Tara Laughton Says, “Be around positive like-minded people, and do things that you love and make you happy. Don’t try to change yourself for others or what is presented to you as beautiful by the media. Bask in your own difference—it’s what makes you, you.”

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I’m Tara Laughton. I love being a model with all the dressing up, makeup, and being in front of the camera.  I’m signed with Bella Model Management, Click Model Management, Okay Models Hamburg, and UK Model Management.   Some of my clients include, Cosmo, David Jones, Myer, Australian Womens Weekly Magazine, TVSN (Television Shopping Network), Bild der Frau, Maggie T, Ezibuy, Sara, and Prima Magazine.  I love summer, warm weather and sand, making bracelets, being with friends, enjoying great food, and I loooove to see a great movie.

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Please tell us where you are from, and how you got started in the modeling business. 

I’m from Sydney, Australia.  I first went to a modeling agency when I was twelve as I stopped growing at eleven and was super tall.  However, I didn’t start modelling until I was seventeen. I met someone who knew an agency owner and was happy to take me in to see them.  I started working straight away.  However, I worked for a few years but then had trouble keeping my weight down.  So, I kept involved in the industry organizing parades, dressing models, and styling.  I’d often kept trying to diet, which disheartened me. It’s frustrating in hindsight that I kept trying to change myself.  So, I had someone mention that a plus model agency had started and Chelsea was the person to call.  My first job was David Jones Catalogue.  And I haven’t looked back it’s been a great journey!

Please tell us about the Model Mentor Program.

It’s about educating young girls about the modeling industry, teaching them what is expected of them as a model on jobs, and teaching them to treat themselves as a professional within it.  If you prepare and present yourself as a professional, people love that.  And also, about getting girls to nurture themselves in a positive way, to accept themselves as they are, and believe in themselves because within the industry there can be a lot of rejection and you need to prepare yourself for that.  I also have a course for girls who may not become models, but want to know all about how to learn tricks for taking great photos, how to walk like they’re on a catwalk, and to also get them to learn about themselves in a positive way and to accept who they are as they are to be more confident in their world.  Just wanting to spread the positive body image to all young people, how to be a lady, and present yourself well. 

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Have you ever struggled with self-esteem or body image issues in the past? If so, how did you reach the point of accepting and loving your body as it is?  

I have struggled with my weight. It was really hard when I couldn’t keep my weight down for so called ”straight sized” modelling, and I always got told you need to lose weight you’ll never be able to model unless you’re smaller.  So it’s a real blessing to be able to model for plus size, be accepted to do so, and to show women a different shape and size that they might identify with and just see the energy of the photo.  I hope they see my happiness, find their happiness and love, and accept who they are as themselves!  It’s taken me a while to accept myself at different weights and to just be happy no matter what!  I think the trick is kindness to oneself.  Do what you love–it will make you glow with confidence and positivity.  It’s always an evolving process of accepting and loving yourself the same with life always evolving, changing, and learning more.

What advice would you give to young women who are struggling with self-esteem, confidence, or body image? 

Talk to other supportive women and friends or seek professional help!  Always remember you are beautiful just as you are!!! Be around positive like-minded people, and do things that you love and make you happy.  Don’t try to change yourself for others or what is presented to you as beautiful by the media. Bask in your own difference—it’s what makes you, you.

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Out of all the places your modeling has taken you – where is the most memorable?  

I love that I’ve been able to travel overseas. I get such an excited giddy feeling when about to get on an overseas flight traveling to New York, Hamburg, & London and to work there has been such a gift.

Who do you consider a role model or hero?  Why? 

All women. We all have a story, and I love hearing and asking questions about people’s lives.  But as far as women I’ve seen in images, I love Sophia Loren, Marilyn Monroe, Marie Cotillard, and Crystall Renn.

Where do you like to shop for clothes and who are your favorite designers? 

I like girly feminine skirts and dresses–nothing too short on me!  So I like to shop for vintage dresses from the 50′s, Country Road, and I like some Ralph Lauren dresses. I basically see what I like, and I’m not too fussy on the designers.  But I also love some jeans, little flats with a white singlet, add bright accessories, a great handbag, and sunglasses.

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Do you have a favorite workout routine?  

I love the x-trainer at the gym, but I really like to do some exercise every day. It’s good for your mind and helps you sleep well.  So, I do cardio and weights most days of the week.  And if I get sick of the gym, it’s always great to get outside and walk or swim at the beach more especially in Summer.

Who do you consider a role model or hero?  Why? 

All women. We all have a story, and I love hearing and asking questions about people’s lives.  But as far as women I’ve seen in images, I love Sophia Loren, Marilyn Monroe, Marie Cotillard, and Crystall Renn.

What is your go-to outfit?

Either a great dress and heels or white singlet and jeans!

What are your beauty must haves? 

Moisturise, moisture–mist some paw paw ointment on my lips, and I love those makeup wipes so quick and easy when you’re in a hurry!

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Lipstick or Lipgloss?

Gloss, but I love red lipstick!  I have a Chanel compact that has red in four textures, gloss, matte, metallic, and moisturizing lipstick!

What beauty invention has made the greatest impact on your life?

Toe nail polish–the lovely colours so uplifting for my mind on my toes. I love Klorane dry shampoo–extends the life of a great blow dry and texturizes the hair when trying to make lush beach wavy hair!

What do you wish you would have known at age 13? 

The confidence I have now to speak up for myself and that everything would be ok.  I worried a lot.

What is your signature scent?

Philosykos by Diyptique and Bronze Goddess by Estee Lauder.

What would your perfect day be like?

I love to go to the gym early to wake myself up. A nice omelette for breakfast.  Get myself ready. I love that getting ready part–doing your hair and makeup, and you just know what you want to wear and you feel good. Then go out with girlfriends for lunch and hear what they’re up too. Perhaps some time at the beach.  I really love a good movie too.

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What is your favorite meal? 

Hmm. That’s hard. It could be a lush steak and salad or another day I feel like ice cream… I love macaroons and pear jelly belly beans! I have a sweet tooth.  But, I like the way more whole food make me feel and how good it is for you.

What is a fun fact about you? 

I think I’m pretty good and being silly in a fun way–just not taking myself to seriously, but maybe that’s not so much a fun fact!  Just check out this… my favourite song  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxzN5hB0Kqk

What is one of your favorite childhood memories?

All the horse riding I did. I just love horses. They are so beautiful.

For those of us who haven’t traveled to Australia, please tell us a little about your homeland.

I guess it’s a pretty relaxed way of life. Everyone loves the beaches, coastal life of surf and sand, and then when you head into the centre of Australia—its vast dry red dirt and the magnificent Uluru and Northern Territory has such amazing wildlife. I spent some time camping there.  There’s a lot to experience here. Seeing Sydney Harbour is so amazing when you come home from overseas.  But I so want to travel back overseas to Europe and America. It’s always amazing seeing what you don’t have at home and experiencing new cultures and ways of life… all the diversity.

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What makes you uniquely beautiful?

I love my smile and eyes. They are what I most notice in other people to see how they’re feeling.  I’ve also been told that my laugh is pretty funny and memorable!
“I don’t diet. I don’t believe in it.”

Are there any special projects that you are involved with that you would like us to tell the readers about? 

I’m about to be the face of a fabulous product and that’s all I can say about that!  I’ve also been making some gorgeous bracelets made of semi-precious materials, silver, and glass with cute charms and medals, which I love making. I’ve included kids’ bracelets and hair clips. I’ve been selling them to local markets and people in New York and London purchased some. I’ve called it Ladybird T you can find it on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Ladybird-T/153538161328739.

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