Modelling a plus for curvy runway star

PLUS- SIZE model Deborah Mutund hopes her appearance at this weekend’s Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week will help change body-image perceptions across South Africa.

“When I started this journey, I made great friends and colleagues. One of our objectives as body-positivity activists was to break all this dogma and beliefs that fashion and beauty could only be represented by a certain category of people,” she said.

Mutund, 27, is set to make history tonight when she models items for local label Ruff Tung. The Congolese- born beauty will become one of the first plus-size models to walk the runway at the event.

“Walking the ramp at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week signifies that our voices have been heard and that our movement is valid. It’s a huge step and we feel honoured,” she said.

“It really is a dream come true. We’ve seen curvy models on the front covers of magazines, in advertising campaigns and on billboards, but seeing them on the runway is a historic first.”

Mutund has made waves on the South African modelling scene since moving to Cape Town in 2009.

“I’m a proud African woman – with the curves to prove it – and I’m truly passionate about the continent and world I share with so many different cultures,” she said.

“You would think that by now, in the 21st century, people would have learnt how to embrace a kaleidoscope of identities, colours, shapes and sizes that make up the world, but regrettably young men and women in every corner of the world are still slaves to advertising ideals and unattainable physical perfection.”

Mutund has always loved fashion and beauty, but it wasn’t until 2012 that her modelling career began.

As a child she took part in beauty pageants – and won. The more she took part in such pageants, the more she dreamt of becoming a model.

“I walked into D&A modelling agency one day in 2012 to accompany my sister and my friend, who were tall and skinny as any typical model.

“They wanted to get signed and asked if I could ask for them since I’m good at interacting with people.

“I was mortified. I didn’t know what to say. The minute I walked in there, Andrea Bap- tista, the director, asked me if I wanted to be a curve model. I said, ‘yes, of course’, and I ended up being the only one leaving with a contract that day.”

Mutund oozes confidence, but she said that wasn’t always the case: “Just like most other women, I have a lot of insecurities. When I was younger, I was taught that I was not beautiful because I didn’t look like the women I saw on TV and in magazines.”

Mutund has tried several diets: “I must say, I pick up weight very easily. A one-week vacation and I have 2kg on.

“But the difference today is that I love myself enough to not compare my body with other people’s bodies.

“I love myself enough to look after myself and my body. I exercise, and I eat as well as possible without making it a big deal.

“I believe I can achieve anything I put my mind to. I feel really good in my skin at the moment.”

Mutund has loved every bit of her career thus far, but has had her share of lows.

“Being judged and measured by your physical appearance is psychologically hard. Unless you have a lot of self-esteem, the amount of rejection can definitely discourage you.

“Also, the number of clients working with curve models in South Africa is relatively small compared to Europe and the US.”

In 2014, Mutund completed her public relations diploma and was supposed to go home and “have a normal 9-5 job”.

“Until today, it’s hard to convince my family that I’m making the right choice by pursuing my modelling career in South Africa,” she said.

Mutund plans to launch her own fashion label by the end of the year.

Deborah Mutund, 27.