Velvet d’Amour – Model Icon

June 2011

Velvet d’Amour is a Paris-based, American artist, originally from Rochester, NY, interested in using her various talents to challenge modern media’s stringent beauty dictate, in order to promote diversity and self acceptance. The world of French contemporary dance was the first to introduce Velvet d’Amour to the spotlight when she joined Lionel Hoche’s Meme Banjo. Thereafter, she took the lead role in Kadarevsky, performing at Pallais Chaillot Trocadero, as well as on tour in France. Subsequently, she joined Cyrill Davy’s, C Yoshi M dance company, performing in VPP. She also toured to Rome and Madrid, dancing in the Push Tour, choreographed by Marco Da Silva.

As a model, she has been sought out by renowned photographer’s such as Ellen Von Unwerth, Rancinan, Danieleiango, ilariomagali, and Louis DeCamps. Xavier Lambours placed her between Jean Luc Goddard and Frederico Fellini, in his coveted book CINEMA. Additionally, Nick Knight included her in his French VOGUE editorial (John Galliano’s Spring 2006 collection).

Velvet literally shocked the world, with her inclusion as a model on the elite, typically ‘Size Zero, runways of Paris. At 39 years old, and nearing 300 lbs., she modeled for John Galliano’s Spring 2006 ‘Everybody is Beautiful’ prêt-à-porter runway show, as well as, Jean Paul Gautier’s 2007 Spring/Summer prèt-â-porter collection.

Her acting skills are highlighted in the title role of, AVIDA, the 2006 surreal French film by Gustave Kervern and Benoît Delépine, (produced by Matthieu Kassovitz)), which was selected for numerous film festivals, including the 2006 Cannes and 2007 Tribeca film festivals.

She appeared in the French comedy film La Baltringue. Velvet’s televised appearances are universal, including Japanese Fuji, Nippon and Kakumai TV networks. In France, on Groland, Vivrement Dimanche, Tele Loisirs, L’Arene de France, Morandini, 24 Heure People. In America, she appears as judge on Oxygen Network’s top rated Monique’s Fat Chance (Paris), Entertainment Tonight,  E!News, andCBS Sunday Morning, as well as in Switzerland, on the popular Nouvo.  Additionally, she has performed in several French music videos, including: 7 Questions, Neg Marrons, and Scarlett Queens. The trendy group, FANCY, specifically sought Velvet out to model with them for a Parisian photo exhibition.

Velvet is a published photographer. She uses her intense passion for the art of photography as a primary tool to encourage self acceptance, (particularly amongst plus size women), as well as to challenge current media bias towards a stringent, singular vision of beauty. She regularly contributes to popular plus size magazines such as Skorch, Venus Diva and Plus Model Magazine. Also magazines like Spain’s Calle 20, and French uber-fashionable Standard magazine.  Her work can be viewed on her photography website at www.velvetography.com

Velvet was sought out by Camilla Al Fayed to perform at The Ritz for the elite fashion magazine, ACNE Paper party, (pictures of which can be seen on Style.com ). Other projects include Plus Model Radio interview and numerous blog interviews, and performing in the Cannes film festival and an exposition of her photography to benefit the battered women’s charity Safe Journey.

In 2010 Velvet was selected to participate in TF1’s, LA FERME CELEBRITIE (Celebrity Farm), where she made it through nine of the ten weeks living in the rough, caring for wild animals on a nature reserve in South Africa. Velvet raised over $73,000 for her chosen charity, SOS ENFANTS DISPARUS (Fondation pour l’Enfants).

Upcoming projects include, a feature in Vogue Curvy, her inclusion in Valerie Belin’s burlesque art expo in NYC, a feature on Tellement Vrai (Popular French TV show), shooting for several plus magazines in UK and USA amoungst others, an appearance in an Axel Engstfeld documentary film for ARTE, as well as the release of several songs in which she sings lead vocals.

Velvet d’Amour is represented in Paris by WANTED MODELS, in Belgium by DOMINIQUE MODELS.

Velvet aims to change our notion of beauty to be more inclusive. If you are interested in being shot by Velvet please contact her at: bbwvelvet@yahoo.com or www.velvetography.com

We here at plusforus.com would like to thank Velvet and wish her much success in 2011 and beyond!

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