working on the coordination between Curvy Kate and their distributors, through prospection, handling customer's orders and any help they may need. I work really closely with the Curvy Kate team, especially with Overseas Order Processor Valeriane.
Finally, I am also finishing my Master's degree in International Management, sharing my time between University and my work for Curvy Kate.
Bonjour à tous ! Je m'appelle Magali et je travaille en tant que assistante marketing et commerciale sur le développement en France et en Belgique de Curvy Kate. Contrairement au reste de l'équipe qui se situe dans les banlieues londoniennes, je suis basée à Lyon.
Comme vous l'avez compris, mon travail s'axe autour de deux missions principales. En tant qu'assistante marketing, je suis en charge de développer la notoriété de Curvy Kate. Au quotidien, cela consiste au développement des relations presses et à la gestion des pages Facebook et Twitter de Curvy Kate France.
En tant qu'assistante commerciale, je suis en charge du développement et de la coordination entre les distributeurs et Curvy Kate. Cela passe par de la prospection, un peu de vente, et majoritairement la gestion des commandes et des demandes des revendeurs auprès de la marque. Au quotidien, je suis très souvent en contact avec l'équipe Curvy Kate, et tout particulièrement avec Valériane.
Enfin, à côté de tout ça, je suis en train de finir mon Master en Management International à l'IAE de Lyon, partageant ainsi mon temps entre les cours et mes missions chez Curvy Kate.
The best thing about my job:
As long as I can remember I have always been interested in fashion. Even as a little girl, I loved watching fashion shows on TV and reading Vogue, Elle or other magazines.
As you could probably guess, working in the lingerie industry is my dream job, and this is even better with Curvy Kate. In only 3 years and thanks to a dynamic team, this young brand has been developed over Europe, USA and Australia, and has seen its work rewarded a few times at the UK Lingerie Awards! Being part of this adventure is particularly enriching and motivating.
Furthermore, I particularly love the brand ethos. To me, Curvy Kate's campaigns (Star in a Bra in particular) are a breath of fresh air in an industry where the silhouettes of the models are quite far from ours.
Depuis toute petite, j'ai toujours été très intéressée par la mode. Ainsi, en travaillant dans la lingerie je touché un peu au job de mes rêves, et c'est d'autant mieux chez Curvy Kate. En effet, en seulement 4 ans et grâce au dynamisme des salariés, cette jeune marque a su se développer en Europe, aux USA, au Canada, et en Australie ; et ils ont vu leur travail récompensé à plusieurs reprises aux UK Lingerie Awards ! Faire partie de cette aventure est une expérience vraiment enrichissante et motivante.
De plus, j'aime particulièrement les idées transmises par la marque. En effet, les actions de communication axées sur l'acceptation de son corps et qui promeuvent des silhouettes voluptueuses, sont selon moi une vraie bouffée d'air frais dans un secteur où les corps des mannequins sont bien souvent très éloignées des nôtres.Ca nous décomplexe et c'est un vrai bien !
The worst thing about my job:
Ladies, this is confession time. Lately I have a huge crush… on the Portia Seafoam, the new Portia fashion color for Spring and Summer 2013. We received it at the office in June. I have tried it on, and now it is stuck into my mind. I am dying for this set and can't wait to be able to have one! Being so close to great products which I can't quite get my hands on right now is quite frustrating for a shopping addict like me.
On another hand, and as you read just above, a part of my job is dedicated to social network. As a Twitter addict, I have to admit that sometimes I am getting a little bit distracted from my task.
Mesdemoiselles, passons aux confessions. Dernièrement, j'ai eu un coup de foudre… pour le nouveau modèle Portia en bleu pastel. Seul problème ? Il fait partie de la collection printemps-été 2013. Nous l'avons reçu au mois de juin au bureau, je l'ai essayé, et depuis je ne pense plus qu'à mettre la main dessus ! Cependant, il n'est pas disponible avant le mois de janvier, et je vous avoue que l'attente d'achat pour une accro au shopping de mon genre est plutôt difficile.
D'autres parts, comme vous l'aurez peut-être noté ci-dessus, une partie de mon travail s'effectue sur les réseaux sociaux. En tant qu'accro Twitter, je vous avoue que parfois je me laisse un peu trop tenter et distraire de mon travail.
10 pointless facts about me:
- I am from and have been raised in the middle of the mountain, in a ski resort call Megève. I have learnt to ski as soon as I have been able to walk, and never stopped since then.
- You can recognize my laugh between a thousand, it is unique!
- I have managed and taken under control my habits of buying things I actually never wear…
- …Even though, I have quite a large collection of shoes.
- I lived in Scotland for one year and I loved it!
- I cannot say "squirrel" or "owl" properly. I have tried so hard, but it's never worked.
- I need to exercise at least 1 hour per day, otherwise I'm way too excited – maybe due to my significant consumption of coffee?
- I am a HUGE fan of the Beatles.
- I am learning to speak Spanish. I still have a long way to go.
- One of my favorite meals: a baguette, cheeses and wines with my best friend. Yes that is a cliché, but in the meantime it is way so true.
- Je suis originaire de Megève, une station de ski de Haute Savoie. Dès que j'ai su marcher, on m'a mise sur des skis, et depuis je n'ai jamais décroché !
- J'ai un rire unique. Vous pouvez le reconnaitre parmi un millier !
- J'ai réussi à surpasser cette mauvaise habitude d'acheter des vêtements ou autres accessoires que je ne portais jamais
- …J'ai cependant conservé une sacrée collection de chaussures.
- J'ai vécu un an en Ecosse, et j'ai adoré .
- J'arrive toujours pas à prononcer en anglais : "squirrel" et "owl", même si j'ai durement essayé.
- Je dois au moins pratiquer une activité physique pendant une heure par jour sinon je suis beaucoup trop excitée. Peut-être est-ce dû à ma consommation de café quelques peu élevée ?
- Je suis une grande, grande fan des Beatles.
- J'apprends et j'essaie de parler Espagnol. Et ce n'est pas une mince affaire !
- Mon diner préféré : du pain, du fromage, du vin et des amis. C'est cliché mais c'est aussi la vérité !
Top 5 favourite Curvy Kate sets:
- Portia in seafoam
- Romance
- Gia in red or black
- Entice in black and gold
- Flirt (swimwear) or horizon halter neck with the matching bottom.
A day in the life of: Curvy Kate's Customer Service Admin Amy Davis
Hi, I'm Amy Davis, and I'm Curvy Kate's Customer Service Administrator for the UK and Republic of Ireland.
I process orders, check the status of orders, check warehouse stock and deal with any returns. In short, I ensure that all the stock reaches the stores safe and sound for you all to buy!
Until I got my job here at Curvy Kate, I didn't have a clue about my bra size. I was wearing an A cup when I'm actually a D! I was delighted when I was told this by the Curvy Kate fitting experts, as it meant I could wear all the fab Curvy Kate designs.
I have a customer service background, having worked at Camelot for the National Lottery in the past, dealing with all the lucky ticket winners. Unfortunately I never found myself amongst the list, so my shoe and handbag collection remains relatively modest.
I am originally from the Watford area, and I now live less than 5 minutes drive away from the amazing Leavesden Studios where they filmed the brilliant Harry Potter films. It goes without saying that I was amongst the first to go along to the behind the scenes attractions that they opened this year!
I went a few months ago, and as a huge HP fan I loved trying a pint of 'butterbeer' and seeing all the incredible sets. I'd recommend it to anyone even remotely interested in the films.
The best thing about my job:
The variety. There's always something new and exciting going on here, and no two days are ever the same. I love seeing all the new collections, new models and competitions – and need I even mention the UK Lingerie Awards!?
The worst thing about my job:
Let's just say, being surrounded by so much stunning lingerie is bad for my bank balance…
10 pointless facts about me:
- I have a freckle on my bottom lip!
- I hate roast dinners, to the dismay of most of my friends and colleagues!
- I've recently embarked upon the Weight Watchers diet plan and lost over two stone. I am feeling much more healthy and get so many compliments – but I miss my favourite food, Indian takeaway!
- I'm obsessed with Florida, and I've been three times and counting! In fact, I've already booked up to go again next year.
- I have and unhealthy addiction to bags and shoes.
- As a child, I had a rabbit named 'Bambi'. Everyone was confused why I didn't go for 'Thumper', and to be honest in retrospect so am I…
- I was a majorette for four years in my teens.
- I've never broken a bone in my entire life, and the idea of it fills me with fear!
- When I was younger I wanted to teach young children!
- I can't not have my nails done and have to visit the salon every 3 to 4 weeks without fail.
