Today we’d like to introduce you to Shalon Dozier
Hi Shalon, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My plus modeling career started in 2007 at a mall in Redondo Beach when Torrid had a model search. Out of 800 hundred women that show up that day, I was selected as one of the ten finalist. Although, I didn’t win the model search, it kick started my career. As I began embracing my dream of a plus model, my life took a turn, and my only parent my mother passed away, and my life took a financial downturn. I was rock bottom and had practically lost everything.
Then one random day, I received a call from my agent at the time; who sent me on a casting to be a “fit model”. I felt I had nothing to lose and took a chance. I had no idea what fit modeling entailed. I had no idea at the time at I was meeting with one of the most respect apparel companies in LA. The team measured my entire body and were getting excited about the fact that I match the form/mannequin exactly. My first day, they explained to me that my job as a fit model is the try on garments and tell them how it feels because the mannequin cannot talk or walk and to ultimately reduce returns. I had no idea the company
I was modeling manufactures clothes for everyone from Nordstrom’s Rack to Target. By working closely with this company, I had the opportunity of becoming the first Target certified plus model on the Westcoast. News spread like wildflowers and soon I was receiving calls from vendors all over LA county and as far as Orange and San Diego counties.
My success as a fit model started to rise quickly and I couldn’t take on all of the demand from brands. In December of 2019, I took the leap of becoming a business owner and started my own plus fit model agency becoming the only black own plus fit model agency on the Westcoast.
I’ve also been blessed to travel to China to work directly with major surf brand Volcom, their design team and factories. This opened me to the opportunity of being an international fit model. I currently travel internationally for the brand Good American to Istanbul and Paraguay.
I continue model full time and run my agency. It’s been nine years as a fit model and four years as an agency owner. I’m grateful for the people who first took a chance on me as their model. They have no idea how much of an intricate part in they’ve play in my life. Turning the life of my son and I around for the better. I am forever grateful and indebted them.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I think every job has its moments of struggle. As a fit model, we don’t have a union that protects us. If you get married, have baby, get sick, have surgery, or go on vacation; you can potentially be replaced and lose your job and the income that comes with it. Every professional fit model I know takes that chance/risk and we’ve all lost out someway or somehow. It’s lack of job security that can be damaging because life happens.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a size 16/18 full-time fit model in the Los Angeles area. I work with several denim companies including Good American, Reformation, NYDJ, Seven7Jeans, Max Studio, and 7 For All Mankind. I am also a Target Certified Plus Size Fit Model. My fit clients range from Fendi, ZARA, IVY PARK, SKIMS, Adidas, Nordstrom’s, Volcom, Dia & Co., Stitch Fix, Beyond Yoga, Haute Look, Macy’s, Maurice’s, Fred Mejir, Cato, Catherine’s, Bobeau, HIP, Threads 4 Thoughts, Torrid and several more.
I was introduced to fashion at an early age when I was discovered as a model which led to my successful career in the plus industry. I’ve also graced the cover of Plus Model Magazine, e-comm model for Skims featured on the website for the historic department store Selfridge’s in London, as well as for Banana Republic, Gap, and Orvis. Through my exposure, I have walked for some of the biggest shows in the plus fashion industry. I have also had the pleasure of training with the acclaimed supermodel Coco Rocha.
My mission is to empower women by breaking down societal barriers and changing the face of fashion.
How do you define success?
Success is doing what you love and being blessed with the opportunity to do so. If you can get up on the tough days, go to work and still smile; that’s success.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shalondozier/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shalon-dozier-897734a
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/thedozieragency/?hl=en
