The Glow-Up with Ricki Larmour

Ricki Larmour is a southern bred Creole woman who is happily married for the last ten years to her high school sweetheart after reconnecting 20 years later. 

Ricki’s biggest dream from the age of four was to become a dancer. She began formal dance training at five years old and continued until the age of eighteen. Although that path did not flourish in a career, it instilled the sense of power and discipline necessary to overcome the vast obstacles throughout her journey.

Recently Ricki was named the Virginia Ambassador for the 2023 Jose Pagan Photo-tour which was a complete surprise and further confirmation that hard work and selflessness does not go unseen. Jose is an amazingly inspiring photographer that has a natural ability to pull out that inner goddess and roar that shows through in all of his work.

“I look forward to working with Jose again to help others see that beautiful inner light that resides in all of us.”

Ricki started modeling in 2012 as a volunteer for a nonprofit organization that sent care packages to our deployed military without families. From there she got into doing local runway shows, and in February 2015, she was chosen as the “Face” of Virginia Full Figured Fashion Week (VF3W) after an extensive application process. A position that she still currently holds.

“VF3W producers Tonia Minor-White and April White have been instrumental in my growth not just as a model, but as an individual with a well-rounded sense of the business that is the fashion industry. They have trusted me with their vision and continue to show their faith in me by also making me a board member as well as model mentor.”

Modeling has been and continues to be both a challenge and a blessing as it has allowed Ricki to become more confident in who she is. It has taught her to be comfortable with taking up space in her skin and helping to heal past traumas and overcoming the insidiousness of emotional abuse.

A Chat with Ricki

QSM: Tell me about ten-year-old Ricki. Yep, let’s rewind the hands of time. I am always interested in people’s path that led them to who they are today.

Ricki: Wow, it’s been a long time since I’ve thought about 10-year-old me. I lived with my grandparents from birth and was very sheltered. I was painfully shy, but extremely imaginative and creative. Dance was life! I was ALWAYS practicing. If I was standing it would either be in first or fifth position, sitting at my desk at school I would be practicing tap dance with my feet while I tried to pay attention, any song I heard I would “choreograph” a dance to it in my head. When I wasn’t doing anything dance related, I used to dress up in my aunt’s old clothes she left behind and would put the longest towel I could find on my head (that was my hair) and prance up and down the hallway as if I were on a runway.

QSM: What does Ricki like to do for fun?

Ricki: I love to just chill and vibe with my soul tribe while listening to music. I’m a nature girl so I like to go glamping or sit outside under a tree with a good book or just my thoughts on a beautiful day. Karaoke is always a good time as well as bowling. I also love amusement parks! Roller coasters are my jam!

QSM: Oh wait! What is glamping?

Ricki: Glamping is glamorized camping, lol. Oversized tents, raised air mattresses, portable ac/heat designed for tents, propane cooktops and the availability of running water and facilities. The benefits of both being submerged in nature but still with modern amenities. I once explained to my father-in-law that this face does not go without ac!!! Yes, I’m boujee and proud of it!

QSM: Oh my ok boujee lol….. I love me a good ol’ love story. Tell us more about this amazing husband of yours.

Ricki: First I have to say that when I first looked into his eyes, I was mesmerized. The only thought going through my head was who is THAT? A mutual friend introduced us, and we hit it off. I didn’t realize it at the time, but he is my soul mate. He knew it though. I didn’t know what I had, and there was a lot of pressure from those around me discouraging interracial relationships. That led to me breaking up with him because I was trying to fit in. I always thought about him throughout the years and when I finally got a Facebook account, I was getting in touch with old high school friends. I was looking for him and couldn’t find him and that led me on a serious hunt that included someone trying to catfish me by pretending to be him, lol. I was finally able to track down his mom and she put me in touch with him.  After several months of phone conversations, I came up to see him and it literally was like a romance movie. We even drew a crowd at baggage claim. The love between us never faded and keeps growing and getting stronger. He is my biggest supporter and true #1 fan. He is always at every event with such enthusiasm and my personal bodyguard, my rock, my Stud Muffin, lol. I love me some him!!

QSM: Thirteen years of dance training? That’s a lot. Why didn’t you continue?

Ricki: Short answer, life. It can get in the way of dreams. But I decided to get married at 18 and thought that I would be able to attend school with a major in performing arts. My then spouse had a business that he convinced me that I should help him grow, and then I was blessed with my 3 beautiful children. In the back of my mind, I still held onto it but over the years of dealing with emotional manipulation and being made to feel selfish for doing anything for myself, I gave up on all of my dreams. It still hurts my heart today, but one thing I’ve learned is that I had to go through that to become who I am now. A stronger, more determined and powerful version of myself. I’m healing and growing and still get to showcase my moves from time to time.

QSM: You got into modeling as a volunteer. Kudos to you. Have you ever considered modeling as a career before then?

Ricki: Oh yes! I would daydream about being the next Naomi or Iman however I felt that was farfetched given my height and build. I would read the stories on how they were discovered and fantasize about being approached by a scout in the mall or at an amusement park. Cheesy, I know.

QSM: Tell us about your very first professional modeling opportunity. And what are some of the brands that you have had the opportunity to work with so far?