Top 5 favourite Curvy Kate sets:
I must admit, some of my 'favourites' I'm yet to call my own just yet, and some I'll even have to wait until next year to get my hands on! I couldn't put together a 'favourites' list without my two latest lust-haves: the gorgeous purple shade 'Tease Me', and the gorgeous pink print 'Lottie' from the Spring/Summer 2013 collection. Whilst I have a fair while to wait for those, I'm kept happy with the stunning new Autumn/Winter 2012 additions to the Showgirl collection. I love the new 'Entice' set – it really makes you feel a million dollars. I've got my eye on the blue and black 'Tempt Me', even though I already have it in all the colours… The new 'Smoothie' is the perfect choice for under a t-shirt or with outfits where you need a uber smooth shape, plus I love that leopard print!
Aussie Star in a Bra Revealed!
We've enjoyed getting to know each of the candidates and waited ever-so-patiently in the wings to hear who you've picked as your winner of Star in a Bra Australia 2012.
Star in a Bra has now gone global, and we've so excited to have completed our set of gorgeous girls for 2012!
And the winner is… Cassie Hayes!
Back in her top five interview, she told us: 'I want to be a positive role model to other women and show people that you can be confident, healthy and happy no matter your size, height, weight and so on! All women deserve to feel beautiful.'
'I think I should win because I would represent what it is to be a Curvy Kate girl- confident, happy and curvy!! I am a real woman with imperfections and flaws like anyone else, I have bad days but mostly I remember to just smile!! I don't need Photoshop or airbrushing to make me someone I am not. I appreciate natural women the most so with me, what you see is what you get!'
Well Cassie, we're happy to say that, girlfriend, you've done it! Congrats!
We'll see you in London in November…
A day in the life of: Curvy Kate's PR & Marketing Manager Hannah Houston
Hello, Hannah here! As a curvy girl myself it was always tricky to find bras I could act my age in. Most were too frumpy, boring and resembled boulder holders. My mum took me for my first bra fitting when I was 15 and I knew I never wanted to wear an ugly bra again. I have had some bad fitting experiences in my time, being called 'bigger' and 'wider'. Once I found there were bras out there to suit me though, there was no stopping my passion. I studied Fashion Marketing at University and in my 3rd year focused on Women's Body Shape and the D plus bra industry. I put together a new brand of D plus, pretty bras called 'Flirty Gertie' and mock shot, marketed and advertised the ranges. I loved this project and knew this was what I wanted to do. I still think Flirty Gertie has a better ring than Curvy Kate but who am I to say…
My life is pretty boob and bra filled most days but apart from that I love CocoMinx Chocolate cake, old men pubs and have just started cycling everywhere – god I am so geeky. I am the only girl in a family filled with boys (4 brothers in total) and think it's perfect that way. Being taught to play in the mud, eat as much as I like and watch rugby was a lovely start to life. I now live in central London and am trying day by day to keep my northern twang!
The best thing about my job:
Curvy Kate all happened very quickly but has been the best few years ever. I have met some really cool people and it feels more like a family than a place of work. In fact I wouldn't really call it work – looking at boobs and bums all day is a pretty fine way to make a living. I do love seeing our products in print though, although we're a new brand the big mags are now picking up on what we're doing and that's really rewarding. Oh I really like awards evenings too…dressing up and drinking prosecco is really tough.
The worst thing about my job:
Finding 10 amazing curvy girls in the Top 10 of the Star in a Bra competition and having to say bye to 9 of them. I want them all! Bring on the #curvearmy
10 pointless facts about me:
- I am excited to be asked to be my brother's best man in September 2013.
- I was born in Preston, where they havethe most church steeples in the UK.
- I can still do a crab and walk around, I try it again every summer.
- Montepulciano is my favourite wine. I think that Italy is the best place on earth.
- I look like a Lion in the mornings.
- I am very good at making fried eggs and risotto – not together as one though.
- I have the brain of a sieve and have to write every detail of my life down.
- I hate Thai food.
- I would love to live in Melbourne again with the Broadstons.
- I found a slug in my sink last month – it was very large and horrid.
Top 5 favourite Curvy Kate sets:
This is probably the hardest question you could ask me – can I have a top 10 at least? Ok, right, let's think about this. Well the 'Princess' is a favourite for sure and I'm always proud to wear my hot pink colour-way as it's the ultimate 'Curvy Kate' shade. The new 'Tease Me' in cherry is a fabulous colour, and again, the bra is such a CK classic. I'm pretty sure I've had every colour that has come out because I can't resist all the new additions! The 'Emily' in midnight and the 'Gia' in black have become my two 'every day' bras, and I love the shape and uplift that they give. Finally I'll have to say the 'Flirt' halter bikini, especially since I've been lucky enough to bag a sample to take with me to Ibiza when I go on holiday next week!
Star In A Bra Australia top five interview – Cassie Hayes
The sun is shining and we're being treated to our number one favourite thing – chatting with gorgeous curvy ladies! We feel like we know some of them so much better already, but we still have two stunners to hear from, so don't cast your votes just yet!
Next in line to tell her story is the fabulous Cassie Hayes.
Hi Cassie, so delighted to have you back again for the next part of the competition. The end is in sight, and it could be any of these girls! We've heard some gossip from your top twenty interview, but for those who want to hear a little more, why don't you tell us a little more about yourself?
My friends call me Cass, I am 21 years old and currently in my third year of an arts/law degree at the University of Tasmania. I have an older brother and sister and I moved away from Launceston, my hometown, to Hobart 2 years ago to study and currently live with a couple of friends from high school. We have far too much fun together and enjoy cooking and going out partying! My parents, extended family and many friends still live in Launceston so I try and get back and visit them as much as I can. I love sport; swimming, rowing, dancing and I play in a social basketball team with some lovely ladies. In my spare time I love to listen to music and read, have a glass of wine, anything relaxing really! I am a massive outdoors person, love bushwalking and getting out into nature. I am a huge fan of summer and hot weather and love to travel and adventure-I'm always keen to try new things! Recently, I travelled to Indonesia for a language course and it is the best place I have travelled so far. The laidback lifestyle, hot weather, friendly people and awesome food makes the whole place magical. It would be a dream for me to one day live in Indonesia, by the beach and continue to learn the language. I work at a pharmacy part time with some amazing people and I have a huge passion for health and wellbeing. My friends would describe me as outgoing, friendly and bubbly!
What sizes do you usually wear when it comes to lingerie? Were you refitted at the shoot?
I am a size 12 generally, and a size 12DD in bras. In some of the Curvy Kate styles I was refitted into a 12E but mostly, a 12DD fits perfectly.
Why did you decide to enter?
I decided to enter as I have always had body image issues and was inspired when a friend of mine, Bec, entered last year. I thought she looked gorgeous so I thought I would give it a shot too!! And here I am! Mostly, I want to be a positive role model to other women and show people that you can be confident, healthy and happy no matter your size, height, weight and so on! All women deserve to feel beautiful.
If that's not an amazing reason to get involved with Star in a Bra, we don't know what is! Good for you. How does it feel to be in the top five? How have your loved ones reacted?
It's amazing! I never thought I would make it to the top 5 with so many other gorgeous contenders. When I found out, I had to check again and it wasn't until I started getting texts and phone calls to congratulate me that it really sunk in! It was an amazing feeling and a huge confidence boost! I was unsure of the reaction I would get but my family and friends have been very supportive of me and I am thankful for that. Even strangers have come up to chat about the competition and are all very interested and positive about it which is great!
How did you feel before and after the shoot?
I was extremely nervous on the flight up to Queensland to take part in the shoot. I hadn't managed much sleep the night before due to excitement and nerves! Once I got there though I felt so at ease with everyone, everyone was so kind and ready to help. The photographer Andrew was fantastic and made me feel very comfortable. By the end of the shoot we were all prancing around in our underwear. I felt a million dollars on the flight home and even had a nice steward on the plane come and give me a gift- it was all very flattering!!
What were the best and worst parts of the shoot?
The whole shoot was awesome! I especially loved having my hair and makeup done professionally! I found the posing difficult to grasp initially but everyone was so helpful and I quickly got into the swing of it all. I loved meeting the other girls and watching them get their photos done as well. They all looked super beautiful and I felt so proud to be a part of it.
Do you struggle to find clothing and lingerie to fit your curves?
I used to absolutely hate bra shopping- my Mum can vouch for that! It is so difficult to find nice lingerie to fit my bra size but Curvy Kate fits me like a glove. Clothing wise, it is difficult to find flattering clothes sometimes. I mostly have the issue with trousers, always too big around the waist but don't fit my legs and tops fitting around my breasts.
