I’m considered a plus-sized despite being a size eight

A model who survived on a diet of ‘coffee and apples’ to stay super slim is now considered ‘plus-sized’ – despite being a size eight.

Karoline Bjørnelykke, 26, from Oslo, Norway, got scouted to be a model at 15 and walked Paris Fashion Week for the first time at just 16.

The chemistry student said it was a ‘requirement’ to stay within an 86-88cm range around the hips and a size zero if she wanted to work in high fashion.

After being ‘fat shamed’ when her hips reached 89cm, Karoline took a break from modelling to ‘reconnect with her body’.

She stopped being so restrictive with her diet and started eating what she wanted – gaining 3st 2lbs.

Karoline fell in love with modelling when she was scouted at age 15 but after battling anorexia at age 12 the ‘restrictive’ diet and lifestyle took its toll

Now at her happiest, Karoline has returned to the industry but is considered a ‘plus-sized and curvy model’ – despite being a size eight to 10.

In the past she claims she has even worn padding to appear bigger, but now works with brands she feels comfortable with. 

The model and chemistry student said: ‘I was fat shamed when I gained two kilos (four pounds).

‘I’d had enough. I thought I can’t sacrifice my life and health. Every model has to have a restrictive diet.

‘I worked out twice a day and would eat a model diet of coffee and apples. It’s sad.

‘Models are the most insecure people. You got to a job and people are discussing if your face is good enough.

‘I wasn’t confident with myself at all. Now I love my body and went back into modelling, but I’m considered plus-size or a curve model.

Now at her happiest, Karoline has returned to the industry but is considered a ‘plus-sized and curvy model’ – despite being a size eight to 10

Karoline Bjørnelykke, 26, from Oslo, Norway, who survived on a diet of ‘coffee and apples’ to stay super slim is now considered ‘plus-sized’ – despite being a size eight

‘I really love working with plus-sized brands. But I wouldn’t say I am plus-sized.’

Karoline fell in love with modelling when she was scouted at age 15 but after battling anorexia at age 12 the ‘restrictive’ diet and lifestyle took its toll.

Karoline said: ‘I started to see it for what it is. My hips measured 89cm and I was fat shamed for it on jobs.

‘They told me my fingers were fat, my face can’t take to wait and that I needed to get in shape – which is a modelling term used to mean I needed to be skinnier. It was the tip of the iceberg.’

Karoline took a break from the industry in 2014 and focused on finding self-love.

She said: ‘I started getting into weight training. And then into health more. I got more comfortable with my body. I have a good relationship with my body now.’

Karoline went back to modelling in 2017 but was then considered a ‘plus-sized model’ despite wearing size six to eight clothing

Despite some of her negative experiences within the industry Karoline still loves what she does

Karoline went back to modelling in 2017 but was then considered a ‘plus-sized model’ despite wearing size six to eight clothing.

She said: ‘It’s pathetic that they are calling normal sized people plus-sized. People in the industry look at me and think I am plus-sized.

‘When I was small, I was a size zero. I was so skinny back then. If you look at the runways now, they are just as skinny as they were.

‘High fashion is extreme and being skinny is one of those standards. I’m a normal and healthy person – that should be the standard.’

In the UK the average dress size is a size 16 – yet Karoline says it is common for smaller models to be used in plus-sized campaigns.

Karoline said she has been asked to wear padding for jobs in the past – to appear bigger than she is.

She said: ‘They have used padding on me before. It’s very strange. It’s not new that plus-sized brands are booking people who are small.’

Despite some of her negative experiences within the industry Karoline still loves what she does.

She said: ‘There is a lot of good in the industry. I really love working for plus-sized brands.

‘I think they are doing a really good thing. I fit some of their sizes so I’m happy to model for them. Not doing padding anymore – I’d never do that again.’