Today we’d like to introduce you to Liris Crosse.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I was in elementary school shooting for my dad’s congressman campaign brochure and the photographer said I was photogenic and should model. When he came back a couple of weeks later with a print for me it solidified it in my head. I didn’t get a chance to really pursue it till high school. I went to a models convention that had all the top agencies in the country as well as some magazines.
I got callbacks from Elite Models & Seventeen Magazine to name a few. They all loved me but wanted me to lose weight on my size 6/8 frame. I worked it and returned to the next convention but got even less callbacks. Disheartened but not deterred I graduated high school but told my parents I wanted to move to NY to try commercial modeling. I connected back with the model convention company when I arrived in NY. They sent me to meet my 1st agency Wilhelmina Models (I’m currently with Dorothy Combs Models), they had a plus division which I had never heard of. They took some pics & looked at my book then offered me a contract that day! I never looked back.
Since then, I’ve been known for years in the industry for pioneering for plus models and models of color. I helped bring plus models into the music video game when I was started out. I’ve shot campaigns for brands like Lane Bryant to Ashley Stewart. I became the first black plus-size model to star in a video game advertisement which was for Final Fantasy XV. I also had my own character in the Def Jam Icon game. I recently became one of the first plus models to win the model portion of Project Runway (season 16). I walked the historic Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week in Spain for retailer Maggie Sottero and became the first black plus model to do so. Became the first Black model to race the Goddess Lingerie campaign. Model of the Year awards from Full Figured Fashion Week & FashionAwardsMD. The list goes on and on!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It sure have and still does. I recall an agent at the beginning of my career saying if I could binge & purge myself into a size 6, he could get me working! It’s important that I just keep showing up and put out my best work possible. The right people recognize when they need to. I just put it in God’s hands. For years I’ve said it’s hard being a model but to put on top of that black and plus size, is even harder. But I know who I represent and I claim my place in this world and the industry. So when they look at me like why is she here, I prove exactly why! I talk about this in my new book, “Make The World Your Runway” which is available on Amazon.com.
Life Of A Working Model BootCamp – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I have lived my share of struggles in the modeling industry so I created my business, Life of A Working Model Bootcamp to give models quality information to jumpstart their careers & maximize their opportunities. I give them the info I wish someone was able to give me. I offer the Master Class which is the How To of modeling. Perfection in Posing which is a posing intensive for the runway & print with a photoshoot & runway class. I recently had another class, Project Slay, which was an information & runway intensive for all. My bootcamps are open to all ages, gender, sizes, heights, races and levels of experience. The curriculum is almost like a life class meets a modeling class similar to my book, Make The World Your Runway! Graduates of my traveling boot camp have gone on to walk runway shows in Paris and Full Figured Fashion Week and have been signed by major agencies. More info on LirisC.com.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Well, success is a journey. It’s defined of course by goals as almost everyone has. But its also defined but what I learn about myself, how I grow from the process & how I stay relentless no matter what. “There’s no winners or losers, just people that gave up.”
Contact Info:
- Website: LirisC.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @LirisC
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lifeofaworkingmodelbootcamp/
- Twitter: @LirisC
- Other: Loawbc.com
Image Credit:
Main photo: Nikki Gomez
Tommy Chung, Rafael Clemente & Ananta Cuffe
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