We're so happy to hear we've laid to rest your bra shopping issues! Do you have any favourite Curvy Kate sets?
My favourite set is actually the one I wore for the suit and it is called 'Elegance' but I also love the 'Tempt me' and 'Tease me' sets! Mostly I just love anything feminine and sexy so it's not hard to find something nice in the Curvy Kate range.
What do you think defines a Curvy Kate girl?
Being a Curvy Kate girl is being happy with yourself and accepting who you are! It is all about being confident and letting that shine through any insecurities- we all have them! After all ''a smile is a girl's best curve''!!
We couldn't agree with you more. Hold your head high and you'll hold yourself better, your personality will shine through and you'll make a lasting impression for all the right reasons. Do you have any advice for people thinking of entering next year?
Do it!!! I honestly would never have imagined I could go this far and have such an amazing experience! It is a great competition, with a great message to send and I strongly encourage any women thinking of entering to grab a girlfriend, a glass of wine, take some cheeky shots and enter!!
What would be the best part of winning?
Winning this competition would be a huge achievement for me and I would be so proud to support such an amazing brand! I know my family and friends would be super proud of how far I have come and would love to see me win as well.
Oops, it's time for that all important final question… Why do you think you should win?
This is always a difficult question because the other girls are all so lovely and would represent the brand perfectly! I think I should win because I would represent what it is to be a Curvy Kate girl- confident, happy and curvy!! I am a real woman with imperfections and flaws like anyone else, I have bad days but mostly I remember to just smile!! I don't need photo shop or airbrush to make myself someone I am not. I appreciate natural women the most so with me, you really do get what you see!
To vote for your WINNER, head on over to the Curvy Kate Australia Facebook page and click the 'Vote Now' tab.
Star In A Bra Australia top five interview – Sophie Shaw
I think that's just about time for a cup of tea! Ahh.
What a pair of stunning role models we've heard from so far. The next gal is not different, let's hear from the delicious Sophie Shaw.
So great to see you back again, Sophie! we learnt a lot about you in your last interview, but for those of you who haven't seen it yet or for those who want to know even more, could you let us know a little about you?
Hello I'm Sophie Shaw, a 21 year old university student from Melbourne. I've been lucky enough to grow up in a very tight knit family with Mum & Dad, and my three beautiful older sisters (5 women – poor dad!), where we've lived in Melbourne, Adelaide, Tasmania and Perth at all different stages of my life. I'm a very family-orientated person, my sisters are three of my best friends and my little 2-year-old nephew Benny is the absolute love of my life.
I'm a very independent, driven young woman – one who is very determined to be successful in either television or radio once I graduate. At the same time, I like to consider myself a very positive and lively person who can have a laugh…especially at myself On the weekend you'll either find me at the footy (AFL), or out with my girlfriends having a dance and a wine (or 5!)
My whole life I have been extremely active with sports and still to this day I am a very competitive netballer – which explains my athletic body type. I can honestly say I don't think I could play netball the way I do without the shape and build I've been given. The positives to big boobs & bum!
We have to say we're rather envious of your enviably flat tum and toned pins! What sizes do you usually wear when it comes to lingerie? Were you refitted at the shoot?
Growing up, I thought the day would never come when my boobs stopped growing haha! I reached a 10G and have been wearing that for the past two years. I also wear a 12 down the bottom.
Why did you decide to enter Star in a Bra?
As a big Curvy Kate fan and follower of the Star in a Bra competitions overseas for the past few years, I often wondered when I would gain enough confidence to enter myself. I came very close last year but I let my fear get the better of me. Then after seeing all the beautiful courageous girls that entered in 2011, and then to see Julia and that beautiful smile of hers showcasing this wonderful brand, I was gutted that I had not had a go. I really had a feeling of "I can do that" that made me regret my decision immensely!
2012 also started as a terrible year for me. In February I was sent for scans on a little lump I had found in my left breast that was believed to be just a cyst, and therefore scans were purely precautionary. The lump did in fact end up being a cyst, but it was the tumor at the very back of my breast that was found during this scan that caused a severe headache. As a 21 year old girl I was contemplating life with breast cancer, something I never thought would happen to me. Luckily a biopsy showed the tumor to be benign breast lesion, but it still didn't make the experience any easier. I had surgery to remove the mass and am now left with a scar. Although I should be grateful that all I ended up with was a scar, it is still something that I look at everyday that reminds me what could have been, and I guess it now gives me the cliche outlook on life to live it while you can as you never know what is around the corner.
So this time around I wasn't going to let anything stop me! I didn't want to have that same feeling of regret again – so I bit the bullet and went ahead with it.
I basically just want to help drive and promote this amazing message that Curvy Kate and Star in a Bra provides to women around the world. I really have learnt to love my body – flaws and all – and really embrace what I've been given. And I really want to inspire ladies around the world to do the same. I want more girls to feel it's ok to say, "yes, I feel good and I look great!"
I don't think anyone in this day and age should be made to feel like they are not good enough and there most certainly shouldn't be one image that people believe you need to look like. Every girl wants to be 'thin' and 'perfect', and society makes you feel you should be. But what this world needs to realise like Curvy Kate has is that 'thin' is not perfect – there is NO body type that is perfect. Every woman young and old, short tall lean or voluptuous should know that they are individually beautiful in their own way, and I really want to join Curvy Kate in helping women around the world feel like this.
And also – if a brand like Curvy Kate is preventing girls crying their eyes out in change rooms across the country like I did for many years 'cause they are unable to be fitted in a bra that suits them – then I'm on board!
We can't argue with that! How does it feel to be in the top five? How have your loved ones reacted?
By simply entering myself in the competition I received such a confidence boost and I was really proud of myself for being courageous enough to even put myself forward…then I made the top 5! I really didn't think I'd get this far, and when I was contacted to tell me I was lucky enough to be a top 5 I just couldn't wait to let the whole family know. There was definitely a rather large group message sent out that morning I think!
Honestly, I'm so touched that I was voted to be a top 5 contender. It really made me feel like I was able to relate with women around Australia and just to be part of such an inspiring competition with such fantastic people … well it's just motivated me to do even better!
My family have been absolutely fantastic. They have always supported and loved me for my curvaceous figure, and supported me when I would have a meltdown because I could never find a bra to suit a young big busted girl. Glad those days are long gone!
I initially thought my Dad would find the whole thing a little …uncomfortable perhaps… yet he has been my number 1 supporter getting around me on twitter and telling everyone to vote for me – he is just really proud I'm making a stand for us curvy girls
It's so good to hear you've got your family and friends behind you. How did you feel before and after the shoot?
If you ask my parents they will tell you that growing up as a little girl I always loved being in front of a camera and now at 21 nothing has really changed haha!
No in all seriousness I had very mixed emotions leading up to the shoot. One side of me was jumping out of my skin 'cause I was so excited to get up there, but of corse I had the nerves that came along with not really knowing what to expect. The idea of having your photo taken in your underwear would scare anyone I would think! Yet, once I got to Brisbane and met the other four incredible girls – along with the whole crew for the day – I instantly settled in and was raring to go. The other girls kept laughing because I was so impatient to get out on set that I couldn't sit still ! It was just a really enjoyable day that none of us wanted to end. We were able to meet, talk and relax as the day progressed and to do it with such a genuinely lovely group of ladies made it that much better.
What were the best and worst parts of the shoot?
Am I allowed to say there wasn't any bad parts? If I had to choose one, it would be that I was too excited the night before that I hardly slept and ended up shooting all day on 3 1/2 hours sleep. Silly Sophie.
The best part of the day..narrowing it down to one will be impossible so I'll name off a few.
As I mentioned, meeting and spending the day with Cassie, Mindy, Cherine and Carley was so much fun. We all got along so well, and they were so supportive of me it really made the experience one I'll never forget. I always love getting my hair and makeup done so I also enjoyed feeling like a superstar being dolled up and pampered all day by the team. Standing there with the fan blowing in my face and camera flashes going off everywhere … it was an experience that I soaked up while I could it was so much fun. What I really really really enjoyed about the day was being able to sit down with 2011s winner Julia who was so encouraging and motivating. She really listened to me, gave me some fantastic advice that I could take in, and she is just such a beautiful girl inside and out it's no wonder she was able to win last year.
Do you struggle to find clothing and lingerie to fit your curves?
Up until I came across Curvy Kate, I hated bra shopping with an absolute passion. I'd avoid it at all costs because 99.9% of the time it ended in failure and tears. Now that problem is a thing of the past …yay!
