Exclusive Interview With Ms Hinkelmann Choice, CEO, MISS CURVY NIGERIA

Last year was a memorable year for the plus-size community as we witnessed several events committed to celebrating plus size women and curves in Nigeria. The success of these events created more awareness for the community and in a lot of ways encouraged young girls and ladies who have resorted to body shaming and shyness to re-evaluate themselves and understand that our body and identities shift over time. But radical self-love continues to be unconditional and unapologetic. Being body positive is an amazing feeling. However it seems ridiculous that loving your body isn't a "normal" trait for Nigerian Ladies.

Miss Curvy Nigeria 2014 held on Saturday 31st May 2014 in Lagos is one of these events. Following its success, Miss Hinkelmann Choice, The CEO, MISS CURVY NIGERIA shares with Emerald-Fashion Blog her experience, challenges and expectations; including how she wants to make an impact on the Nigerian plus size industry.

Read excerpts from her interview below:

Emerald-Fashion Blog: Let’s meet you. Tell us about yourself?

Hinkelmann Choice: I am Hinkelmann Choice (aka JJ), from Edo state. I was born in July 4^th. I had my BSC, in public Admin at AAU. I also have a certificate as a Make Up Artist from House of Tara. (smile) I think that all for now.

Emerald-Fashion Blog:  Before Miss Curvy Nigeria started, you manage a plus size modeling agency? Tell us about it.

Hinkelmann Choice: Thick African Fab modeling agency is the name. It is an agency to promote plus size ladies. If you check out the modeling agencies right now, you will see that the plus Size are been neglected. That is why we came up with it, so fashion designers can have a good market in that area because they are the real Africa society women.

Emerald-Fashion Blog:  What spurred your interest/passion to plus size? Why Plus size?

Hinkelmann Choice: My interest to plus size was as a result of the death of my friend, who went abroad for  operation to slim down because she was not proud of her size and she died in the process. So I said, to myself, are this people not  part of the society, so I put it upon myself to change the mind set of others ,that you are the best God has made of an Africa woman so be proud of yourself. That is where the story started.

Emerald-Fashion Blog: What inspired Miss curvy Nigeria pageant and why plus size pageant?

Hinkelmann Choice: Miss curvy Nigeria came out of the heart and love, I have for plus size ladies, I find out is was a little difficult for designers and companies to buy into them that is why I came up with a platform of a reality show that can put them out there on social media etc.

Emerald-Fashion Blog: Tell us about Miss Curvy Nigeria, its vision and mission?

Hinkelmann Choice: Miss curvy Nigeria is a plus size reality pageant of ladies between 18-32 years, size 12 and above in Nigeria. The vision/mission is to make all plus size ladies, believe, have confidence and be proud of yourself. You are a role model to a lot of people out there.

Emerald-Fashion Blog: What do you think is the relevance of a plus size beauty pageant in our society?

Hinkelmann Choice: Well.. We are just introducing it, with time it will become a Household Name. The society need it because that make you the real Africa woman, meanwhile skinny is not our culture is a western culture, that we have to adopt.

Emerald-Fashion Blog:  How responsive where people about Miss Curvy Nigeria 2014 before the event?

Hinkelmann Choice: Is really something to talk about ….. you know when you are trying to start a vision is always not very easy because you have all manners of cancels, some believe in it, others do not but the event was a successful. You know curvy ladies has this endowment when they came out on stage, everybody was so amaze, see them hitting the runway in different outfit and talent display, I must tell you if you missed last year ,  please don’t miss this year.

Emerald-Fashion Blog:  What are the down sides of plus size pageants in Nigeria?

Hinkelmann Choice: Plus size pageant in Nigeria is really difficult to push because everybody is used to skinny models.

Emerald-Fashion Blog: What challenges did you faced while preparing Miss Curvy Nigeria pageant?

Hinkelmann Choice: You know, one of the thing, we will tell Nigeria to believe in people's dream and see how you can support it. Not until we have done the 2014 edition that was a successful and was produced by one woman and team who believe in the vision.

Emerald-Fashion Blog:  How responsive were individuals and companies to partnering and Sponsoring the event?

Hinkelmann Choice: 2014 there was no company sponsor it was just support from friends and family. Thanks to all my media patners and friends who believed in us.

Emerald-Fashion Blog: Where do you see Miss Curvy Nigeria in 5 years?

Hinkelmann Choice: Hmmm, I see miss curvy Nigeria in 5years on international platform and have produce great plus size ladies in Africa. We plan to make it talk of the world and a Household name.

Emerald-Fashion Blog: As Miss Curvy Nigeria motto quotes, ‘Curve is the true beauty of an African woman’, can you elaborate on this relating it to today’s Nigerians and their response to ‘plus size’ in general?

Hinkelmann Choice: Like I said earlier on skinny is not our culture, the true beauty of an African woman is d curves. There was a product a company brought to SA for d woman we they wear it, trust it hang on top of the curves, they had to reproduce for African. That is to tell you that when you look at an African woman what you see is the curves. Smiles*

Emerald-Fashion Blog:  Do you think plus size women are recognized in the Nigerian fashion industry?

Hinkelmann Choice: Plus size is really the society because everyone is diverting into the western culture which is skinny.  So you have more fashion designers on that line but the society is the plus size ladies so designer make dress for them on request, it has not become a daily market product. With this project now it will become a daily outfit.

Emerald-Fashion Blog: Do you think people are coming around to appreciate that the plus size industry in Nigeria has come to stay?

Hinkelmann Choice: Yes! It has, we have done a lot of research that designer has been looking up to this.

Emerald-Fashion Blog: What’s on the plate for the next Miss Curvy Nigeria?

Hinkelmann Choice: Last year audition was just in 3 states, but this year is hitting about 12 state in Nigeria for auditions. This year by God's grace is going to be massive.

Emerald-Fashion Blog: When is Miss Curvy Nigeria 2015 coming up?

Hinkelmann Choice: It's in the month of May. By God’s Grace.

Emerald-Fashion Blog: What are your expectations for this year’s event?

Hinkelmann Choice: It’s a family event, every one watch out for the biggest event ever in the month of MAY. For those that are not in Nigeria, it’s going to on your screen live online.

Emerald-Fashion Blog:  How can ladies be part of this year’s event?

Hinkelmann Choice: Every curvy ladies all over Nigeria outside this country visit our website, www.misscurvyng.com download the form pay 4,000, to any UBA bank nationwide. Follow us on facebook: misscurvyng, twitter: @misscurvyng and get update.

Emerald-Fashion Blog: What is your message to young plus size ladies out there?

Hinkelmann Choice: Be Bold, Believe in yourself, Trust in yourself, Let nobody ever talk you down, Be Proud of who you are, Be Proud of yourself. You are the True beauty of an African woman. Thanks

If you have more questions for Hinkelmann Choice, please use the comment box.