Models Clementine Desseaux and Charli Howard are already synonymous with the body positive movement for their calling out of unachievable beauty standards within the modelling industry and for celebrating their own, real beauty.
The two launched All Woman Project back in September 2016, which is a campaign to empower and change the conversation surrounding typical beauty ideals – beginning with a core of diverse models and extending to other women on social media who are in their own way, celebrating their beauty and womanhood. You may have seen my own short video that I was invited to film for the project. If not, here it is…(lol)
The project aims to encourage huge brands to be more inclusive and varied with their choice of models so that all women can feel represented. I caught up with founder and model Clementine Desseaux to learn more about her own battles with body confidence and the future of All Woman Project.
Why did you decide to set All Woman Project up?
Charli and I were feeling that most models and women were feeling left out by the fashion Industry and reflectively by society. Any difference means non-acceptance. We wanted to help change that and we came up with our own way to do so.
What is it like working with such a diverse and brilliant group of girls? How did you all find each other?
Charli and I met for the first time over lunch and came up with the idea, and from there we started talking to our core group of girls including Iskra Lawrence, Denise Bidot, Heather Hazzan and Lily Cummings. We spread our casting from there!
We wanted women that were involved with body positivity and self love.
Have you always been confident in your own skin? What has your own journey with your body and health been like? Have you had to work hard at it?
No I grew up fighting my body and kept doubting my capacity to live a great life because it was different. It was a challenge that I eventually could overcome in my 20s – quite recently.
Do you have any advice for women who are not happy with themselves?
Many women do not know where to start when feeling unhappy. My advice would be to identify the reason first. The real one. Being overweight is rarely the reason, it’s more the result. It takes courage and strength to identify the problem and take actions to change it.
My life got better when I moved out of France. That was my decision. I was freaked out, but it was needed.
Why do you love your food? Why is it important for you?
I love cooking. The process of not only feeding your body and soul but more importantly sharing with others and making them happy is what I love about cooking!
Eating is probably my favourite experience on a daily basis. I love to exercise my taste buds by giving them something new and exciting.
Why do you believe it’s important for women to be open about their struggles and to accept themselves for who they are?
Women need to open up and break myths that men set for us to reach. We don’t have to compete with each other, we can co-exist and support each other instead.
Accepting one’s self regardless of what society thinks is a really strong and bold step, however it shouldn’t be.
What does being a woman mean to you?
It means power. I have the power of being whoever I want to be and decide what my life can be.
What is in the future for yourself and All Woman Project? What do you hope to achieve with it?
The All Woman Project just turned into a foundation and will be visiting schools nationwide and Worldwide in 2017. We’re planning our next edition of the AWP to be released late January and we look forward to present to you our next role models!
I am going to keep doing what I am doing, growing my model career, my company and the AWP foundation.
