She is only 22 years old, but the model Alicia Gutiérrez (1999, Palma de Mallorca) has things very clear. The curvy model tag doesn't bother her but rather empowers her. Because sometimes, as she says, labels are necessary to change the world.

She began her journey in front of the flashes with the advertising campaign for Women's Secret #MuyNosotras, which was committed to real bodies and diversity. Now, a few years later, she heads to New York where she has just been signed by one of the leading modeling agencies in the Big Apple.

She has more than 36.8 thousand followers on Instagram and although that number is increasing and the job offers do not stop coming, she does not let success cloud her goal: to follow in the wake of other Spanish models like Lorena Durán, which is already an international benchmark. Gutiérrez speaks openly about the beautiful and the dark that characterizes the "superficial and rigid" fashion industry.

What is it like to be a curvy model? Are you comfortable with this "label"?

I think that labels are necessary to give visibility to things that are a reality and that have been invisible for a long time. A few years ago, seeing curvy or plus-size women occupying covers, leading campaigns or walking the catwalks was unthinkable. I feel more comfortable than ever with my body and with who I am, and if labeling myself as curvy is going to keep the change happening and that there is more and more diversity of bodies big and small, thanks to labels like these, go ahead. .

Was modeling your dream since you were little?

I've always wanted to be a model, so I don't think it just happened by chance. My height was always my handicap. I'm 1.64 cm tall and that's still not accepted in most modeling agencies to start working.

Having the opportunity to start something big, with 7,000 people casting and being chosen out of so many people, gave me enough confidence to say, "Okay, I'm going to take over the world and I'm only just getting started." ." When you don't fit into some patterns you have to work triple.

What is the best and worst thing in this world?

The best thing is to travel and meet new people every day and not fall into the routine. In my case, being in this world has increased my confidence in myself and has made me see my body from a totally different and healthy perspective. Now I only see beauty and I don't feel ashamed for what I see or what others can see of me. If I'm working with someone it's because they like me, why should I feel insecure? The confidence you show to others is 99% of the work. If you think you are the cane, then you are the cane. You create your own reality.

On the other hand, the worst thing is to be constantly moving from one place to another and not being able to make long-term plans. When they confirm a job, it is always usually from one day to the next. And without a doubt, something that most models agree with is loneliness.

Have you encountered any obstacles due to having certain measures at the beginning of your career?

From the beginning until today. Despite all the obstacles, I firmly believe in who I am. If I weren't so clear about it, with all the "no's" I've received over these three years, especially because of my height, I would surely have given up. It's always been like, "You're gorgeous, we love your vibe, but you're too short for us."

Thanks to models like Ashley Graham or Lorena Durán, stigmas are being broken in the world of fashion. Do you think it is a real change or is it sometimes used as a way to launder the image of a company or brand?

Thanks to role models like them, I am doing what I do, and I have felt inspired by seeing such groundbreaking women grow and succeed and who go beyond the "norm". I believe that each time the change is being more real. Of course, there are brands that take advantage of it to attract attention or increase sales, simply because now it is what sells and what people have been craving for a long time. Many times they campaign with plus-size models and then you go to their website and they only have sizes S to L. So you still can't buy and don't see yourself represented. There is everything, but I think there is more awareness.

When do you think there will be real diversity in the world of fashion? What does it take to get there?

With social networks, changes occur much faster than years ago. Now all diversity is little, and it can be seen through platforms such as Instagram, TikTok... There is still a long way to go, but the pressure from all kinds of people of different ethnicities, sizes, groups... wanting to be represented will speed up the process. It is in our hands to continue betting on diversity and a fairer world, where everyone can feel that they matter and that they have a place. Only then will we evolve as a society and of course, also in the world of fashion.

Feminism is covering more and more sectors, do you think there is a real change in fashion?

Fashion has marked a before and after in the history of feminism and this is a fact . From when the swimsuit was used to when women could start wearing a two-piece bikini, for example. Or fashion houses that were only run by men, and now more women are leading management positions and starting new projects in the industry, that is also important.

