Rita Carreira is a Brazilian model who became known as the first plus size and black woman to grace the cover of Vogue Brasil.
Vogue Brasil featured on its cover for the first time in history, a plus size black model, the Brazilian Rita Carreira. 27 years old from São Paulo, she is a true symbol of empowerment. Furthermore, she has been defending body freedom and representation in the fashion world for over 10 years.
In short, the model began her career, when she decided to quit her job as a saleswoman to pursue the catwalk. In fact, at the time Rita said the following sentence:
“One day you will see me at São Paulo Fashion Week and on the cover of Vogue”.
Finally, Rita Carreira managed to make her dream come true, not only being on the cover of Vogue Brasil, but also walking the runway at São Paulo Fashion Week (SPFW). However, her story is marked by struggles, resilience, perseverance and many difficulties that she had to face throughout her career.
Like the prejudice and fatphobia that the model suffered in the fashion world. Therefore, today the model is known for breaking standards and giving visibility to plus size women.
Rita Carreira
From São Paulo, aged 27, Brazilian model Rita Carreira is the first black and plus size woman to appear on the cover of Vogue Brasil magazine. In short, her career began after she helped her sister Carol Santos, who is a fashion producer, in producing the first Plus size Fashion weekend in 2010.
On that occasion, Rita met Renata Poskus, director of the event. And it was she who convinced Rita that she could be a plus size model. Initially, the model was surprised because she didn’t think she was pretty enough to be a model. But the other year she decided to take a chance. So, she went to the casting for the same show and ended up passing, starting her career as a model.
However, Rita faced difficulties at the beginning, which made her career take a while to get going. In short, she had to face racism and fatphobia, in addition to not being able to get jobs. However, even though she had doubts about whether this was her place, she never gave up.
“I heard several times that my place was not in fashion, that I should be a dancer. Just because I was black and big, I couldn’t be a model? I was young and I even thought that was it. But, little by little, when I began to understand that I was different from the imposed standard, I realized that by being different I was going to make a difference”, said Rita.
On the contrary, he always did everything to show his value. With this, Rita Carreira opened doors for many women like her. In addition to breaking pre-established standards in the fashion world.
Rita Carreira: body acceptance
According to Rita Carreira, she never had any problems regarding her weight. On the other hand, the 1.80 cm tall model always thought she was too tall compared to her friends. Likewise, wearing size 43 has always been a problem finding shoes. And that bothered her a lot.
However, as people praised her height early in her career, she began to accept and even enjoy her height.
“I never needed therapy to accept myself, because at home they didn’t let me fall into the illusion that happiness was only in the norm. Being fat will never be more difficult than being black, but I make a point of continuing discussions about fatphobia. Nobody thinks about how this affects health, for example, while obese people do not have access to hospital equipment that can support their weight”, explained the model.
Furthermore, the model also states that she does not put herself in situations that impose changes on her body. Well, she loves herself the way she is and is very happy. On the other hand, a curious fact about Rita is that her model was 42/44. Therefore, she had to gain weight to become a plus size model, currently her model is 48.
Anyway, at the time she was sure that she would never have a thin body like other models, since her body structure is large. So, she chose to gain weight so she could become a plus size model and now she feels fulfilled with everything she has achieved.
Successful career
Initially, Rita Careira had to face many obstacles to get jobs and make her career take off. Currently, with changes in concepts, freedom of the body is a subject that is increasingly discussed. As a result, the fashion industry is opening up to different standards.
Thus, in 2017, Rita debuted on the catwalks of São Paulo Fashion Week by LAB Fantasma. And her success was so great that in 2020, for the first time in history, Vogue Brasil magazine featured the plus size model on its cover. And on the catwalks, the plus size model, managed by FORD Models, walked for Cavalera, Handred and Isasc Silva.
Furthermore, in addition to being a model, the São Paulo native is a digital influencer and defends the Corpo Livre discourse, in addition to taking a stance on racial issues on her Instagram. Anyway, thanks to her strong positioning, several brands began to hire the model as an influencer.
“I consider myself a model-influencer for talking to me and demanding an appropriate stance from brands. Our body ends up being a political act. Depending on the color of your skin, you have different experiences and demands. I use my image to talk about more than just fashion and beauty”, explains the model.
Finally, the model also runs a workshop alongside her sister Carol Santos, called Stand Out, whose objective is to professionalize models and influencers for the plus size market. Because, according to Rita, the segment is growing, however, there is a lack of training.
Biggest dream
Finally, plus size model and influencer, Rita Carreira says that her biggest dream is to be known nationally and internationally. However, not just as a plus size model, but as someone who makes a difference.
“I want to break standards by showing the world that models can be of different sizes. I want to remove from people’s imagination the standard that was installed about being a model. I know you imagine a woman completely different from me, but here I am: a fat, black and successful model. And I’m very proud of my story”, said the plus size model.
So, if you liked this article, read also: Plus size models: who are the most famous and what is the market like?