Clothes wise I still struggle due to my defined hour-glass figure that I have. Although I'm a size 10/12 up top and bottom, I can get away with wearing a size 6 around my waist. This is why I'm more often than not wearing tight, figure hugging clothes. I find it more flattering on my body type to emphasise my curves rather than try and hide them with baggy, floaty clothes that only make me look bigger and that I certainly don't feel confident in.
If we had a figure like yours we'd certainly show it off as well! Do you have any favourite Curvy Kate sets?
Without a doubt the Entice set from the Showgirl range hence why I was ecstatic when I arrived to the shoot to find that I got to wear it! As it's shaped and slightly padded, it provides me with such an uplift that is normally so hard for such large breasts. But it's able to make me feel young and sexy which is exactly what you want at 21!
I'm also in love with the Emily nude set for your perfect everyday lingerie.
What do you think defines a Curvy Kate girl?
A Curvy Kate girl has the confidence to tell the world she is beautiful, and the ability to influence and inspire other women around the world to do the same.
That's such a lovely way of putting it. Do you have any advice for people thinking of entering next year?
DO IT! Please don't have any hesitation in entering. Of corse it's daunting but it is SO worth it! When I first found out I made top twenty, I had girls contact me to congratulate me on having the courage to do such a thing … some of these girls I hadn't spoken to in years! It was such a confidence booster than almost immediately any sense of doubt and embarrassment was erased.
On that note, I was recently out on a Saturday night having drinks with some girls when a lady – who later told me she was 29 – approached me and said "You're Sophie from Star in a Bra aren't you?" This beautiful lady then sat down and talked to me for five minutes telling me how much I inspired her, and her exact words were "You've made me say 'I can do it' too." It was honestly one of the most beautiful and touching conversations that I've ever had with someone as she sat there and talked about how she admired me and my body, and how she was definitely entering in the 2013 competition. I was on cloud 9. It was just so lovely to hear a stranger tell me that I had made a positive impact on her life. And that's exactly why you should enter in 2013 – to make people feel like that too.
What would be the best part of winning?
I'd love to win to become a team member of CK and an ambassador for the message it provides. I want to join Julia, Sophie, Krista and all others on the CK crew in being a voice that promotes this positive body image message across the world. I want to be able to see myself advertising CK lingerie, and be proud of myself and the courage I displayed to get here.
Last but not least, it's the tricky question that no one likes to be asked – why do you think you should win?
Everyone always leaves the tough question till last don't they!
I've spoken previously about my dedication and drive to be successful in everything that I do and this another one of those things. I've always been very strong in my values and fighting for what I believe in, and Curvy Kate's positive message is no different. I really feel like I have a grasp on what Curvy Kate is all about and I think not only do I have boobs, bum, hips and everything else to make me physically a 'Curvy Kate', I believe I have the attitude and personality to go with it. I'm never going to conform to standard ideals of what a woman should be and Curvy Kate will provide me with the opportunity to represent all of that ladies out there who refuse to settle for that either. My big personality and even bigger smile will be a great Star In A Bra 2012 !
In saying that, I'd love any of the other girls to win. Each is so individually beautiful, but with the one thing in common I would be happy to see anyone crowned. Wishing you all the very best of luck. Now lets get voting people!
To vote for your WINNER, head on over to the Curvy Kate Australia Facebook page and click the 'Vote Now' tab.
Star In A Bra Australia top five interview – Cherine Exadactylos
We're just dying to hear more from our next curvy compadre, so let's not spare another moment and catch up with the gorgeous Cherine Exadactylos!
Hello Cherine, nice to hear from you again! You're through to the next stage in the competition, so why don't you tell our readers a little more about you?
Well as you may or may not know my name is Cherine I'm 21 years old, I hope to graduate my course and become a youth psychologist. I have a slight (or extreme) obsession with leopard print. I love being around my family and friends I believe they are the most important thing to me in the world. I also love to belly dance and am currently attempting to make my own belly dancing bra and belt set cause there isn't much that caters for the curvy girl there either!
Hello, my name's Cheryl and I have an addition to leopard print. Let's enrol on a 12 step program together? What sizes do you usually wear when it comes to lingerie? Were you refitted at the shoot?
Before entering Star in a bra I wore a 10G, I then got fitted before the competition and before the shoot and I'm an 8GG/H. I can't explain just how much better it feels to wear a bra that actually fits and have straps that stay on my shoulders or a band that stays where its supposed to and doesn't ride up. And of course how important it is.
I think it's so easy to forget how vital it is for fuller-busted gals to be in the right size. It's only when you are put in the right size that you realise just how wrong you had it before! Why did you decide to enter?
I am a firm believer in doing things if you have the opportunity to, and after just missing out on entering the competition last year I decided I would go for it this year! I also entered because I would love to be able to show other curvy girls like myself out there that if I can be confident with my curves they can too!
Also I was younger I had always wanted to be a model, but after hitting puberty and developing my curves I thought it wasn't a possibility considering most models I had seen were gorgeous and skinny, so when I saw the Star in a Bra competition I thought why not? What's there to lose?!
How does it feel to be in the top five? How have your loved ones reacted?
Amazing! I honestly never thought I would make it this far! But it's so exciting and it's great to able to have and share this experience. My family and friends have been very supportive through the whole experience and have backed me up 100%, it's been a really nice to have such a big support group, I'm so happy to have made it this far.
Aww good for you. All of your girls throughly deserve to be where you are and you're all amazing candidates to be our next Aussie bra star. We don't envy the fans who have to pick just one of you! How did you feel before and after the shoot?
Excited! So very excited. I don't think I had ever been so awake and energetic as I was in the very early hours of the morning I flew up to sunny Brisbane for the shoot. Before the shoot I was a little nervous but once you're up there in front of the camera you relax and have fun. The crew on the day and everybody there were so helpful, especially considering that none of us have had any real modeling experience. They were awesome! After the shoot I was still buzzing from being there and meeting the other 4 girls, I didn't really want to leave.
What were the best and worst parts of the shoot?
Oh do I have to choose just one?! The whole day was the best! Meeting the girls, the Curvy Kate ladies, the bubbly teams from Take 5 and Channel 9, our very own winner from last year Julia McLean, having your hair and makeup professionally done! What's not to love? If I had to choose a worst part in the shoot, I'd say leaving!
Do you struggle to find clothing and lingerie to fit your curves?
Yes! I really do, and it is so frustrating at times. It's hard when you walk into a shop and see a gorgeous dress on a mannequin and you grab it to try it on yourself and it looks horrible! Most of the time I find dresses can be too tight up top but fit perfectly down the bottom, or the fit nicely up top and are way too loose on the bottom. It is really hard to find something that flatters a curvy body. It'd be much easier if clothing stores realized this, also I find that it's unrealistic to have a mannequin in the window that is quite literally straight up and down as appose to a mannequin that would represent the everyday Australian woman.
I can't tell you how many times we're had one of those devastating changing room moments when you just have to walk away from something you love because it just doesn't fit. At least we can have gorgeous lingerie that fits perfectly! Do you have any favorite Curvy Kate sets?
Ummm can I say the whole Showgirl range?! Haha I think they're absolutely gorgeous! But if I had to pick I'd say the Entice and of course Wild (its the leopard obsession) oh! And Portia…I have a couple favorites.
What do you think defines a Curvy Kate girl?
I believe a Curvy Kate girl can be anybody! Of course you'd have to be between a D and a K cup to wear their gorgeous lingerie, but just like beauty, there is no set definition.
Amen to that! Do you have any advice for people thinking of entering next year?
Yes. DO IT! It will be one of the best experiences of your life. It may be a bit daunting at first to work up the courage to strip down to your bra and knickers and take a couple photos but I promise it's not that bad!
What would be the best part of winning?
Honestly, the opportunity to show other busty and curvy ladies like myself that there is absolutely nothing wrong with having healthy curvalicious bodies and that girls like us can make it and do anything we set our minds to! Girls with curves can be models too!
They can indeed, and they can look amazing in the process! Why do you think you should win?
This is always the hardest question! I believe I represent the regular curvy girl, I know what it's like to walk into a shop and see a gorgeous dress or top and try it on only to have it not fit in the right places, or the shop assistant who insists I'm a size smaller than the one I have picked up on to try it on and be busting out at the top. I understand how irritating it is to go to major bra shops and only have the 'granny' sets in our size. I would love to win so I can show and tell everybody out there that curves are beautiful and you should be proud of what you have! People pay for busts like ours and we're lucky enough to be blessed with them! I know I know easy for me to say right? Coming from the girl who stripped off and made top 5 in a modeling competition, but I promise you, I haven't always been this confident and comfortable with my body, and granted there's still parts I'm not happy with but I don't care anymore, and you can be just the same! I'd love the chance to just show other ladies out there that they can do it too.
