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My best advice is to celebrate your own unique features and never put them down. There is beauty in individuality, and it's so important to appreciate everything your body allows you to do. It's OK to have a down day - we all do from time to time - but it's not OK to compare yourself to others.
Philomena Kwao
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The curvy community has really given me a voice because people want to see someone who looks like they do. They want to know their beauty is valid.
Philomena Kwao
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There is beauty everywhere. But if I had to narrow it down, I absolutely adore Beyonce. She's the ultimate icon for me. I also love Naomi CampbelI, Jourdan Dunn, Joan Smalls, Daria Werbowy, and Genevieve Nnaji.
Philomena Kwao
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Torrid has given me an amazing opportunity. I can reach out to different girls and help them realize that they are beautiful, too.
Philomena Kwao
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If a brand wants a specific girl, they want a specific girl, wherever you are.
Philomena Kwao
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I've inherited so much culture, beauty, and love, and I'm the perfect mix of Philomena.
Philomena Kwao
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It's refreshing to see plus women being treated as part of the fashion community as a whole and not just a separate piece or separate different thing.
Philomena Kwao
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I've been lucky enough to do a few editorials in the U.K., but I've never even been on a casting for mainstream commercial work. When I try to understand it, I think people are scared to try something new.
Philomena Kwao
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Sometimes you never realise how much of an effect you're having on people until you're told, and the fan mail I receive has made me very aware of the positive effects I have on other people.
Philomena Kwao
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I think that the plus-size industry has been great with size diversity, but it hasn't really been great for skin tone diversity.
Philomena Kwao
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I try and work out as much as I can because when you exercise, it releases endorphins and makes you feel really good. I also make sure I schedule time with my friends, family, and loved ones because I realize that, as well as your physical well-being, you have to look out for your mental well-being, too.
Philomena Kwao
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No woman anywhere should be denied access to quality healthcare because of race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status.
Philomena Kwao
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By being present and being true, I believe that, in my own way, I am promoting diversity.
Philomena Kwao
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The #SwimSexy campaign is redefining standards of beauty, and I'm proud to be a part of it. My hope is that this campaign connects with women and girls of all ages, body-types, races, and backgrounds.
Philomena Kwao
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We are all beautiful.
Philomena Kwao
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When I started, there was only one other girl that I could name that was even close to my shade. I didn't understand why there weren't more black plus-size models with darker skin tones. It feels like the final frontier of beauty is to be black, to be plus, to have natural hair.
Philomena Kwao
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My hair is extremely dry and fragile, so moisture is key. I love black castor oil, shea butter, and lots of water.
Philomena Kwao
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In Ghana, most of the women I know do not identify as sexy, and the reason may be cultural. With imported beauty standards from the West, it seems that many African women feel they need to be fair and slim to be beautiful.
Philomena Kwao
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I hope to show people everywhere that you can be unapologetically you and still succeed. I also hope that by using more diverse models, brands can see that there is power in diversity, and not shy away from doing something new for fear of failure. The effects are bigger than just the fashion industry.
Philomena Kwao
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I want to use my voice to better health care for pregnant women.
Philomena Kwao
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For me, less is more. I don't often wear makeup, but when I do, a little concealer and some powder go a long way.
Philomena Kwao
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I have to congratulate L'Oreal on its True Match foundation range. It's my go-to foundation, and I absolutely love it.
Philomena Kwao
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My mom and my sisters have helped me to be comfortable with who I am. It's a process of loving yourself as you are. I can say that it's been a journey. I see the changes little by little.
Philomena Kwao
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The brands that choose to use me, my agency and social media have given me a face and a voice.
Philomena Kwao
