Time to meet another one of our Bold Bosses! For those who don’t know, Bold Bosses are influencers, models, artists, writers, advocates etc. within the Bold Community who act as Brand Ambassadors. They help us spread our messages of self-love, diversity, and advocacy!
Today, we’re featuring LaQuinta Davis, C.E.O and owner/creator of DivaBigg and Bbwintheroom. We loved hearing about her inspirations; her belief that there are no mistakes in design; and her practice of “building self-esteem” into her garments. Enjoy!
BOLD: How did you get started as an influencer? What kind of content do you create, and what’s your main channel?
LD: I started designing after my mom passed away. It was God’s gift to me. It brought back childhood teaching from my mom when I was young. She taught me how to sew when I was young. Once she passed away, I felt empty and this has allowed me to pursue something love and be close to her.
BOLD: Describe your personal style. What are some of your signature colors, styles, and accessories?
LD: My design aesthetic is bold, edgy, street sexy. I use a good bit of colors – red, blues, yellows. My number one accessory is a woman’s features- her leg, shoulder. The bare body is a great complement to an edgy garment, along with a wide belt to snatch the waist.
BOLD: What are some tips you’d like to share with aspiring influencers or models?
LD: There are no mistakes in design, only road maps and undiscovered trails and new design ideas.
BOLD: If you could go back in time and give yourself advice as a young human, what would you tell her?
LD: I would tell my younger self not to take my self or life so seriously and to live in every moment likes it’s your last.
BOLD: What’s your family and personal life like? Who are your best supporters?
LD: My biggest supporters are my best friend Norelle McNeil, my sister Gilda Andrews and niece Startavia Andrews. I love family and being with family. I don’t get to see them as often as I’d like, but when I do, it’s always a great time.
BOLD: What is your “day job” if you have one other than influencing and modeling? I am an architect for the Navy.
BOLD: What does being an influencer or model mean to you? What do you hope it means to others? Being a plus size designer means being a visionary for how plus women are seen. It’s the ability to help women see their inner and exterior beauty.
BOLD: What are your goals and dreams as an influencer or model? What accomplishments are you most proud of?
LD: My goal as a designer is to be a plus fashion house recognized by the CFDA. It is my goal to be the Karl Lagerfeld of plus fashion. There is not a single accomplishment that I am most proud of. I am proud of all the things that have happened in my career- my first magazine feature, my nomination for designer of the year, my biggest show in Germany. So many things to be proud of, its hard to limit it to one.
BOLD: How have you seen the fashion, retail, or modeling industry change in the past decade – specifically with regards to diversity and inclusivity? What work still needs to be done? What work still needs to be done?
LD: I’ve seen more plus models sprinkled in mainstream shows. I’ve seen more openness to plus size women. I have not seen full acceptance of the notion that plus women are sexy and can show as much skin as standard size models. I also have not seen many mainstream plus designers. I have seen designers that produce standard size clothing and produce one or two plus size pieces, but not a fully plus designer.
BOLD: What are some things you’ve noticed in the world that you’d like to advocate to change?
LD: I’d like to advocate for a model council for plus models, a certification so that designers know they are getting trained models. Models should understand model etiquette, the types of modeling that exist, and what is expected as a model. In today’s world, depending on the number of followers you have or the side of bed you woke up on, ANYONE can claim to be a model. I would also like to advocate for the CFDA featuring indie designers once a season to push fashion forward and allow smaller brands more exposure.
BOLD: What does beauty mean to you?
LD: Beauty, to me, means awkward, different, weird, unique. Beauty are those features which make you different from the next person i.e. a birthmark, a scare, a deformity. It is your unique identifier.
BOLD: What does fat acceptance mean to you? Body positivity?
LD: Fat acceptance is what my company was built on, it is the ability to love yourself and your unique body. Fat acceptance is treating fat people with equal respect, courtesy and the same acknowledgement as any other human. It is inhuman that people have to fight for the right to be seen heard and accepted based on size. Body positivity is seeing people for who they are no matter their size. Body positivity is being proud to be who you are, as fat as you are, at the size you are, it’s loving the skin you’re in.
BOLD: How has your body image and self-esteem changed over the years?
LD: I have been self-conscious over the years my body has changed, I have lost weight, gained weight. You adapt to the changes of your body like you adapt to anything else and you learn to love yourself from the inside out because your physical will constantly change.
BOLD: Who are some humans who inspire you?
LD: My number one inspiration is my mom. She was my rock and is now my angel. Aside from her, I’ve always been inspired by the everyday woman, from the confident, to the extreme, even the shy and timid. I’ve always trying to build a bit of self-esteem into my garment to make women feel their best.
BOLD: What are some unique hobbies you have?
LD: I love working with my engineer to create beats for my runway shows. I also love fabric shopping, even if I’m not working on a collection, just to walk around the fabric store, look at fabrics and touch them is so much fun.
BOLD: What can readers expect next – do you have anything exciting you would like to share with us?
LD: Readers can expect more designs, bigger shows, brand collaboration, celebrity collaborations, and expansion of the DivaBigg brand.
BOLD: Do you have a message you want to leave with our readers?
LD: Your flaws (differences) are your beauty.
Follow LaQuinta at:
Website/Blog: www.divabigg.com
Facebook: DivaBigg
Instagram: @ Iamdivabigg
YouTube: iam divabigg