To vote for your WINNER, head on over to the Curvy Kate Australia Facebook page and click the 'Vote Now' tab.
Star In A Bra Australia top five interview – Mindy Reading
It's the post you've all been waiting for! That's right guys and gals, it's Star in a Bra Australia voting time, and this time it's to pick the winner! The girl who will be flown to London and feature alongside our gorgeous Sophie Morgan and Krista Cousins in our Autumn/Winter 2013 catalogue and all marketing material for the season.
Since we've only got a few days left to go, we'll be posting all the interviews today, just so you've got enough time to read them all and make your decision!
So who's up first, you ask? It's the one and only Mindy Reading.
Hi Mindy, and welcome back to your second batch of blog interviews! Congratulations on making it to this stage – your professional shoot pictures look incredible! We know a little about you from last time, but can you introduce yourself to our readers?
My name is Mindy, I am currently in my second year of studying Nursing at the University of Canberra and I work in child care. I am the youngest out of 5 and I'm an Aunty to 14 nieces and nephews. when I finish my Bachelor of Nursing I hope to travel overseas and put my skills to work with people who desperately need it. I'm a pretty easy going girl who enjoys family events, hanging out with friends, random road trips and singing like no one is listening.
You sound like our kind of girl! What sizes do you usually wear when it comes to lingerie? Were you refitted at the shoot?
At the moment I've been wearing a 12F-FF bra and about a 14-16 bottom, of course this would depend on what brand or style. I was refitted at the shoot and it turns out I'm wearing the wrong size bra, I am now a 10G. This doesn't mean I'm a size 10 all over, I still wear size 12-14 tops.
You're certainly not the first to leave the shoot in a new size! Why did you decide to enter?
I guess in a way I wanted to see how far I'd get. I always have my friends and family complimenting me on my shape and encouraging me to try new things. I lost a lot of weight recently (30Kgs) and I wanted to enter last year but my self esteem was incredibly low that I did not think I could handle the rejection of not getting in. This year I was in a totally different mind set, I'd talked to a few family members and friends and decided that I would enter and if I didn't make it, Id just try again next year. I guess I entered to prove to myself that I could do it and look where this small step has gotten me.
Congratulations on your ne found confidence! We're so pleased to have you get this far, you should be so proud of yourself. How does it feel to be in the top five? How have your loved ones reacted?
It feels like a bit of a dream I guess, I had hoped to get in and making it to Top 20 was great and then being told I'd made the Top 5 was like someone telling me I'd just won the lottery. I couldn't stop smiling the whole day, someone could have slapped me in the face and I probably would have kissed them!
There were a few mixed reactions within my family, I had spoken to a few family members about entering and some advised me not to and others thought it was a great idea. When I found out I was in the Top 20 I was so excited and then I remembered that i=I would now have to tell those few family members that told me not to enter, that I had entered and gotten through to the Top 20. Over all I think everyone was really supportive, I mean without the support of my friends and family I would never have made it to the Top 5.
How did you feel before and after the shoot?
On the plane I was as cool as a cucumber, although I was extremely excited on the inside. On the car ride over to the studio with two of the other contestants, who are absolutely gorgeous, was when the nerves started to build. I just did a lot of slow deep breathing. When we arrived at the studio we hadn't been there long and my mother called me to ask how the flight was, it was at this point where I was so nervous that I had that hard ball in the throat feeling you get when you are forcing yourself not to cry. Once I'd settled down and was fitted into my lingerie the nerves just kind of stopped. During the shoot I had so much fun, the photographers and Curvy Kate team were so kind and supportive, it really made the whole experience so much fun. When I went home I was just in the best mood ever, I met some awesome people on the plane and told them all about Curvy Kate and what they stand for, it was like I was already an ambassador for Curvy Kate.
What were the best and worst parts of the shoot?
This is a hard one as the entire day was just great! I think the worst part was not being able to spend more time the the other contestants, we all just got along so well. My most favourite part of the day, besides the photo shoot, was getting my hair and make up done. I'm much more girly than I used to be but I still don't spend a lot of time doing my hair and make up, so having it done by some absolutely amazing ladies made me feel like a million bucks! Having it done just gave me a extreme confidence boost.
Do you struggle to find clothing and lingerie to fit your curves?
The simple answer is YES! I can walk through the shopping centre all day and only come away with one or two things or nothing, I find I have to search to find something that flatters my curves at a decent price. I have ALWAYS love the 1950s/pin up style and have recently just started wearing that style more often and every time I wear my dresses I get compliments. I think finding a style that suits you can be hard but once you've found it, wear it, even if its just to the shops.
We're quite the fan of the pin up style, too! You really can't go wrong with it when you have a curvy figure. Do you have any favourite Curvy Kate sets?
I really like all of the Curvy Kate collection and I do find it hard to say i have a favourite but I really do like the Showgirl range.
What do you think defines 'a Curvy Kate girl'?
I know there was a lot of talk that the girls who made the Top 20 and even the Top 5 were not 'curvy' enough for some people. I had spoken to some of the Top 5 contestants about how they felt and we all said pretty much the same thing. Curvy Kate is about celebrating what you have, everyone has a different opinion about what 'curvy' is and some people show it differently. We all have different styles that we like so no one is ever going to agree. I think defines a Curvy Kate girl is embracing your body and showing that every woman can be an incredible role model to the younger generation who are being pressured by the media and the people around them to look and dress a certain way. I believe promoting a healthy body image is what Curvy Kate is all about and you can do that at a size 8 or a size 14 like me.
Well, that gets a big thumbs up from us! Curvy isn't a body size, it's a body shape. Do you have any advice for people thinking of entering next year?
Don't just think about entering, DO IT! what do you have to lose? have some girl friends over, make a night out of it. Have FUN! if you don't get through, try again. Don't get upset and make comments about the other girls because if you made it and they were making those comments you wouldn't feel so great. Its all about having fun, strike a funny pose, let loose! in the end you have nothing to lose.
What would be the best part of winning?
Showing girls out there that you can do anything and that if you don't try you'll never achieve it. I almost didn't enter and if i knew that I'd get this far and I hadn't entered I would be kicking myself right now. But i think the best part would be proving to myself, most of all, that I can do it.
Finally, why do you think you should win?
Here's that dreadful question again! I think any of the Top 5 girls deserve to win, id be lying if I didn't say I'd love to win. Being in this competition and meeting the other girls, including last years winner Julia, has been such a rewarding experience. What Curvy Kate stands for is what every girls needs to hear. I want to be able to share with Australia what Curvy Kate has done for me and maybe help the next Top 5 like Julia helped all of us girls.
To vote for your WINNER, head on over to the Curvy Kate Australia Facebook page and click the 'Vote Now' tab.
Behind the scenes of our top five Star In A Bra Australia shoot!
If you haven't already, perhaps it's time you popped over to our Curvy Kate Australia Facebook page and check out our five Aussie Star in a Bra hotties!
Since you always seem to love seeing what goes on behind the camera, we thought we'd treat you to some exclusive pics of Team CK, hair and makeup, photography and of course the girls in action.
Before they each took centre stage, the girls were pampered and preened; their hair was curled, straightened, teased and twisted – the girls were made to look their best and feel catalogue ready – and it certainly shows on their faces! There's nothing like a pair of gorgeous lingerie, a bit of special treatment and a flashing camera.
Congrats to all the girls – Curvy Kate's Australian team reported that you were all like pros posing for the camera and flaunting those curves.
Don't forget to head on over to the Curvy Kate Australia Facebook page and vote for the girl you think deserves to WIN Star in a Bra Australia 2012! We're certainly glad that decision time is over for us as the girls all look incredible.
Watch this space for exclusive interviews with all of our fabulous top five, just in case you need a little extra help picking your favourite.
A day in the life of: Curvy Kate's PR & Marketing Assistant
Hi lovely readers, I'm Cheryl. I've been working at Curvy Kate for around seven months now and loving it!
My lingerie love really started back with my first professional fitting. I'd always loved lingerie: to me, it symbolises femininity, self induldence and celebrating your body, but for so long I felt like by body was oddly shaped or 'wrong' since nothing really fitted me properly. I'd been fitted in a chain store so I thought I was in the right size, so I naturally felt that the problem lied with me. How wrong I was! I was refitted from a 34D to a 28FF and I've never looked back! Since I'm quite a 'hard to find' size, Curvy Kate are a saving grace for me!
