A Plus Size Entrepreneur, Jamila Choyce is the owner of Choyce International Plus Size Model Management, which is the first licensed and bonded agency geared toward Plus Size Talent in California.
In 2010, after being laid off as an elementary school teacher, she embarked upon the world of acting and eventually plus size modeling. At a blazing 5’9’, and size 16 she did not fit into Hollywood’s stereotype of beauty. Although she landed a few commercials, court shows, and pilots, her acting head shoots was the key to open the door to her new career.
“During my tenure at my last school, the residential address was a homeless shelter. I saw many students aimless come and go with any structure or future. As an entrepreneur, I have the opportunity to assistant homeless children. You do not have to affluent to help others. The utmost criteria is that you open your heart and do whatever you can. Therefore, I pledge that I will donate 5% of the net profits of each bra sold will go towards assisting homeless students.”
The campaign, “Models with a Cause – commits to 100 Bras Sold equals 100 pack backs to homeless students!”
After being signed with three talent agents and driving from Northern California to Southern California, she wanted more! She felt the same frustration and anguish of other plus size talent. In 2011, the door of plus size modeling was thrusted open when submitted to a talent agency for plus size models. She began writing a column for a plus size publication and started her own talk show interviewing plus size designers and models. As a plus size model, she was very active making television and radio appearances as well as producing, styling, and designing for live fashion shows. Most notably, her first national television exposure was on the “Queen Latifah” talk show in New York.
Currently, Jamila Jay’s Fashions has a collection of African inspires garments using Ankara fabrics. As a division of Jamila Jay’s Fashions, Courbee’ Intimate Apparel has exploded with a collection of Plus Size Bras that will have consumers saying “Victoria’s Secret” who!
“The Plus Size market has been ignore by the Fashion Industry. We are changing the game with sexy, classic, and affordable garments.”
In 2016, PlusSizeCasting.com website was create to unite plus size talent with producers, directors, magazine editors, fashion show coordinators, and casting directors with plus size talent. Casting directors can submit their casting needs on the website. Therefore, it is an opportunity for plus size talent and casting officials who are seeking plus size talent to meet and work together. Talent can register and submit for acting, modeling, dancing, and singing opportunities. While Choyce Plus Size Model Management is a talent agency working hands on with plus talent and casting officials, it is geared towards plus size talent and Choyce Plus Size Model Management is an agency geared towards sizes 8 to 28.
Ms. Choyce is a model/actress, journalist, stylist, and fashion designer. As a journalist, she has published over 300 articles from plus size fashions, domestic violence, to celebrity interviews worldwide including Canada, Africa, and the Caribbean. In 2017, Choyce has been appointed as Editor-In-Chief, as Courbee’ Revolucion’ Magazine (means curvy revolution in Italian) which showcases and celebrates women with curvy bodies from all over the world. In addition, she is writing the “Plus Size Model Survive Guide.”
The plus size market is growing immensely. In 2016, the plus-size market grew 6% with sales reaching $21.4 billion. The average woman in America is a size 14 (plus sizes are typically between sizes 14 and 34). However, in the fashion industry plus size starts at a size 8 and up, yet retailers barely cater to this crucial demographic. If roughly 60 percent of the population is considered overweight, for argument's sake, let's say half of that number is women. So, of the estimated 310 million people in the United States, we can extrapolate that roughly 93 million are female shoppers in the double-digit size range.
Go to ChoyceTV.com for more information!