By Nicole Crews
Photography by Nancy Sidelinger
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Gabrielle. If it sounds too French, relax, this girl is as American as apple pie — albeit a la mode. And while you're at it throw in some nuts, because Gabrielle is one of the few models who's allowed to eat pretty much what she wants. At five-foot-ten and a solid size 12, the Winston-Salem resident is one of rising stars of the plus modeling industry. She's done runway shows on ABC's "The View" and the WB's "Queen Latifah Show" and "Late Night With Conan O'Brien," she's appeared in YM Magazine, Mode and most recently starred in "Curve,’’ documentary about the plus-size modeling industry. She's an actress and singer who has a contract with the internationally known agencies Click and Look as well as about a dozen other regional agencies — and at the same time she's an on-again, off-again opera student (depending upon her bookings) at the North Carolina School of the Arts. Sound like a full plate? You betcha. And Gabrielle wouldn't have it any other way.
How did you get involved in modeling?
I'm originally from San Francisco and I was a straight size model as a teen. I was actually 45 pounds underweight if you can believe it. When I started getting curves I figured it was all over, and then I saw something on television about plus-size modeling and pursued it. It was funny, at the time I was too big to be a straight model and too skinny to be a plus. It was either lose 30 pounds or gain 40.
So do you get a lot of great free clothes?
Some. If you do a show for say Belk or Macy's, no. But if you work for an actual designer or manufacturer you get tons. I have tons of things I'm sure I'll never wear. The biggest perk is the travel. I just flew in from San Francisco and I'm off to New York next week and I've had lots of experience overseas. It's perfect because now that I'm getting established I can live in Winston and commute.
What do you have to do to maintain a consistent size?
It's funny, I certainly eat, but I also work out. But whereas a straight model spends hours a day at it, I go to the gym for an hour or hour and a half four or five days a week for toning. I'm actually on the small size for a plus size model and I've been criticized for it.
How has plus-size modeling changed your views on women's bodies?
I actually believe that plus-size is a derogatory term, because 65 percent of women in America are a size 14 and up. We're the norm and I'm just happy that I can represent real women. I hate the idea that there are women who are putting off living their lives until they can get their size down.
Got an idea for a Walk-In Closet? Contact Nicole at nicrews@aol.com.