I've been a huge fan of the brand for years and even though PR wasn't necessarily something that I thought would be on the cards for me, when I saw an opportunity to work for Curvy Kate I thought it sounded right up my street. A job in the lingerie industry? What's not to love?!
After not just one but THREE Star in a Bra competitions, I really was thrown into the action at the deep end, but I've learnt such an overwhelming amount in such a short space of time. I'm involved in lots of press engagement and am constantly finding more and more ways to get the Curvy Kate brand out to more busty ladies!
Reading magazines, newspapers, blogs and e-zines is a daily occurance. I try to keep up to date with all the Curvy Kate coverage both online and in print, as well as come up with new ideas and inspiration of what to do next! My desk has what can only be described as a mountain of the latest monthly and weekly glossies, woman's weeklies, fashion journals and trade magazines, and I've read most of them cover to cover at least a few times.
The best thing about my job:
I get to work in such an incredible industry and with such amazing people. Team Curvy Kate are a different breed in themselves, and each and every one of them is the perfect mix between kooky, crazy, nuts, hard-working and passionate! We just love rolling up our sleeves and getting involved in new, exciting projects, challenging ourselves to new ventures and pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the full bust lingerie world!
The worst thing about my job:
Seeing the production process pretty much from day one means that I see all of the new Curvy Kate designs and collections before most people on the planet, so I've got the longest wait between seeing it, wanting it, and owning it! Plus choosing the Star in a Bra top 30 is a bit of a nightmare – too many gorgeous girls to choose from!
10 pointless facts about me:
- My current obsession is Twitter. I have to check it multiple times a day or I feel like I'm missing out. I rode the Instagram and Pinterest trains for a while, but for me, Twitter is where it's at.
- I'm currently in the process of hand-sewing a king-sized patchwork quilt. It's taken me about six months and ended up costing way more than the cost of just buying one, but I'm a quarter of the way though. That's right, at this rate it's going to take me two years and a lot of lonely evenings and weekends to get it done, but it'll be worth it in the end. So long as I do actually have the patience to finish it…
- My nails are always chipped.
- I own somewhere in the region of 60 bra sets. I know.
- My perfume of choice is Dolce & Gabbana 'The One'. Yum!
- I'm obsessed with Youtube makeup and beauty vids and spend hours watching them, despite the fact I'm usually too lazy to wear makeup most days.
- I drive a black Peugeot 107. I love her and her name is Astrid, after a character from 'How To Train Your Dragon' because I think the car looks like Toothless but that's a rubbish name for a car… it made sense at the time, I promise.
- Currently, I'm a 30FF (give or take, depending on the style).
- When I was 4 I wanted to be a mermaid when I grew up. That didn't happen.
- At the moment, my favourite places to shop for shoes is Office and Kurt Geiger, and for clothing is New Look, Forever 21 and Dorothy Perkins.
Top 5 favourite Curvy Kate sets:
Lottie in black/white, Emily in coral, Romance in black/red, Portia in white/pink and Tease Me in cherry/blush.
In case you hadn't guessed, I'm a bit of a fabric cup fiend, and they're all I really wear every day. I couldn't resist the Tease Me, however, for a touch of glam and stunning burlesque factor for the weekend or for any day I feel I need a bit of a pick me up!
Star in a Bra so far! With Krista Cousins
Last week first ever US Star in a Bra winner Krista Cousins embarked on her first ever trade show: Curve NY. We caught up with Krista to hear about her first ever job as Curvy Kate ambassador, and how she's faring as America's Bra Star!
Hi Krista, we heard you stole the show at Curve NY! How has your Star in a Bra journey fared so far?
It's been great! Very exciting but still a bit unreal that sometimes I wonder if the excitement will ever wear off (I hope not!?) It's been less than two months since I've won so really I'm eager to see what's to come…
What's the best thing about being a Bra Star?
The best thing is that my body type is appreciated and not ridiculed as in some other modeling. Also it's so cool to really represent and stand for something, I'm sort of a symbol in that way and it makes me feel proud. Also everyone at Curvy Kate is superbly nice sometimes I wonder if they are robots with personalities programmed to "nice"!
How did it feel when you saw yourself in your Star in a Bra pics online and/or the catalogue?
I was so nervous and swore up and down that the pictures didn't look like me at all! However I finally "opened my eyes" so to speak and it was so cool especially when I saw myself in a huge (maybe 10ft?) banner.
How was your first trade show? Can you tell us a bit about it?
It was exhausting and fun! The trade show was a lingerie and swimwear expo where companies showcase their goods to buyers to carry them in their stores (so hopefully more Curvy Kate in stores all over the USA!). It was no contest in that our booth was best looking and I'm definitely not just saying that. Imagine walking into an expo and seeing a booth covered in pink and purple ribbons, colorful flowers, pretty glass beads, it would definitely catch your eye. My role, of course, was the model! In order to give the best representation possible of the lingerie and swimwear, the client gets to look through the brochures, touch samples and also I would come out and model each item in the catalogue with each page turn. It was very fun but obviously not easy at first being in heels and constantly changing (I embarrassingly came out with my underwear insides out 3 times) but I really got the hang of it and everyone even the clients were laid back and nice to talk to.
Would you say that a correct fitting bra has affected you?
Definitely! Since it hasnt been too long since I won and I've been busy, I have been wearing bras that aren't the right fit but when I was wearing the Curvy Kate sets I felt much better and it reminded me of how good it feels to wear the proper fit, even your posture is better!
How does it feel to be a role model for curvy girls in your country and worldwide?
Awesome! A woman in Australia contacted me through my blog asking for advice on taking her pictures to get noticed by the judges and I stressed the importance of being yourself and not trying to look super sexy or something like that but rather tap into her true self and she made it to the top 20! I'm so proud of her. Anyway, it makes me feel great because I want more girls to be ok with being themselves, it devastates me to hear them tear themselves apart: personalities, bodies and all. I want them to stop blaming themselves for who they are but instead become confident in blaming the media and clothing manufacturers for not celebrating their normal, natural and healthy bodies.
Are you looking forward to your next Curvy Kate shoot?
A thousand times YES! I've never been to Europe and London is such an intriguing city. I might try to stay a little extra to explore. I'm super nervous to model along side Sophie, Laura and Lauren etc. as they are so stunning!
Which are your favourite sets from the upcoming Autumn/Winter 2012 collection?
Obviously Entice, I've said it so many times but I really love it! I also am excited about Smoothie coming out as its a great everyday bra and works so well with everything you own but still isn't boring. Ive also got my eyes on Gia in red and blush, still suitable for every day but very pretty and different.
Can you tell us three random facts about you?
1. I'm a huge nerd! I love video games, cartoons, the internet, school, comics etc
2. I love to dress in costume and never buy costumes but rather make my own for most halloweens, it's my specialty.
3. When I was a kid I would only eat cereal with warm milk.
What message would you give girls who wanted to apply next year?
As cliche as it sounds- be yourself! Being a Curvy Kate girl is about sticking to your guns, smiles all around and accepting who you are. Be confident in your beauty and ignore anyone who tells you otherwise. Just look at yourself and who you want to be and the judges and the public will see that too! Even if you don't make it, you've proven to yourself what you can do and your opportunity will never be over as long as you keep believing in your beautiful self!
We couldn't agree more, Krista! We can't wait to see you in London.
Star in a Bra Australia top twenty: Jehsika Peacock
It's well and truly time for a huge mug of tea, and Racheal's talk of a patisserie has got us craving something sweet and delicious!It's the final interview of the morning, and we still can't make our minds up on our favourite three girls. Thankfully, it's not up to us who makes the top five – that's your job! Have you voted yet?
Let's hear about the stunning Jehsika Peacock.
Good morning, Jehsika! Could you tell us a bit more about you?
I am quirky and artistic, I love a challenge and am definitely a people person! My confidence oozes when I am striving to complete anything Ive started or any challenge I'm given!
Things that pass through my mind on a regular basis are such things as fashion, travelling, networking, gorgeous lingerie, health and wellbeing and my nursing studies of course!
You sound like a girl after my own heart! Why did you enter the competition?
I entered the competition because I grew up as 'that girl.' The one that was always bigger, bustier and curvier than the rest of the girls in school. Admittedly it was difficult until I found who I was as a person and became loud and proud about my body. I wanted to enter to get notice, help and support women with beautiful bodies and lead them in the way of how to flaunt it in the best range of lingerie. We have all experienced feeling out of place but Im here to prove to everyone busty is better and bigger is beautiful!
