Born in Washington DC and raised in a Maryland suburb, Candice Huffine did a little bit little bit of the whole lot when she was once rising up, from being captain of the cheerleading squad to taking her flip as a competition queen.
“It was once ‘standard’ in a Hallmark film roughly means, I assume,” Huffine tells POPSUGAR. “Those main points are essential to say as a result of they did affect my existence trail. I willingly put myself on a degree at each and every flip — and no longer all the time sort ones — to do the issues I liked or to observe a dream I had.”
Huffine, 39, signed her first modeling contract in 2000. She was once “made up our minds” to be a type, in spite of the fad trade being notoriously discriminatory towards plus-size folks. Understanding the percentages had been stacked in opposition to her propelled Huffine even additional towards knowing her dream.
“After I gained a freelance as a plus-size type, it unlocked a brand new undertaking in me: not to pursue modeling only for myself, however to push tougher than ever to create trade in a spot that does not simply open its doorways.”
When she was once 15, she went to New York Town to talk over with “numerous companies,” taking a look to be signed and get instantly to paintings, however the truth wasn’t fairly what she had envisioned. “I used to be very naive and knew not anything concerning the trade and skilled numerous rejection,” she recollects. “After I gained a freelance as a plus-size type, it unlocked a brand new undertaking in me: not to pursue modeling only for myself, however to push tougher than ever to create trade in a spot that does not simply open its doorways. I sought after to end up I belonged.”
Now with a decades-long modeling occupation that is nonetheless going robust, she has executed simply that. From gracing the duvet of Elle in Might 2017 to starring in Luvlette‘s newest underwear marketing campaign, Huffine’s number of accolades assists in keeping rising.
Forward, the type and newlywed — she eloped in Las Vegas on Aug. 25, 2023, marrying her spouse Shelly Lynch-Sparks in a customized sheer lace Christian Siriano glance — opens up about her trailblazing trail, her private taste evolution, and what frustrates her probably the most concerning the resurgence of ’90s and ’00s tendencies.
POPSUGAR: What do you revel in maximum about being a type?
Candice Huffine: Actually, I revel in each and every unmarried factor. Being a type is one thing I have dreamt of from an excessively younger age. It is the best factor I mentioned while you requested what I sought after to be after I grew up. What I did not know on the time I proclaimed this, despite the fact that, was once how deeply essential the task of a type may be. I discovered early on that the facility of a picture may well be more than myself if I used to be ready to be truthful and unfastened. I sought after younger ladies to develop up another way than I did. I sought after them to like what they noticed and no longer be on fad diets within the lunchroom and really feel empowered to overcome the arena as a substitute of a really perfect get dressed length.
I discovered that my paintings as a type — in an trade the place I used to be the exception and no longer the norm — may make an have an effect on and put into effect trade within the illustration we had been all in quest of in style and media. I really like dressing up, posing, having glam hair and make-up, however let me inform you, creating a distinction is what I revel in maximum. That is one of the crucial causes I used to be so extremely joyful to spouse with an inclusive emblem like Luvlette and shoot their marketing campaign with an all-female, empowering group. The emblem strives to make folks really feel assured to like and have a good time their individuality and natural good looks.
PS: What is your own taste like now, and the way has your own taste advanced over the years?
CH: My private taste is vintage and undying with a little of aptitude. Whilst I funny story about dressed in an abundance of black, it does lend itself to being an ideal canvas to construct upon time and time once more. I upload a pop of one thing particular to a elementary glance, whether or not it is a antique jacket or a brilliant bag. The way in which this manner has advanced over the years is I have gotten wiser about what I put money into and search for items that are not only a wild one-time use. This “do it for the image” manner was once no longer good for my garage, pockets, or the planet. So, see, with time, my taste has develop into wiser!
PS: What else can the fad trade do with reference to plus-size illustration?
CH: To not be too temporary right here, however I need to see extra. I would like to peer extra manufacturers, like Luvlette, decide to representing and celebrating people of all sizes.
“Dimension does no longer equivalent well being, and weight does no longer equivalent price. You’ll be curvy and robust and wholesome and liked and satisfied and a success.”
PS: Are there misconceptions about plus-size fashions that you wish to have to dispel?
CH: I believe it is price repeating, as I have labored very laborious to precise over the entire of my occupation, that length does no longer point out well being. Reasonably numerous armchair professionals and social media medical doctors appear frightened about my well-being, and it makes me chortle. Dimension does no longer equivalent well being, and weight does no longer equivalent price. You’ll be curvy and robust and wholesome and liked and satisfied and a success. Complete forestall.
PS: Inform me a few time to your existence while you took a step again and felt like, “I have made it.”
CH: I if truth be told do that fairly steadily, particularly if I am on set for a emblem, with a type or photographer I idolize, or I’m taking pictures for a emblem I used to paintings [for] within the retail retailer, or when a chum sends me an image and their daughter is in entrance of my billboard. The ones all really feel like “I have made it” moments. I pinch myself steadily and pause to be thankful.
PS: Which style pieces are you loving in recent years, and why?
CH: I’m LOVING loafers, wide-leg denims, trousers, and sheer the whole lot for day or night time — or your wedding ceremony day, too. The Luvlette Strapless bra in black is the easiest basis piece to sing their own praises below mesh and lace tops.
PS: What is your best time without work?
CS: The easiest time without work can be an excellent cup of espresso (bonus issues if it is from my store One Trick Pony), an extended stroll at the seaside on a wonderfully sunny and crisp day with my spouse and our canines, antiquing, oysters, a pitcher of wine at a winery, a home-cooked meal, and a sport of playing cards by way of the hearth.
PS: Which ’90s and ’00s style tendencies do you stay in rotation? How do you replace them for 2024?
CH: I’m a large fan of this ’90s and ’00s resurgence, however am so pissed off I’ve to shop for all of it once more as many of the items I’m dressed in now, I had the precise replica of in highschool. A minimum of my signature taste has remained constant! Both means, I am again in my Nike Dunks, saggy Calvin Klein Denims, and, dare I say, crop tees. I attempt to lift and replace my throwback glance and make it [contemporary] by way of including luxe gold jewellery, a leather-based handbag, and a pleasant jacket/layering piece. Within the ’00s, I think like I by no means wore jackets. Now it is all about elegant boxy blazers and ditchs.
PS: What is your self-care regimen like?
CH: My self-care regimen is essential each bodily and mentally. It is composed of normal health, one thing I’ve admittedly fallen out of regimen till just lately. I’m excited to be beginning over, doing issues I really like like working, and newly introducing Pilates. Whilst it additionally is composed of such things as getting nice sleep, or carving out time to do skincare, and so forth., any other facet is honoring my wishes by way of finding out to step again, say no, and decelerate when important. Sheet mask and social battery recharging are equivalent companions in self-care.