Connect
To Top

Meet Seth Martino of Fresh To Seth Enterprises

Avatar photo

Today we’d like to introduce you to Seth Martino.

So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I’m a 33 years old stay-at-home father of five from Southern California who has been modeling in the plus-size world for about two and a half years. It was a random change in my life but I have seen a tremendous amount of growth. I started by flying from Los Angeles to New York to attend a casting call for Full Figured Fashion Week, which I ended up landing.

After walking in that show, I knew I wanted to continue to pursue modeling, but I had no idea how much it would really change the direction of my career choices. I don’t think I’ll be the next supermodel but I enjoy the pursuit of something that is new and unique and scary. I have walked for Gwen DeVoe in Full Figured Fashion Week’s Baewalks male showcase, The Curvy Fashionista’s TCF Style Expo 2018 and 2019, I was in a commercial with my daughter, Crusade of Curves 2019, shot with some of my dream photographers, and partnered with multiple brands to showcase product and build my own brand awareness, and I even designed my own outfits for a photoshoot. I also style and theme all of my own looks.

After my first year in the industry, I really started to develop a deeper understanding of what it would mean to try and make a name for myself. There is still a look or a standard that the industry requires in order to be signed to an agency or to even be taken seriously as a male plus-size model so I knew I would have to make things happen for myself.

Aside from attending casting calls for new modeling opportunities, I also started documenting my journey and presenting it for the world on multiple social media platforms. Aside from my modeling Instagram (@freshtoseth) I also manage a brand called The Model Father. You can watch videos about shows I’ve walked in on YouTube or read about things close to me on my blog at www.themodelfather.com. I don’t think I’m an actual model parent. It’s just a play on words. In fact, I want to use my platforms to share more about things that are important to me. Things like fashion for non straight-size men of course, but so many other things. I often don’t feel like I’m a great father which was my reason for starting The Model Father. It was an opportunity to create content with my kids to show interest in something that they love. I also want to talk about issues men are facing that aren’t often talked about. Things like mental health, faith, monogamy, gender role reversal in the home, how social media is affecting how we interact with one another, diet and exercise and even addictions to food and pornography. I know that may come as a shock to some people but I realized early on that there are things that people just aren’t talking about and I want to help further the conversation in my own way.

So what does the future hold for me? Above all else, I will continue to strengthen my relationship with God, my marriage, and my children. I hope to continue to grow in my craft, I want to learn more about posing and walking, I will continue to strengthen my portfolio and taking applying to agencies seriously. I’m exploring acting and singing and learning all I can about different social media platforms and the business side of them. I had already been confirmed to walk in at least one show this year and I hoped to lock down two more before the end of the year, but then COVID ruined all our plans and the BLM movement is more important right now anyway. I want to be more consistent in my content, and then I will start setting aside time and energy to bringing a garment to market and starting a creatives support group in my local area. My goal is to become a force for men and an ally to women in this plus fashion industry. I’m not going anywhere any time soon.

Has it been a smooth road?
I think it’s difficult to try and make a name for yourself in such a niche demo and not have some stumbling blocks. At first, I had big eyes and I thought I was hot stuff. The following grew, the network grew, you start to meet those blue checks and you get a big head, but the world has a way of taking you down a peg or two. I had to overcome social media anxiety related to having to constantly share and constantly have these perfectly manicured posts. It consumed me and shifted my priorities. Then I had to deal with jealousy of people who I thought were better than me because their numbers were growing faster or I felt like I wasn’t getting opportunities I deserved. I had to take a break, take a step back, and reevaluate my life. Now I show love to people, I don’t sweat the numbers, and I only put out content that I’m happy with when I want to. I have periods of chaos and periods of rest. I think that balance is important. I also had to start seeing the bigger picture. The plus community is much larger than just fashion. There are many places our voices aren’t heard and I wanted to share more aspects of my world that include all of those places. I had to develop tough skin and tenacity because movement is slow but I’ve gotten some wins and it helps keep me going.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Fresh To Seth Enterprises – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
Well as of right now, my business is me. I’m trying to take a page out of Gary Vaynerchuck’s book and create content for the sake of content. Create content I’m happy and excited about, and creating content that helps bring value to other people’s lives, or informs the general public about the plus movement. I’m creating brand awareness around myself and the Fresh To Seth name so that in the future when I bring something to market, I will have a group of supporters who love me as much as I love them and might consider helping me grow a business. I have a lot of ideas about things to bring to the world from clothing to a non-profit for creatives to food items and all sorts of other things. For now, I’m just having fun and learning and growing. I’m most proud of my growth as a human being because this journey helped me find meaning and purpose that I was so desperately searching for, and I think the fact that I genuinely care for others without hoping for gaining something from it helps set me apart. I don’t have ulterior motives, I genuinely want everyone around me to win and if I can do anything to help, I will.

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I love LA. I’ve always been the type that needed a major metropolitan city. I love nightlife and restaurants and art galleries and our sports. I love the special events and the people. There’s always something fun to do. I would say I dislike the way our city treats its disenfranchised. I grew up in foster care and I’m no stranger to poverty, homelessness, welfare, and other public assistance. I’ve also worked for Los Angeles County and I felt helpless at how inept some of these departments and programs are run. Obviously, the current political climate has put a spotlight on local government, so hopefully necessary change is coming soon.

So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I would love to sign to an actual modeling agency. There are all types of modeling opportunities from print, to fit, to runway, and I would love to say this was my job. The industry isn’t quite there yet, but it’s moving in the inclusive direction. I already mentioned I have some business ideas that I’m just building capital for. I would love to plan or help plan a show directed towards men in the plus fashion industry. And I would also like to find my way into hosting, or talking head type shows or commercials. I balance a lot with my family right now but as my kids get older, it frees up more time for me to dedicate to these goals. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.

Contact Info:

Image Credit:
Sheree Martino; Robert Gutierrez; Kyle Schlebach; Jesse Tenorio; Agustin Reyes; Karina Poltavceva; Kirklan Hawes; Mickey Leon

Suggest a story: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.

Related Items

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More in