Sorry – it's time for the question that every girl hates: why do you think people should vote for you?
If anyone out there has personnally experienced that unsure, nervous or insecure feeling about themselves or know someone who has, which Im positive we all do! Then I'm the lay to vote for! I want to prove to my town, Australia and the world how regular ladies can feel sexy and like a super star by following my lead and getting out there.
Curvy Kate has provideme with the opportunity to represent all those ladies and I would like to grasp this opportunity with everything I have. I am extremely passionate about happy, healthy and curvy bodies and feel that everyone needs to have the confidence to feel this way.
We are all women with gorgeous curves that need to be showcased!
Do you think Jehsika deserves your vote? You have three votes to use, and to cast your vote visit the Star In A Bra website or go to application on the Curvy Kate Australia Facebook page.
Next up we'll hear from Jehsika Peacock.
Star in a Bra Australia top twenty: Racheal Koschenow
The sun is shining (for now) and we're beaming over these gorgeous interviews. What beautiful ladies Australia's Star in a Bra has unearthed! Can we have them all, please?
Next interview of the day is Racheal Koschenow.
Hiya Rach, please could you tell us a bit more about you?
I come from a well known state QLD, and a little town called Ipswich. I took on 3 years doing an apprenticeship and now I am finally a qualified chef, and a good one at that. I'm the oldest of three girls in my family, I come from a very unique background being Egyptian. I have lived in 3 different states moving around since I was a baby, its been a journey but an enjoyable one. My goal in life is to open up my own little patisserie cafe and hopefully move up in the world i want.
A chef? Chefs are our favourite people in the World! You'll have to let us know when your cafe is open and we can pop by for a chocolate eclair! So, why did you enter the competition?
It interested me as soon as I seen the article, knowing not only skinny girls can do all this modelling and what not, but us plus size bigger busted girls. So i just thought i'd give it a go
Why do you think people should vote for you?
In all honest truth, i think if we have the balls to strut our stuff being plus size anyone deserves to win.
But in saying that people should vote for me because i deserve a chance.
Do you think Rachael deserves your vote? You have three votes to use, and to cast your vote visit the Star In A Bra website or go to application on the Curvy Kate Australia Facebook page.
Next up we'll hear from Jehsika Peacock.
Star in a Bra Australia top twenty: Stevie-lee Sutherland
Tomorrow will be a sad day when we'll have no gorgeous interviews to wake up to, but an exciting day as it's the last day to cast your votes for your top three girls from our Aussie Star in a Bra top 20!
Next up today is stunning Stevie-lee Sutherland.
Good morning from London! Could you tell us a bit more about you?
My name is Stevie-lee and I am a 21 year old country girl from Tamworth ( Country Music Capital ).
I come from a diverse cultural background, one grandfather is Welsh, the other is Aboriginal, one grandmother is Maori, the other is Australian and I am proud to be each of those. I am a shoe-obsessed, crazy cat lady, shopping fanatic and have a love for photography and being photographed. I am also a very family-orientated person and I would not be here today without the support of my wonderful parents and younger brother.
I was diagnosed with neurocardiogenic syncope when I was 16, in simpler terms meaning i lost consciousness frequently. I then had to have someone with me 24/7 so my father became my carer and my mother had to get a second job to cover the medical expenses. My final school years were hard, I missed so much that I fell behind in everything and had to drop classes. I could no longer play sport, learn to drive and socialise with my friends. I lost everything i took for granted and as i slowly started to lose my naturally tan complexion and put on weight, I no longer wanted anything to do with anyone, did not want anyone to see me looking so horrible.
My Mother was always so comforting and supportive and helped me love my new look. I learnt to love my curves, my wobbly bits, my junk in the trunk Last year I had my loop monitor removed from my chest ( similar to a heart monitor, monitored the electricity of my heart ) which left a scar above my left breast. Not the slightest bit was i ashamed of the mark, i flaunted it, anyone who was disgusted in it was not worth my time. It was a constant reminder of my struggle and progress and not long after i stopped taking medication and visiting my doctors and with a positive attitude and outlook on life I am now, only one year later, almost perfectly healthy and happy.
I have started learning to drive again, go for walks of an afternoon and am looking forward to enrolling in University at the end of the year, hopefully one day will have a degree in Special Education, a dream I have always had. My life has just begun and I am going to cherish each and every day.
Wow that's such an inspirational story! Good for you! Why did you enter the competition?
I entered the competition for the experience, the journey and the opportunites. I am now confident and proud of my body thanks to this competition. My grandmother showed me the competition last year and told me to try out, at that stage I wasn't proud of my body, this year i couldnt love it any more! I love Take 5 and as soon as i read that this competition had begun I HAD to enter. I HAD to show every woman that no matter what life has thrown at you, we are ALL beautiful and should be comfortable in our own skin, and should flaunt our curves and set a better example for our younger generations.
Finally, it's the question that everyone cringes over… Why do you think people should vote for you?
People should vote for me because I love my curves and I love that Curvy Kate celebrates the curvy woman. It would be the opportunity of a lifetime to represent a wonderful brand and be the ambassador for curvy women in Australia.
Do you think Stevie-lee deserves your vote? You have three votes to use, and to cast your vote visit the Star In A Bra website or go to application on the Curvy Kate Australia Facebook page.
Next up this morning we'll hear from Racheal Koschenow.
Star in a Bra Australia top twenty: Katherine Reynolds
It's always sad when we get to the end of the day's interviews, and what a day it has been! We really, really, REALLY can't pick just three of these gorgeous girls… help!
Here to help us make our decisions is Katherine Reynolds.
Could you tell us a bit more about you?
I'm a girl who likes a little mischief, loves a lot of love, laughs at pretty much everything (sometimes at really inappropriate times), loses all willpower on gooey brownies, raises my half-full glass with a whole-hearted cheer, is someone's reason to smile – and you are mine!
My Mum described me as: "When you were born you were blue and looked like a Shar Pei dog – far too much skin." (OMG, MUM!) "I loved you darling, but lets say you've blossomed."
My Dad described me as: "Oh, you're like Cameron Diaz when she falls over all the time." (Thanks Pops!)
My best friend described me as: "Passionate, loyal, a bit chaotic, thoughtful, makes a mean roast dinner." (Much better, thank you Lexy!)
I'm an event producer by day (and often by night!) but in 'my time' I'm a big ambassador for loving life. I believe in filling each moment with memories and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. This kind of lifestyle means I'm often seen dashing from one place to the next, and what comes with me every time? My body (and great supporting undies!) This competition is the THANK YOU it deserves.
No, THANK YOU for entering and helping make this competition what it is! Why did you enter the competition?
I have a confession: turning 30 was a bit scary. There may have even been tears. I wondered what I should be doing and where should I be. Fortunately my family made me this video to celebrate being fab at 30:
So then I decide that I was being completely irrational and set myself challenges. 30, to be exact. Yep, 30 challenges to complete while I'm 30!
One of them is to love myself on the inside and out: I want to shout to the whole world that we only have one body, let's show it the same love we give to our best friend, after all it's the one thing that sticks by you through it all.
Being curvy hasn't held me back, in fact I love my body for what it's helped me to achieve. Every part of my body could tell a story, and with each story comes a great pair of undies: From sports bras to period pants, from comfy day-wear to mischievous date-nights – having correctly fitting undies will get you further than you think!
You can achieve whatever your little heart wants to – reach for the stars… My stars are the Curvy Kate ones.
'With each story comes a great pair of undies' – absolute genius! Last but not least, it's the question that everyone dreads… Why do you think people should vote for you?
We're not competing against each other, we're all real women here to fly the curvy flag, feel good about our figures and help boost what Curvy Kate stands for – to continue to have real people representing a great brand. To enter in the first place is such an achievement – high five ladies!
Sure, I've got body hang-ups – we all have – but I try not to let that get in the way. My thighs like to say hi to each other, I lie flat on my bed with a coat hanger down my jeans desperate for them to be pulled over the last bit of wobble, and yes, I can touch my nose with my tongue: No-one is perfect! What makes a person healthy, happy and "normal" is their ability to laugh at themselves, laugh with each other and laugh out loud, even when no-one is watching.
Now, I'm not watching… click "VOTE KATHERINE" and have a little giggle at the moment we just shared at letting our coat-hanger-down-our-jeans secret out of the bag!
Do you think Katherine deserves your vote? You have three votes to use, and to cast your vote visit the Star In A Bra website or go to application on the Curvy Kate Australia Facebook page.