Ricki: My first professional modeling opportunity was with Virginia Full Figured Fashion Week as their representative. I was so nervous. I had never been on a professional set like that before with multiple photographers, hair stylists, makeup artists and fashion stylists. I almost hyperventilated right after it was all done, SMH.

I’ve had the opportunity to work with some great designers and boutiques such as Madame Ravish, Shay’s Shoe Haven, Honeysuckle Atelier, Suga Heel Boutique, Ava J’s, Ashley Stewart and Njinu Collectibles.

QSM: What were some of the biggest lessons that you have learned along the way that has impacted the way that you work today?

Ricki: Professionalism goes a long way. You never know who is watching and listening. Be courteous and thoughtful of other’s time and investment. Don’t sell yourself short and know your worth. Research the artist/brand/designer that you will be working with to get an overall feel of what they are looking for.  Know your body!! Practice everything in front of the mirror!!! If possible, take video or photos and study yourself and your movements. In reference to posing, it may feel awkward, but it looks amazing on film, if it doesn’t hurt, you’re not doing it right.

QSM: How do you measure success?

Ricki: I feel that success happens when doing what you love and being fulfilled with the outcome whatever it may be. Attaining goals and reaching milestones is great but if it doesn’t make you happy or satisfied, are you really successful?

QSM: Who are some of the other plus size models (past and present) that have inspired you and why? You can only name three. Yes, I said three. lol

Ricki: Tess Holliday is amazing to me because she is confident in being transparent and vulnerable about her struggles with body image. She’s a whole vibe! I admire Precious Lee for using her fame to fight for diversity of race and size across all mediums and Felicity Hayward for her her fierceness pushing for more high fashion options for plus women. She also helped me embrace my “tiger stripes” and love my body for what it is has allowed me to do.

QSM: Who would you say has been THE most instrumental in your growth? Personal and professionally?

Ricki: I’d have to say the most instrumental person for my personal growth has been Dr. Ramani Durvasula. Although I’ve not personally met her, I have taken a few workshops and watched her YouTube videos. She has helped me identify what exactly I was dealing with as a survivor of emotional abuse. She breaks down the how and why’s in a way that is easy to understand and also helps to find ways to heal.  

As far as professionally, that would be Tonia Minor-White and April White of Virginia Full Figured Fashion Week. They saw in me what I couldn’t at the time and have continued to push me towards excellence in all I do. They are extremely helpful and willing to teach anyone who is willing to put in the work to learn what knowledge they have gained.

QSM: You recently became a brand ambassador for Jose Pagan’s photo tour. The must have been a great opportunity for you. Tell us how this came about.

Ricki: I offered to help the current Ambassador Rasheedah Williams with being a set assistant on the days that I wasn’t shooting. It was so fun helping everyone get dressed and seeing the amazing designs and concepts that those beautiful and creative women came up with! I pride myself on having a great work ethic and put in the same effort whether I’m getting a paycheck or volunteering. I do it because it gives me joy and expect nothing in return. I think that’s what sets me aside from most. On the last day Jose pulled me aside and asked if I would be interested in being the ambassador for 2023. I was completely shocked! I’m grateful for the opportunity.

QSM: If you had the opportunity to change anything about the plus size fashion industry what would they be?

Ricki: Showcasing all body types. A broader representation of the female form. I understand that this is a business of aesthetics and what’s in today is out tomorrow, but we are not all shaped the same. We don’t all have a perfectly proportioned hourglass figure.

QSM: When it comes to modeling, where do you stand as far as wanting to be signed or freelancing.

Ricki: That is a very good question. They both have their benefits and pitfalls. While I would welcome the opportunity to be signed, there are certain needs that would need to be met in the contract. So I think for me right now freelancing is best because I can set my schedule. I can work as much or as little as I choose with no limitations on who or where I work. I need to be able to have the freedom to turn down a job if it does not align with my brand. While I take my work seriously, this is my passion and what I love doing. I don’t want it to become a chore or stressful or feel pressured into doing anything I’m not comfortable with.

QSM: One of the things that I try to advise people is to set goals for yourself; when you hang up your heels what are the three things on your goal list that you would like to have accomplished?

Ricki:   1. Be a feature cover of a prestigious fashion magazine (done ✅ 😉) 2. Walk the runway in Milan. 3. Create an outreach program for aspiring models from low-income households.  At the end of it all I want to know that I wasn’t just another pretty marketable face, but that I inspired others to never give up on themselves and to help them love themselves and not dim their shine.

QSM: Congrats on check one. I am looking forward to seeing you check off numbers two and three. Other than working on those goals, do you have anything coming up that we can be on the lookout for? Please also let people know where they can follow and support your journey.

Ricki: I’m just getting back in the swing of things. I took an extended hiatus. The shutdown helped me to slow down and focus on myself and my growth as a person but now it’s time for the glow-up. I have a few projects on the drawing board. Another is to recreate a music video from a famous 90s icon but I can’t give too much away on that right now.

You can follow me on Instagram and Facebook.

https://www.instagram.com/face_of_vf3w/

https://www.facebook.com/faceofvf3w/

All images shot by Jose Pagan Photography