Following the major success of the Big Beautiful Women project last year, local photographer Chezlyn
Julius is recruiting 100 women for the second instalment of the initiative.
Called the Big Beautiful Women Project 100, the campaign will see women blooming into models.
It also challenges their comfort zones, and encourages them to flaunt their beautiful bodies in their best outfits for a mass photoshoot with a difference.
“For me, this is about building confidence and embracing your curves. It is about more than just being a supermodel for a day. This is a life-changing experience,” Julius said.
Julius said he would counsel the women and coach them to get their confidence levels up before the photoshoot.
After this, they will have a WhatsApp group that acts as a support group for everyone to open up and encourage one another.
“People share their stories and you learn that there are many different reasons people turned to food.
“Some were abused, some went through a divorce, some have just been big all their life. Being big myself, I know what it is to have to sit in the front because you take up too much space in the back. I overcame those things, and now I want to share that feeling of confidence with others.”
Julius said the idea came to him in 2016, after he was sitting with a group of friends and one of them sent a picture of an overweight woman to make everyone laugh.
“That was when I had a wake-up call - as I was laughing, something suddenly came over me and I stopped.
“In that moment God convicted me and told me you will never look down on somebody else again and never laugh at someone this way.”
After this, he said, the vision unfolded.
“Everything just fell into place so easily. I started reaching out to women, and if I would see someone beautiful around, I would approach them and ask. It is amazing how open people were, everyone loved the concept because everyone wants to be accepted.”
Julius also hosts a Big Beautiful Women pageant, which will take place later this year.
“My next major project is a theatre production on body positivity. I am working on the concept and will be discussing it with the women at the photoshoot.”
The photoshoot will take place on June 2. All participants will wear two outfits: a black dress and swimwear.
The shoot will take place at Green Point and Mouille Point. However, if it's raining, it will move to a studio.
There are currently 74 participants.
Interested parties can contact Julius on WhatsApp at 0765524778 with their name and surname, followed by #BBWP100.