Come back tomorrow for more interviews with our Aussie finalists!
Star in a Bra Australia top twenty: Jess Conner
When we said these interviews were meant to make choosing your favourite girls a little easier, we didn't know how much we'd end up falling in love with them all! I hope reading these won't be too counter-productive, but hey, it's still time well spent – who doesn't want to read about pretty, inspirational girls on the internet?
Next up we have the very gorgeous Jess Conner.
Could you tell us a bit more about you?
Hi there – I am 22 years old and in fourth year at University of Melbourne studying Environmental Science and currently living in Melbourne; graduation is this year which is exciting! I am Australian but moved to Melbourne four years ago from England – loving it and am so happy to be with my family out here.
Fashion is a huge interest for me; many of my friends would happily say I have a heavy shopping addiction! Also love going out and socializing; it's often difficult to focus completely on the studying… as I am sure other students can relate to! I enjoy exercising too, but only to a certain extent… if it's raining then its chocolate on the sofa for me!
Why did you enter the competition?
I was out buying my lingerie and saw the advert in the shop window!!! I thought what a fantastic idea and immediately took the flier home, thinking why not give it a go! I must admit it was fun getting together with a friend to take the photos, we laughed so much getting them done I was worried they wouldn't be good enough!
Until I found Curvy Kate I found it so difficult to buy bras to fit – now I am so comfortable all the time and the swimwear is amazing!! The Curvy Kate bikinis look great on the beach. Also being so tall is another thing that has made buying lingerie difficult – but the back sizes allow for that which I love.
Why do you think people should vote for you?
I think I can relate to a lot of other women out there when I say having a larger bust can be such a hassle!!! When I moved out here to Aus it took me a while to find Curvy Kate but once I found it that was it.. obsessed! I have now learned that the brand originates from the UK; if only I had discovered it while I was living there!
I really would love to be a part of the brand and show people how fabulous they look and how amazing they make you feel; I'm sure I could bring a fun personality to the amazing team already in place. Above all I love that the brand encourages women to flaunt their curves and have a great time doing it!
Do you think Jess deserves your vote? You have three votes to use, and to cast your vote visit the Star In A Bra website or go to application on the Curvy Kate Australia Facebook page.
Next up we'll hear from Katherine Reynolds.
Star in a Bra Australia top twenty: Nadine Toussaint
We're more than half way through this morning's interviews, and we're so stunned at so many of these girls are not only absolutely stunning but amazing personalities and lovely to boot!
Let's get to know some more of these Aussie babes, next up we have Nadine Toussaint.
Hi Nadine! Why don't you go ahead and tell us a bit more about you?
About seven years ago we had to make a vision board at work (you know where you make a collage of everything you want in the future), and I stuck things on there that I thought were pretty unattainable: a picture of a chiropractor, places to travel overseas, a hot boyfriend (pretty sure it was David Beckham), an amazing mansion, and a hot car, pictures of friends, and a picture of a chick in a swimsuit (she was there for body inspiration!)…well, I've just realised that I have achieved MOST of those things! – the house and car will come later I'm sure, and while my boyfriend doesn't resemble David Beckham, he is hot!
So just having had my 26th birthday and thinking hmmm what have I achieved so far in my life, I can answer with certainty: A LOT!
I'm just about to graduate as a chiropractor, and I couldn't think of ANYTHING better to be! I'll get to help people everyday and have fun doing it.
Travel is the best thing anyone can save their money for. My favourite places I've been are France and Italy (so far!) With travel comes food…which I love! I will never 'diet', I might watch what I eat occasionally, but I love food way too much sacrifice different bits of it. My favourite food is steak, if I could eat a restaurant quality steak once a week for the rest of my life I'd be happy!
I have an amazing and supportive bunch of friends who I love! My girlfriends are all intelligent and beautiful, and successful in their chosen career paths. I can't forget to mention my family either, they're so great that I'm really not looking forward to moving out when I finish uni!
Now, what else was on that vision board? Oh yeah- the chick in the bikini…well, I'm in a lingerie modelling competition right now and I never thought that would happen!
There's one more thing I think I should be honest about…I'm a nerd. I love learning, I love reading, I love documentaries and biographical movies and I secretly lie in bed at night reading wikipedia on my phone clicking from link to link- 2hours I think is the record. Oh and I wont say no to a bit of Star Wars!
So that's me!
Our favourite kind of curvy girl is a nerdy curvy girl, so you're in! Why did you enter the competition?
I was thinking about this question a lot last night and I've decided that I entered for my boobs. Instead of telling you about how when I was younger I hated my nose, my bum, my thighs, my this and that (which yes as a female I did at one stage!!), I'm going to tell you that the one (two technically) thing I never had issues with was my boobs! They've always stuck by me (on me), given me some confidence, and they're ageing like a good red wine. Now with the help of Curvy Kate they've never been better!
I also wanted to get other girls to think about the effects of a badly fitting bra: bad posture, and an unhappy spine!
Oops, it's time for that difficult question…Why do you think people should vote for you?
Every girl in this competition deserves to win, just for entering. The hardest part is over- for me that was trying not to feel like a loser while taking photos of myself in my undies!
I think I'd represent Curvy Kate well because I'm honest, happy with my body, and love to have a bit of fun!
Do you think Nadine deserves your vote? You have three votes to use, and to cast your vote visit the Star In A Bra website or go to application on the Curvy Kate Australia Facebook page.
Next up we'll hear from Jess Conner.
Star in a Bra Australia top twenty: Cherine Exadactylos
I'm not sure if I can handle all this hotness on a Tuesday morning, but I'm enjoying myself so why not carry on?
Next we have the beautiful Cherine Exadactylos.
Could you tell us a bit more about you?
Hi everyone! My name is Cherine Exadactylos (yes I know it's a bit of a tongue twister, but I promise if you say every letter you'll get it right! Haha) I'm 21 years old of Greek Cypriot background and come from the awesome city of Melbourne! I'm currently in my third year studying Psychology and loving it, I'm hoping to continue on and work with young adults.
At first I'm actually quite shy, but given a couple minutes, I'm as bubbly as a bottle of champagne! I feel that being so bubbly and down to earth it allows me to get along with people much easier regardless of their age or background.
I also absolutely love bellydancing and I'm currently in my fourth year of that. There's just something about it that allows you to relax and have fun, and we all need that in our lives. Aside from that I like all usual things, shopping, catching up with friends, nights out, nights in, you name it!
Most importantly though I believe I have the most supportive and loving family, I have a twin brother whom I look nothing alike! (chalk and cheese you might say), and of course my amazing parents, and extended family and my friends who have all in their own way helped me become the person I am today.
You sound like quite a personlaity! Why did you enter the competition?
I entered Star in a Bra this year because I decided that this year things would change in terms of how I felt about my body and myself and I wanted to show all the curvy girls out there that you don't need to be stick thin to be a model.
For a very long time I wasn't very confident or comfortable in my own skin. Seeing images of what media and society portrayed as beautiful seemed to distort my vision, and maturing at a young age I felt like I didn't fit that image, but slowly I have learnt to absolutely love my curves! I find it disappointing that sizes higher than a size 10 are considered plus size.
I hope that things will change soon because portraying these images and stereotypes don't contribute in a positive way to young women's perceptions of themselves. There is no such thing as a perfect body, we all have our lumps and bumps and there is nothing wrong with that.
We're glad you've plucked up the courage to enter this year – and look where your courage has gotten you! Why do you think people should vote for you?
Ohhh this is a hard one! I honestly think that all the girls who have made it to the top 20 are all gorgeous and would make fabulous ambassadors. But I think people should vote for me because I feel like I have a good understanding of what Curvy Kate is about and I know what it feels like to be young and have curves!
I understand how hard it is to find a good, supportive, comfortable bra and not want to be left walking out with a grandma looking bra that does absolutely nothing for my figure. After entering the competition and making the top 20 i actually had a friend tell me that seeing my entry photos gave her some confidence and inspiration to feel herself which really touched me.
As a Curvy Kate ambassador I would try my hardest to promote curves and a positive body image and show all women out there that they too can feel confident in their own skin.
Do you think Cherine deserves your vote? You have three votes to use, and to cast your vote visit the Star In A Bra website or go to application on the Curvy Kate Australia Facebook page.
Next up we'll hear from Nadine Toussaint.


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Yoga 101
A guide to practicing yoga, the yoga lifestyle, and yoga philosophy. We break down the basics with definitions, history and poses to ease your way into becoming a yogi.
Sanskrit words + the 8 limbs of yoga
Yoga PHILOSOPHY
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