Anita: Hello!
Hamim: Firstly I'd like to say thank You for interviewing me, it is a pleasure to be interviewed by Models of Diversity
Anita: Where do you come from?
Hamim: I am originally from East London, Whitechapel - Borough of Tower Hamlets now living in the Borough of Barking & Dagenham.
Anita: Have you always been plus size
Hamim: I have always been plus-size, when I was in my early teens I use to not like the fact that I was a plus-size, I have tried several diets and also went to the extent of being a part of a reality TV show to live in the jungle of bourneo for a month 'Can fat teens hunt' aired in 2008.
Anita: How long have you been modelling?
Hamim: I have been a Bollywood Dancer for a year now. That is how I started attending a lot of Photo-shoots. I have just recently got into Modelling. Celebrity Make-up Artist Saamia Khan and Rehana Choudhury have helped me by using me as a model in various shoots/shows.
Anita: Who have you worked with? Did you find them ok to work with?
Hamim: I have worked with Henna Hearts and Julien Trivedi. A few months back I got invited to the London Fashion Models Networking. I met this really nice designer called Eva Georgiou, Designer/Partner at Arthur & Betty; she complimented me on my jacket... I told her I designed it myself; she liked the fact that I used my creativeness and made my own jacket. I was saying how there is nothing for Plus-Size Men out there... I asked her why you don't make clothes for plus-size men. She said she never really thought of it and didn't think there was a high demand... until the example (me) was standing next to her, She mentioned how she is going to get out a Plus-Size Women's range... by the end of the conversation she told me, that I inspired her to branch out to do a plus size range for men in future.
Julian Trivedi is another designer; I met in one of the fashion events I performed in, when I met him, Julian and his wife Jessica, were a wonderful couple to approach. I stated that there is nothing for Plus-Size Male and there are a lot of Plus-Size people out there that want to look good and glamorous.
That night he came up to me and said he is having his Launch on the 13th of March, and he would love for me to perform at his launch and also may have a chance to catwalk, one of his designs. He also recently asked me to be the face of his Plus-Size Men's range which will be launching soon. I was well chuffed, as he is one of my favourite designers,. Julien Trivedi makes the best clothing ever! I have been photographed by excellent photographers in the industry, to name some... Choosa Farrukh, Pawel Szewczyk, Yassir Qayyum, Junior Roberts, Roger D'Oliver Mapp and Nick Reynolds.
Anita: What's been you best work?
Hamim: My best modelling work has to be modelling for Henna Hearts, the founder of Henna Hearts 'Roze' gave me the opportunity to walk down the catwalk for the very first time at a Magazine Launch, I also was a part of one of her shoots including snakes, reptiles and taranchilers. It was awesome; It is always pleasure to work with Henna Hearts.
Anita: Have you faced any discrimination in the industry, what's it like being a plus size male model?
Hamim: I have had times when I went to castings and everyone will be looking at me like I came out of space... the casting director once said to me 'Who the hell are you?' asked for my name, she said why don't you look that big on your pictures' I started smiling cause I found it funny ' I Replied 'I don't know... well it's not edited or airbrushed...' she gave me the biggest fattest dirty look, I walked out saying; I'll be a minute... All I could hear is them laughing their heads off... I ignore stuff like that, I grew up to be a strong person and believe in myself, I wasn't having a few casting directors put me down and be a barrier to what I want to do. I am a Plus-Size and proud of whom I am, I am not trying to promote people being unhealthy, I eat healthy and exercise regularly, and I am just naturally a big guy. I think it is important that there should be models of all shapes and sizes mainstream in the fashion world. I hear stories of young boys/girls starving themselves and having health problems only to look like a 0-size model.
Anita: It is quite sad to hear how you were treated and I totally agree with you about different shapes and size models. You have just won a competition can you tell us a bit about it?
Hamim: I entered this competition on a group called Curvaceous plus Size on Facebook
The prize was to win a photo-shoot, I had the shoot and had a great experience.
Anita: How hard is it to get clothes?
Hamim: VERY HARD! I have not gone clothes shopping for ages as there is nothing I can find my size... the stuff that is my size it's horrible... I am trying to loose some weight... Even If I do I will remain a plus-size.
Anita: Do you think there needs to be more representation for plus size male models
Hamim: There is a space for Plus-Size Men/Women, whether it's for a Photo-shoot or for a Music Video... I am sure there are designers/ creative directors that need Plus-Size people. I get encouraging messages/emails from others, sending me supportive messages.
Anita: Do you have any advice for plus size males?
Hamim: Firstly be confident on your appearance, take pride in yourself on who you are, do not think about social statuses, be who you want to be and put your own stamp on yourself. It does not matter if you are rich or poor. Be an individual and not copy others, this will help you bring out your inner spark. Always be positive, believe in yourself and never let others put you down or think negative about yourself. Anything is possible; you just put your heart and soul in it.
Anita: What do you think about M.O.D ?
Hamim: I think that it's great that there is an organisation out there that believes that there should be all sorts' of people in different shapes and sizes in the Industry, M.O.D. are actually doing something about it for example going out to the streets and campaigning.
Once again thank You for interviewing me Anita.
Anita: Thank you
