Denise Mercedes
Denise Mercedes | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 23, 1991 (age 33) Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Model, clothing designer, influencer |
| Years active | 2005–present |
| Known for | Becauseitsmybody campaign |
| Modeling information | |
| Height | 5 ft 4 in (163 cm) |
| Agency | MSA Models NYC[1] |
| Website | www |
Denise Mercedes (born October 23, 1991) is a Dominican-American plus-size fashion model and clothing designer from New Jersey. She has been featured on BuzzFeed,[2] Refinery29,[3] and FabUplus Magazine.[4] Mercedes is known for her clothing line with Rebdolls.[5] She is the founder of the #becauseitsmybody campaign, a collaborative photography campaign that encourages body positivity.[6]
A native of Jersey City, New Jersey, she is of Dominican descent.[7]
Career
Denise Mercedes began modeling when she was 13 years old. She started her career by working as a photography studio receptionist. Mercedes's boss allowed her to model in photoshoots as a hobby, which is where she became accustomed to posing in front of a camera.[8]
When Mercedes was 16 years old, she started submitting her photographs to agencies. Due to modeling agency height standards, it was difficult for Mercedes to receive representation at the time. Despite this, she continued to participate in modeling shoots. In 2012, Mercedes began her fashion blog for plus size women. That is when she began collaborating with different plus size boutiques.[9]
In 2017, Mercedes began a body positivity campaign called #becauseitsmybody, a collaborative photography movement.[10] As a body positivity activist, Mercedes created the campaign to celebrate all body types. The campaign encourages people to submit photographs of themselves with the hashtag "#becauseitsmybody."
Currently, Mercedes continues to model. She has collaborated with clients such as Forever 21,[11] Target, JCPenney, and Rue21. She has also worked with smaller body positive online shops such as Feminine Funk and Curvy Girl Fever.[12] She runs a clothing line with Rebdolls.[13][14]
References
- ^ "Denise Mercedes".
- ^ Jackson, Jame. "These 19 Instagramers Deserve A Freakin' Fashion Award From The CFDA". BuzzFeed.
- ^ Hargrove, Channing. "#BecauseItsMyBody Wants To Open The Body Positivity Movement To Everyone". www.refinery29.com.
- ^ Magazine, FabUplus (March 13, 2019). "Breaking Barriers with Denise Mercedes".
- ^ "Denise Mercedes". REBDOLLS.
- ^ Whelan, Nora. "People Are Using This Hashtag To Celebrate Body Diversity". BuzzFeed.
- ^ Blanco, Evie. "Her Source Beauty Of The Week | Plus Size Model Denise Mercedes [Interview]", TheSource.com, October 28, 2015. Accessed November 2, 2019. "Denise M: Well I was born and raised in Jersey City, New Jersey and I am 100% Dominican."
- ^ "Building Her Legacy: Meet Denise Mercedes".
- ^ "Her Source Beauty of The Week | Plus Size Model Denise Mercedes [Interview] | The Source". October 28, 2015.
- ^ "iPage". www.ajokebrownmag.com.
- ^ https://bfa.com/photos/search?people=denise-mercedes
- ^ "Meet Denise Mercedes, The Dominican Body Positive Model Inspiring Us". Fierce. October 18, 2017.
- ^ TCF, Team (September 16, 2019). "Your First Look at The Denise Mercedes for Rebdolls Fall Collection!".
- ^ "Shop the Denise Mercedes X Rebdolls Swim Collection, Now!". May 14, 2018.