Living In Fearless Style with Justice Tierney
Justice Tierney
Photo credit: @JusticeTierney/Instagram
In early July, I started to follow the beautiful Justice Tierney on Twitter. I was captivated by her amber hair, beauty and confidence spewing out of her most recent self-portrait. As I followed her, I noticed how much she spoke to being confident and accepting oneself. This month, I’m thrilled to share this one-on-one interview with the fearless fashionista and Fatshionable style icon. Learn everything from what inspires her personal style to her personal values.
What inspires your style?
Wow, this is a tough question for me because I feel as if my style is so fluid. It can change with my mood, my surroundings, the level of femininity I’m feeling that day but if I had to pick a few words to describe my personal style influences they’d be fearlessness, grace, sometimes sophistication and other times comfortability. One thing I’ve done consistently since graduating high school in 2015 was wear whatever the heck I want. I’m forever in something low cut, cropped or short-waist, form fitting or short. My mom always asks, “You sure you [want to] go out in that? You don’t [want] change?” I’d just laugh and say, “I sure am and no, I do not” and drive off!
This month Shapely is featuring brands and products that we consider to be Fatty Friendly. In your opinion why do you think Fatty Friendly brands are important?
Fatty Friendly brands are important to me because it should be the natural thing to do. It should not be the norm to exclude anybody from shopping your inventory. Not only is it [loss in revenue], but it’s discriminatory. Everyone deserves to have fashionable, stylish, true to size options that they can feel good in. It’s a no brainer to me. Brands who cater to and carry plus sizes are doing what should’ve been done all along, and that’s clothing everyone, not just a select few. With that being said, there is still work to be done as far as giving plus sized people the same exact style options as petite or straight sized people, but progress is definitely being made and it’s important to acknowledge it.
Photo credit: @JusticeTierney/Twitter
On Twitter @LouieFattons tweeted, “If you [are a] Fat Black Femme I need you to quote tweet your favorite picture of yourself right now!” You shared this lovely photo of yourself with the caption [“WOO”]. Why did you choose this photo and what does it mean to you?
Oh my goodness, so much went on while I was shooting content this day! I’d been sitting on this swimsuit for months. I just never found the right time to put it on and take pictures. But the day before, I got my hair done in this absolutely stunning shade of auburn and I knew the perfect opportunity had come. I got off work, my makeup was already done, the sun was shining so I told myself to throw it on and grab my tripod. While I was shooting, I instantly knew [my] timeline would eat ‘em up. Orange has been my favorite color for a long time now and this photo is a perfect example of why. The color, the angles and the poses showcased my body type in a way I hadn’t captured before. I couldn’t even sit on them for a night, I picked my [favorites] immediately and posted them. This monochromatic moment was one for the books in my opinion, so that’s why I felt like this was the perfect response to quote and retweet Cheyenne.
“The most important thing I want anyone, but more specifically femmes who look like me, to take from my work is self-love. I have worked tremendously for years to get to where I am [when it comes to] confidence …”
What can people learn from plus size models, like yourself?
The most important thing I want anyone, but more specifically femmes who look like me, to take from my work is self-love. I have worked tremendously for years to get to where I am [when it comes to] confidence because plus size modeling was not the phenomenon it is today when I was growing up. The only time I ever saw plus models was in specialty stores like Lane Bryant and Avenue. Even though the fashion industry has a long way to go as far as inclusivity goes. I see that more plus size models have been given the opportunity to not only occupy and simply exist in these. [Which] will inspire the next generation of fat people to love themselves straight out the gate.
Give us three principles that you live by that have added to your success? It can be a quote or your own personal values.
Of course, the golden rule is the first of three principles I live by. I naturally have a big heart and a loving nature. So, it comes easy to me, but “Do unto others as you want done unto you” has been something I’ve said and lived by my whole life. “Never let anyone dim your light” is a close second. It can be hard being a plus size model and influencer. Lots of people want to knock you off your game, stop your bag, or are downright jealous even though they might not know it. It’s important to keep your tunnel vision on. Let your light be one that guides you and others to happiness. Although, I struggle so much with this one: “Don’t put off for tomorrow what you can do today.” My mom says that to me at least once a week! It gets on my nerves but only because I know she’s right. [To be transparent,] I struggle with ADHD, Depression, and Anxiety so [avoiding] my To-Do list is a very common occurrence. They can keep me from doing even the smallest of tasks and make things worse when I notice I still haven’t done them. But when I finally got around to doing them, I realized it only took me fifteen minutes. Cracks me up every time! If you can relate, just remember not to be too hard on yourself to get things done. Give yourself a little grace but teaching yourself discipline here and there really goes a long way!
To learn more about Justice feel free to follow her on Instagram and Twitter.
If you would like to be featured as a Fatshionable style icon, please email Shapely at info@shapelyevents.com.
