While the female fashion market has seen the rise of the plus-size model, this man says there’s plenty of space for heavyweight male models too.
Alexander MacDonald, 29, from Kuils River weighs 110kg and has become a firm favourite on local fashion ramps.
Alex says he only picked up the extra rolletjies four years ago and while it first had a negative impact on him, the moment he accepted “the new him”, his modelling career started to flourish.
Originally from Vredendal but living in the Cape for the past four years, Alex is embracing his curves and has made it his mission to be at the vanguard of plus-size male models in the modelling industry of Cape Town.
“The fluctuation of weight over the years has always been a number one obsession of mine. I was a fit and confident amateur dance choreographer for five years, on the verge of starting my own small dance studio in my hometown.
“Life was great, active and fulfilling. Every day I exercised and trained aspiring dancers.”
But then he moved to Cape Town, where he gained 23kg over the last four years.
“Moving to Cape Town in 2015 with no daily dance and exercise schedule has caused me to feel aimless and inefficient. I started gaining weight to the point where I did not even realise how heavy I have gotten.
PURSUE: Alex accepted his current look. Picture: Supplied
“With the undetected weight gain came low self-esteem and insecurities. It shocked me when I witnessed how my life has changed when I started to look different.
“People look at and treat you differently, you lose friends, opportunities fade away and the life you once dreamt of, alters drastically.”
Alex says he accepted his current look and decided to pursue his dream job of modelling and is building up his portfolio.
“I have learnt to say yes to every opportunity presented to me. This journey has brought me straight to the industry I have been dreaming of being in for so long.”
Alex will be modelling for fashion designers in plus-size clothes for men at the Winter Wonderland Fashion Show, on 14 September at the Kenilworth Racecourse as well as the Winter in Summer Fashion Show, on 28 September at Inside On The Greens in Wynberg.