Models of Diversity comes to Blushing Boudoir

Sunday 28th November

Blushing Boudoir recently set out to find the "Face" of the business. We did not want a stereotypical model, we wanted someone that our brides can relate to, a real woman if you like.

After Working With Angel Sinclair of Sinclair Management and Models of Diversity on a previous photoshoot, it made sense to ask Angel if any of her diverse models would be keen on the idea. Models of Diversity are set to change to face of the modelling and fashion industry by demanding that all women get equal representation regardless of race, dress size, ability, age and shape. Angels Models of Diversity campaign has ambassadors for Models of Colour, Plus size, Mature women, Teen models, models of disability, and much more. This is why we felt it was the perfect fit to our business.

Blushing Boudoir is aimed towards real women, real brides so having a "real" women as our poster girl was the only way for us to go. We received a HUGE response from the casting and decided to go with 2 of Angels team. Fabia Cerra, Ambassador for Plus Size Models, and Leonie Sheriff, Ambassador for Models of Colour. As well as Models of Diversity a good friend of mine stepped in to help out with the photoshoot. Sarah Pinder is a primary school teacher and a dance teacher who has a love of modelling, and boy can she pose! The women were outstanding. Each of them brought something different to the shoot.

The shoot tok place at Blushing Boudoir's Essex Photo Studio. Our fantastic photographer, Emma-Rose Flewers, was on hand to capture the beauty of all 3 women. Whilst Emma was setting up the studio with Laura Knight, another great female photographer, I prepped the models for their shoot by giving them their make-overs. The aim was to bring out each of the models natural beauty by emphasising their best features and to make the women feel fabulous.

First to be made over was Sarah. We decided to opt for a natural yet sexy look for sarah, with her sensual curves - which are all in the right places! - great blue/green eyes and a pout that a few women would pay a lot of money for it seemed fitting to give Sarah a Marilyn Monroe style makeover (especially as we had a Monroe wig in the studio!). Once Sarah's fluttery eyelashes had been applied and her make-up finished it was on with the wig and first outfit then straight onto the set for her superstar photoshoot.

Whilst Sarah was striking her best poses for Emma and Laura the make-up chair was being kept warm by the Lovely Leonie Sheriff. The Ambassador for Models of Colour was a delight to work with. A sweet, honest, lovely young woman with a stunning face and amazing features. Leonie made making her over very easy. She really is a natural beauty and did not need much make-up at all. Her skin was gorgeously clear, she needed nothing more than a light sweep of foundation to even her skin tone out slightly. Her pretty eyes were emphasised and her shapely lips were made to "pop". Then she slipped into a luscious pin-up style velvet lingerie set and got straight to work like a true pro.

Our final model of the day was Fabia Cerra. Fabia is a beautiful woman, inside and out. Her charisma was uplifting, making the whole team smile and instantly warm to her. Some of you may recognise Fabia from her appearance on Britain's Got Talent, where she performed a fantastic burlesque dance and completely wowed the judges. She has gone from strength to strength within her burlesque career and her modelling career seems to be going the same way. Fabia is an inspiration to many women, not just plus sized ladies but mothers, dancers and real women in general.

The day was a massive success and the delivery of the most delicious cupcakes, supplied by Heavenleigh Cupcakes, at lunchtime kept everyone chirpy. We could not be more pleased with Emma and Laura's photography work and the models amazing talent and dedication to the shoot. I would recommend every single person on the team to anyone who asks. Blushing Boudoir is delighted to have been able to work with Sinclair Management and Models of Diversity on this project, we are in full support of Angel's campaign and know it is going to make a massive change in the fashion industry.