Size matters for Marieka Marston. 

The SAINT International star, currently splashed across the pages of the influential British women’s magazine, More or Less, is the sole plus-sized model signed to Jamaica’s premier modelling agency. It is a badge of honour Marston proudly trumpets at every given turn.

“I stand out because I’m SAINT’s only full-figured model,” the Portmore resident shared in a recent sit-down with Our Today.

“Women who have my body type should be inspired to see nothing is wrong with your body and that there is room for models with my figure in the industry now, versus years ago.”

Marston’s appearance in the new issue of More or Less, lensed recently by London-based photographer Alexandra Leese in Negril, Westmoreland, marks a new career high point for her.

The shoot focusing on environmentally sustainable swimwear and accessories fashioned from marine life was done back in May in the resort town’s western end cavernous and beachside locations.

 “It was my first time being in actual caves so that first hand sighting and the beauty of Jamaica with the different beaches we went to helped make the experience memorable. They were places I’ve never imagined going to,” the self-assured beauty with an easy smile explained.

The fast-rising model star was previously featured in the British magazine System for an editorial shot in Treasure Beach, St Elizabeth last summer. She also was lensed for another English publication, Re-Edition, for the magazine photo story done in Portland, in which she was clothed in luxury labels Balenciaga, Chanel and Versace.

Divulging the backstory of her model discovery, Marston recalled she exercised initiative and directly reached out to SAINT’s chief executive officer Deiwght Peters on social media three years ago. 

“I sent Mr Peters a selfie on Instagram after I saw a post about a model search and he replied saying he loved my face and wanted to meet with me and the rest is now history,” she said.

For the 25-year-old, who maintains a day job as a call centre operator when not on model assignments, she candidly recalled to Our Today that although she is now comfortable in in her own skin as a dark-skinned woman, there were moments in her past she faced doubts after her beauty.

“When I was younger, I’m ashamed to admit it but I hated when people used to say ‘you’re pretty for a black girl’ or call me ‘blacky tutus’ because I was brainwashed to believe all the negativity that came with black skin. It was that bad. I even thought of bleaching once, just to comply with the beauty standards society forces us to believe about lighter skin,” she revealed.

“When I got older, I learnt to not only love me but be an advocate for the skin I’m in. If you are of lighter skin, it’s not easy to understand the classism that exists in Jamaica,” she said.

Finding acceptance at SAINT, where blackness is both celebrated and marketed on global fashion platforms, Marston is at peace and brims with optimism about where life is headed.

“I see myself breaking barriers for a full figure model and walking for fashion week shows in Paris, London, Milan, New York, and doing campaigns for brands such as Burberry and Prada. That’s the goal and with Mr Peters in my corner I know it will happen,” she confidently declared.