Candice Huffine Luvlette Lingerie Interview

Born in Washington DC and raised in a Maryland suburb, Candice Huffine did somewhat little bit of every thing when she was rising up, from being captain of the cheerleading squad to taking her flip as a pageant queen.

“It was ‘typical’ in a Hallmark film type of approach, I assume,” Huffine tells POPSUGAR. “These particulars are essential to say as a result of they did affect my life path. I willingly put myself on a stage at each flip — and never at all times variety ones — to do the issues I cherished or to observe a dream I had.”

Huffine, 39, signed her first modeling contract in 2000. She was “decided” to be a mannequin, regardless of the style business being notoriously discriminatory towards plus-size individuals. Understanding the chances had been stacked in opposition to her propelled Huffine even additional towards realizing her dream.

When she was 15, she went to New York Metropolis to go to “numerous companies,” seeking to be signed and get straight to work, however the actuality wasn’t fairly what she had envisioned. “I used to be very naive and knew nothing concerning the business and skilled numerous rejection,” she recollects. “After I obtained a contract as a plus-size mannequin, it unlocked a brand new mission in me: to not pursue modeling only for myself, however to push more durable than ever to create change in a spot that does not simply open its doorways. I wished to show I belonged.”

Now with a decades-long modeling profession that is nonetheless going robust, she has performed simply that. From gracing the duvet of Elle in Could 2017 to starring in Luvlette‘s newest lingerie marketing campaign, Huffine’s assortment of accolades retains rising.

Forward, the mannequin and newlywed — she eloped in Las Vegas on Aug. 25, 2023, marrying her accomplice Shelly Lynch-Sparks in a customized sheer lace Christian Siriano look — opens up about her trailblazing path, her private model evolution, and what frustrates her probably the most concerning the resurgence of ’90s and ’00s tendencies.

POPSUGAR: What do you take pleasure in most about being a mannequin?

Candice Huffine: Actually, I take pleasure in each single factor. Being a mannequin is one thing I’ve dreamt of from a really younger age. It is the one factor I mentioned if you requested what I wished to be after I grew up. What I did not know on the time I proclaimed this, although, was how deeply essential the job of a mannequin might be. I realized early on that the facility of a picture might be better than myself if I used to be capable of be trustworthy and free. I wished younger women to develop up in a different way than I did. I wished them to like what they noticed and never be on fad diets within the lunchroom and really feel empowered to overcome the world as an alternative of a great costume dimension.

I realized that my work as a mannequin — in an business the place I used to be the exception and never the norm — might make an influence and implement change within the illustration we had been all in search of in trend and media. I like dressing up, posing, having glam hair and make-up, however let me inform you, making a distinction is what I take pleasure in most. That is one of many causes I used to be so thrilled to accomplice with an inclusive model like Luvlette and shoot their marketing campaign with an all-female, empowering crew. The model strives to make individuals really feel assured to like and rejoice their individuality and pure magnificence.

PS: What’s your private model like now, and the way has your private model developed over time?

CH: My private model is traditional and timeless with a little bit of aptitude. Whereas I joke about sporting an abundance of black, it does lend itself to being an ideal canvas to construct upon time and time once more. I add a pop of one thing particular to a fundamental look, whether or not it is a classic jacket or a shiny bag. The best way this method has developed over time is I’ve gotten wiser about what I spend money on and search for items that are not only a wild one-time use. This “do it for the image” method was not sensible for my storage, pockets, or the planet. So, see, with time, my model has turn out to be wiser!

PS: What else can the style business do with reference to plus-size illustration?

CH: To not be too temporary right here, however I need to see extra. I’d like to see extra manufacturers, like Luvlette, decide to representing and celebrating people of all sizes.

PS: Are there misconceptions about plus-size fashions that you just need to dispel?

CH: I feel it is price repeating, as I’ve labored very laborious to specific over the entire of my profession, that dimension doesn’t point out well being. Numerous armchair specialists and social media medical doctors appear anxious about my well-being, and it makes me snigger. Dimension doesn’t equal well being, and weight doesn’t equal price. You might be curvy and powerful and wholesome and cherished and blissful and profitable. Full cease.

PS: Inform me a couple of time in your life if you took a step again and felt like, “I’ve made it.”

CH: I really do that very often, particularly if I am on set for a model, with a mannequin or photographer I idolize, or I’m taking pictures for a model I used to work [for] within the retail retailer, or when a buddy sends me an image and their daughter is in entrance of my billboard. These all really feel like “I’ve made it” moments. I pinch myself usually and pause to be grateful.

PS: Which trend objects are you loving these days, and why?

CH: I’m LOVING loafers, wide-leg denims, trousers, and sheer every thing for day or evening — or your wedding ceremony day, too. The Luvlette Strapless bra in black is the right basis piece to indicate off underneath mesh and lace tops.

PS: What’s your excellent time without work?

CS: The right time without work could be an amazing cup of espresso (bonus factors if it is from my store One Trick Pony), an extended stroll on the seaside on a superbly sunny and crisp day with my spouse and our canines, antiquing, oysters, a glass of wine at a winery, a home-cooked meal, and a sport of playing cards by the fireplace.

PS: Which ’90s and ’00s trend tendencies do you retain in rotation? How do you replace them for 2024?

CH: I’m an enormous fan of this ’90s and ’00s resurgence, however am so pissed off I’ve to purchase all of it once more as many of the items I’m sporting now, I had the precise copy of in highschool. Not less than my signature model has remained constant! Both approach, I am again in my Nike Dunks, saggy Calvin Klein Denims, and, dare I say, crop tees. I attempt to elevate and replace my throwback look and make it [contemporary] by including luxe gold jewellery, a leather-based purse, and a pleasant jacket/layering piece. Within the ’00s, I really feel like I by no means wore jackets. Now it is all about stylish boxy blazers and trenches.

PS: What’s your self-care routine like?

CH: My self-care routine is essential each bodily and mentally. It consists of normal health, one thing I’ve admittedly fallen out of routine till just lately. I’m excited to be beginning over, doing issues I like like working, and newly introducing Pilates. Whereas it additionally consists of issues like getting nice sleep, or carving out time to do skincare, and many others., one other facet is honoring my wants by studying to step again, say no, and decelerate when obligatory. Sheet masks and social battery recharging are equal companions in self-care.