Namita Nayyar:
You beautified the pages of Forbes, Vanity Fair, Elle, Maxim and GQ and represented Italy as a special guest at the Los Angeles Grammy Awards. Which moment in your career seemed most surreal and how did those experiences shape your perspective on global fashion?
Valentina Bìssoli:
Surely the most exciting experience was being invited as a guest to represent Italy at the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles in 2019. It was a surreal experience to parade with the most important stars of global music at the side event Musicares and Clive Davis. My life has never been the same after this event. I have to thank the Recording Academy and President Neil Portnow for giving me this honor.
Namita Nayyar:
Your career began at only 17 years old through a “one-night model” contest organized by Triumph. Let’s go back to that moment: what did that young woman from Verona dream of, and how did you navigate the transition from a local competition to walking for Moncler and acting in campaigns for Guess and Yamamay?
Valentina Bìssoli:
I never thought at only 17 years old to be selected for that competition. I was a high school student with a lot of insecurities and seeing the selection confirmation email at the audition was a huge surprise for me. I never thought I’d do big campaigns like Yamamay’s. It was a dream, but I made it happen in front of a very tight global selection. I was very good at this.
Namita Nayyar:
You described being a plus-size model (size 40-42) as initially challenging, hearing comments like “you have too much torso” or “look at the hips” at castings. How did you turn what the industry once saw as limitations into your greatest strengths and what changed in your mindset that allowed your career to thrive?
Valentina Bìssoli:
The determination and the fact that I have always been my first big fan. I’m not talking about narcissism, I’m saying that I’ve always liked myself with my strengths and weaknesses. It’s the turning point to please others too. If you don’t love yourself deeply, who else can do it? Why would others invest in you if you’re not the first to do it?
Namita Nayyar:
You were chosen by Yamamay for their #myconfidentbeauty campaign with absolutely no photo retouching, a rare commitment to fashion advertising. What did that campaign mean to you personally and how did you feel about representing “real women” on such a visible platform?
Valentina Bìssoli:
The first campaign was a odd to natural beauty and total innovation for the “fashion” environment but it was the second “Sexy Innovation” advertising campaign taken by Giovanni Gastel to make me make a qualitative leap as a model. From semi-unknown to the face of an important advertising campaign. There no one could reiterate to me that I was a prominent model. Even without photo retouching so even more incisive.
Namita Nayyar:
You said that the secret of your physique is a healthy diet and a lot of exercise. You can guide us through a typical fitness week: what is your workout routine like and how has it evolved over the course of your career?
Valentina Bìssoli:
Initially I preferred cardio training, but then, after a few years, I really got results with bodybuilding training, so with weights. I currently train three times a week with weights and do very mixed workouts, both for the upper part of the body and for the lower part, buttocks and legs. I must say that I currently have the most beautiful physique I have ever had, so I advise all girls to approach the world of weights anyway, because it is a much more fun and stimulating workout, and that brings many more results.
Namita Nayyar:
You have become a supporter of body acceptance and self-love. How do you maintain the balance between the discipline of fitness and the embrace of natural curves, especially in a sector that has historically favored a narrower ideal?
Valentina Bìssoli:
Let’s say it’s hard to keep both. Fortunately, I have a genetic that allows me to, so, even if I train constantly and eat healthy, I still maintain the natural forms, in fact, I emphasize them. Basically mine is a genetic set up like this, so I do nothing but improve what I have already received from my DNA.
Disclaimer
The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