The fight for equality that feminism preaches is also reflected in the way we dress, which for me is also a reflection of society. As we advance, fashion will advance with us. It's always about looking ahead and dressing how you want. Fashion is a type of expression and being. The freedom it gives you can be interpreted however you want.

Do you think there will be a time when you or other models who are out of the standard sizes will be talked about without having to emphasize it?

I hope so. And I wish it had never been necessary to raise my voice, because I didn't fit the established beauty standards.

What brands would you like to model or walk for?

I have this very clear. I like elegant, colorful, what makes me feel sexy, extravagant, but also classic and conventional. But, my preferences are: Versace, Savage X Fenty, Jacquemus, Moschino, Mugler, Chanel, Fendi, Balenciaga, Rui Zhou and Alexander McQueen.

What would you say to those who don't think you deserve to be a model because you don't have the “imposed height”?

Attitude for me is what determines whether or not you're worth something. And in this case, I have all the attitude in the world and that is what has never stopped me. It has reached a point where I don't even remember that what often prevents me from working is the fact that I am not 1.75 cm tall. But, I always think that when they don't select me because of my height, it's because they're afraid of success.

And to those people who want to try to be models, but do not comply with the strict measures of the industry?

Many people talk to me through Instagram to ask me about my beginnings, if I can give them Some advice... The most important thing is to start, and not stop. I never had anyone to tell me which way to go, I just knew that I was not going to stop until the "no" became a "yes", and that's how it has been until now. The biggest piece of advice I can give is to never give up trying sites that have rejected you before. Your style is constantly changing, evolving and transforming into something better. But nothing comes alone, you have to insist. Relaxing and taking everything for granted is not an option, and thinking that you are not worth it, and locking yourself in that idea, either.

If no one tries to be part of the change and show everyone else wrong, then change will never happen. If there weren't really big plus size models like Ashley Graham, for example, there wouldn't be any plus size models represented, and I wouldn't even be saying this. Representation matters, and being a driver of change that still doesn't have its place in the industry like short models, too.

Now there are two movements on social networks that create controversy: one in favor of plus size and that this also implies being a healthy person, and those who affirm that a plus size person does not follow a healthy lifestyle. What do you think about this?

People really don't care about your health. It just bothers them that you're fat and that's it. And there is a lot of 'fatphobia' behind it. People with a thin build are never questioned about their health, because they look physically thin. But, these people do not necessarily take care of themselves, play sports and eat well. You just don't get fat and that's it, but it doesn't mean you're healthier than a person who is fat.

There are many stories behind each person and each body, and each one lives their own circumstances and I don't think it is a subject to be taken lightly. There are more people than you think with serious eating disorders and nobody cares about it. Both thin people and fat people have to be able to feel free to be who they are, and to show themselves as they want without questioning their health. It seems that if your body is too thin or fat, you no longer have the right to show it or just be happy with it through networks. There are many unhappy people who can't bear that I, for example, be happy with the body I have.

Do you think there are still abuses of power in the world of fashion?

As unfortunately happens in many other sectors, yes. People who have power take advantage as much as not to pay, as well as to abuse their clients, models, workers... Hundreds of cases are known about it. It is best to talk and tell what happens as far as possible. In this way, it is when the change happens and those who abuse their power stop doing so.

What projects are you immersed in right now?

I have been non-stop since March of this year 2021. And right now I feel like I've just started in this world, working with cool people, on personal projects that make me very excited and working hard. In April I signed with Francina Models, one of the agencies I was looking forward to working with when I landed in Madrid. I also signed with Rothman Models in Munich, thus becoming the smallest model in their catalogue. And the great news, that they hardly let me sleep at night because of the excitement, is that if everything goes well, next September I will move to New York. I got representation at a very top agency in the city, One Management. Now they are with the visa paperwork so I can go there to work. I am wishing it.

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