Marciel Hopkins: cellulite, stretch marks and flab are real!

Marciel Hopkins doesn’t care about cellulite or ‘labels’ and so should you.

The brunette beauty is also a motivational speaker, life coach and the first curve model featured in World Swimsuit 2017, so when Marciel has something to say… we listen.

First things first – you are beautiful! Please tell us more about your workout routine and diet?

I try to workout at least 4 times a week. I love to spin, shape or swim at the gym. Over weekends I love to go hiking. Cape Town has so many beautiful options.

When it comes to dieting, I love real, raw food! I try to avoid processed food and sugars and I eat as many different colours of raw fruits and veggies as possible. I am not big on alcohol or fizzy drinks, I rather drink lots of water and rooibos/green tea.

Are you labelled ‘plus size model’ by profession?

I am classified as a plus size model by the fashion industry, but I like to refer to myself as a curve model. It is an uplifting and positive way of branding myself, because it refers to something I choose to celebrate.

I am 1.78m tall and a size 14. I don’t have control over what other people or the fashion industry calls me.

A lot of curvy women are scared of the beach, myself included. What advice can you give to owning beach body- confidence?

If you have a body, you have a bikini body. It is nonsense that you need to be “bikini ready” before you can go to the beach in your swimwear. We allow the media and the world around us to limit our own fun and freedom. Take ownership of your body.

How I really feel about being called plus size: It’s the way I am branded by the industry I work in, although it’s not a term I will ever use to define myself. The fact that I am a size 14 and seen as plus size, implies that half of the population’s women are ‘bigger’ than what they are ‘supposed’ to be. That can’t be healthy for any woman’s self worth and image! I would go so far as to say that half of the population’s women suffer from emotional abuse while shopping: We can’t find a ‘sexy’ jean in our size, because chain stores simply don’t accomodate women bigger than a size 14. So we always feel depressed and unworthy after leaving the changing room. This is so wrong!! There should be sizes for all different body types in all different clothing types: cup sizes, jeans, swimwear, dresses etc. Basically, body diversity should be normalised! We should not be categorising clothing in straight or plus-sizes. Why are we putting people in boxes according to the size of their bum!? Why do more curvy ladies always struggle to find ‘sexy’ jeans in their size?? Drop the plus! Body diversity and inclusivity should be the norm. #bodydiversity #inclusivity #droptheplus #everybodyisbeautiful #bodypositive #healthnotsize #dietculture #brainwashed #plussize #emotionalabuse #categories #selfworth #selflove #beautybeyondsize

A post shared by Marciel Hopkins (@marcielhopkins) on Jul 23, 2017 at 6:26am PDT

Cellulite, stretch marks and flab are real!

You lost 14kg in 4 months to participate in Ms South Africa. If you could turn back time, would you go through the process all over again and why?

Yes, I would go through it all over again! Never in my life have I chased a goal so big and scary. Miss South Africa was never the end, it was only my beginning. Through the whole process I built a platform for myself to grow as a model, public speaker and future life coach.

Being in the modelling industry, what do you think it is about you and your style that attracts people?

I believe in treating all people with the same respect and dignity. Always remember that you are a walking CV. Your character reads in bold when you are on time, presentable and prepared.

Why do you think it’s taken so long for women of bigger sizes to be recognized?

People are more informed and opinionated these days, because we have easy access to information via the internet and social media. The fact is women come in all shapes in sizes. Certain fashion labels are slowly starting to include more diversity, because it is a great opportunity for them to expand their brand.

On a final note, when do you feel the sexiest?

When I am wearing an outfit that compliments my body! I can wear a very sexy dress, but if I constantly need to pull it down or try to cover my boobs, it takes away a lot of my confidence.

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