“What did I have to lose?” Nedda Denk from Munich talks about her way to the final of a pageant – in which she shows off a courageous outfit.
Munich – “No matter how it turns out, I will continue,” says Nedda Denk. “It feels good to stand by me.” The 36-year-old from Munich will become “Miss Kurvig” in Krefeld on December 14th. How is she feeling before the final of the pageant for plus-size women? “I'm dying of excitement,” says Denk in an interview with our editorial team.
“I've always been told: If you lost a little weight, you could become a model.” The 36-year-old makes it clear: “I like myself the way I am.” They pushed the comments aside for a long time, but then at the turn of the year made a resolution: “I want to be brave in 2024.”
“The only plus-size pageant in the Republic”:
The modeling agency “Fräulein Kurvig” is promoting the gala on December 14th, which will take place in Krefeld’s Circus Probst. 24 finalists emerged from 2,100 applicants. “We are looking for a role model for other women who can finally accept their bodies again.” “This includes celebrating diversity and body diversity,” says organizer Melanie Hauptmanns. Women with dress sizes between 38 and 56 will present lingerie, everyday and bridal fashion on the catwalk. The three winners will receive a contract with the modeling agency.
Munich woman claims during calendar shoot: “Couldn’t believe they took me”
I saw a call on Tiktok to apply for the “Fräulein Kurvig” casting. “What did I have to lose?” Getting started was easy, says the Heidelberg native. First she had to fill out a questionnaire. A few weeks later, I was invited to a video call. Think convinced. As one of 22 women, she contributes to the “Fräulein Kurvig” calendar. “I couldn’t believe that they actually took me,” says the 36-year-old, who works at a Munich media agency, looking back.
The shooting took place in April. “I didn’t even know how to position myself,” Denk remembers exciting moments in a Düsseldorf hotel. She first had to understand what working as a model entails. She has completed three days of training with renowned catwalk and dance trainers. “At 36, I’m also just learning how to put on makeup really well.”
Challenge as a model: 36-year-old walks in her underwear
During the shoot, Denk met her competitors for the first time. “Everyone was very friendly and had similar hurdles in life. It was like a mini self-help group.” A popular topic of conversation: As a plus-size person, it is very difficult to buy clothes. “You won’t find anything hip, a lot of things look like grandma.”
By taking part in the calendar shoot, Denk automatically qualified for the semi-finals and prevailed there too. Now she's even running in her underwear at the gala in Krefeld, as one of six participants. “I'm very proud of that. This is actually a meter outside my comfort zone.”
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Miss election for plus-size women: Munich woman will be “Miss Kurvig”.
Denk reports that she has received nothing but positive reactions to her participation so far. “Even from people I never expected that from.” The 36-year-old doesn’t want to pay any attention to the fact that there could be negative voices on social media. “If you don’t want to look at me, just keep scrolling.”
A few weeks ago Denk created a new Instagram channel, giving insights into the new everyday life as a plus-size model. She has made another resolution for 2025 – regardless of how the finale goes on December 14th. They will expand their presence on social media and advocate tolerance even more strongly. “I want to encourage people to jump over their own shadows. If I can achieve just one, that will be worth a lot.”
