Meet Lwana, domestic violence survivor, mother of two & wanna be ‘curvy Bond girl’
EMBRACE YOUR CURVES LADIES. EMBRACE YOUR DIVERSITY AND BEAUTY.
“Embrace your beauty. Embrace your body.”
So here I am, on behalf of OceanRoad Swimwear – I am a real woman (not a professional model), 47 years of age, plus-size mother to two young boys. I have worked in Accounts for 25 years for many different organisations. Whilst I am not a professional model, I have had previous modelling experience from the age of 2, for Mother Care in London and I continue to do photo shoots as a hobby to boost my self-esteem and confidence.
“Find the strength to see your beauty, worthiness and realise that there is only one unique YOU in life.”
My life’s biggest challenge has been a long-term survivor of domestic violence in my late 20’s. Apart from flashbacks of physical trauma, my self-esteem and confidence were smashed. However, I did find courage to open my heart to someone else, fall in love and marry again. It was a slow process rebuilding from past trauma and my greatest accomplishment was deciding to do some photo shoots to boost my confidence and self-esteem. To any survivors of domestic violence, find the strength to see your beauty, worthiness and realise that there is only one unique YOU in life. You are fierce and brave. Embrace that.
“I know my rolls are here to stay! So, to all you curvy ladies out there, you are not alone. Hold your head high! You got this!”
My body has also suffered from severe endometriosis and I am blessed to have even fallen pregnant. I have fluid retention because of pre-eclampsia which resulted in two premature births, with the second being the most traumatic after nearly losing my life. With my 29 week gestation son being resuscitated at birth, I am blessed he is a happy, cheeky 9-year-old and that his learning disability makes him unique. With the challenges of raising a special needs child, gone are the days of having ‘me’ time going to the hairdresser or getting a facial. After having two children and post medical issues, my body image has changed from a size 12 to a plus size. With all the lumps and bumps evident especially after two caesareans, I know my rolls are here to stay! So, to all you curvy ladies out there reading this, you are not alone. Hold your head high! You got this! Go and pamper yourself with Dove products and buy that Ocean Road swimsuit that makes you feel gorgeous and look a million dollars!
“Excuse me James Bond movie director, are you looking for a curvy Bond girl?”
My favourite piece in this collection is the Black swimsuit dress that covers my thighs. It looks so cute and classy. I also loved the Blue rashie in this collection. It is super comfortable and it was a lovely blue colour. I felt so calm when I saw the colour. The rashie also reminded me of a Bond girl coming out of the water lol “Excuse me James Bond movie director, are you looking for a curvy Bond girl?” After the photo shoot, a woman came up to me asking where she could purchase the outfit which boosted my confidence even more making me realise I do need to embrace my curves and not be ashamed.
“There is nothing more beautiful and powerful than a smile that has struggled through tears from pain and suffering. I smile from the strength to rise above my battles. It’s not what I have been through that defines who I am. Its how I get through it that makes me the person I am today.” Quote: Demi Lovato
To all the curvy women out there, yes you! Regardless of your shape and size, I want you to know that you are beautiful, both inside and out. Embrace your beauty. Embrace your body. If you are battling low self-esteem and confidence, I want you to take a look at ‘The Dove Real Beauty Pledge’ campaign which features real women and not models. https://www.dove.com/au/stories/about-dove/dove-real-beauty-pledge.html