CURVY model Tia Duffy is back on home turf in Finglas following a fantastic New York adventure during which she came within a whisker of signing a contract worth E250,000 a year.
Stunning Tia is keeping her future options open but for now is content to see what the Irish modelling scene has to offer one of the country’s most famous plus size models.
Tia, who was a teacher at St Michael’s in Finglas before making a name for herself on the catwalks, set off for the Big Apple last year with just e2,000 to her name, but she almost clinched a deal that could have set her up for life.
She auditioned for a lucrative contract with American Eagle and after an intense selection process made it to the final three models. Tia just missed out, but still fully enjoyed her experience in the US.
“It would have changed my life forever,
? she says.
“I was disappointed I didn’t get the contract but the fact that I came close in New York City as a curvy model from Finglas opened my mind to the opportunities there are when you work hard.
“My main motto in life is
‘everything happens for a reason’.
?
Tia’s career started when she began entering pageants as a teenager. She loved the competitions, but wasn’t prepared to change herself just to fit in.
“I never wanted to diet to fit in with models who had a naturally thinner frame,
? she says.
Her big break came when she entered a competition to find a curvy model on TV3’s Expose show. Her face was chosen for the Expose website and modelling jobs started rolling in.
Since returning from New York, Tia has signed up with the Andrea Roche agency, a move she’s thrilled with.
“She is a very talented model and business woman and I’ve always followed her career from a teenager,
? Tia says.
“New York and South Africa are always options for me but now I’m going to try the Irish modelling scene and see what that has to offer me.
?
Tia is keen to pass on what she’s learned during her career and has been recently visiting local schools around North Dublin to talk to young students.
“I have been giving speeches about the media and the effects it has on self image and self esteem,
? she explains.
“I think as a teacher I am a role model and it gives me great pleasure to tell students that you do not need to be stick thin to model.
“Curves are beautiful and also natural and are accepted in the modelling world and media.
“Students were surprised when I revealed a published picture of me, one before airbrushing and one after. Most boys and girls where under the impression that models and people in the public eye actually looked as perfect as they appear in magazines!
?
Tia is happy to combine her modelling work with teaching as it gives her a chance to inspire and be a positive influence for teenagers.
“People think it might be difficult to be a teacher and a model but I disagree as a model can also be a good role model, especially a curvy healthy model,
? she says.
And you really can’t argue with that!