Catie Li on Embracing Life

A business-savvy entrepreneur and successful Chinese-American plus-size model, Catie Li began her career after graduating UC Santa Barbara and moving to LA to pursue a career in public relations. Now, she resides in LA with her fiancé Carlos and creates fashion, beauty, fitness, and lifestyle content for her dedicated followers on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. On these platforms, Catie shares her influential fashion and travel tips, while also creating styling videos that promote confidence and inclusivity of all body types. Through her modelling career, Catie hopes to inspire body positivity and encourage women to feel confident in their own skin no matter their size or ethnicity. Her radiant message and talent have landed her partnerships with global brands such as Athleta, Good American, Amazon Fashion, and Supergoop.

What inspired you to pursue modelling?

Modelling happened by chance! Growing up I was told I was pretty but too big to become a model. It wasn’t until my path crossed another plus-size model while buying her sofa off Craigslist that I found out I could even become a model.

Have any plus-size models inspired you?

So many of my peers inspire me! I think it is so important that we all support each other. Some to follow are Bri Martinez, Hunter Mcgrady, Kayla Jane, Kamie Crawford, Ashourina and more!

What have been the biggest milestones in your modelling career?

I was in September Vogue twice for a Kerastase campaign, on a Times Square billboard for Forever 21 and was featured in Women’s Health Magazine just recently! Honestly, every opportunity I have had has been a blessing as I could never imagine that this would be in the cards for me.

What is the message that you hope inspires others by your social media presence?

Don’t take no for an answer and embrace your most authentic self.

What has given you confidence?

My audience! Helping even just one person is more than enough, but to be able to help more people through my platform is a dream.

What has been the most memorable milestone in your modelling career?

The most memorable was probably the same as my biggest milestones! It was such an unreal experience.

How has the body-positive movement influenced you?

It has inspired me to make a stand and tell my story. No sugar coating on how it is being plus. Not every day is positive, but striving to find ways we can embrace and love ourselves is so important.

What is next for you?

The sky is the limit, but I hope to do more designing and inspiring!

Catie’s Holiday Rules

Your favourite vacation destination?

St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands!

Top hotel?

Luv Tulum. I had a room right on the beach with amazing food! It was unexpected and probably why I loved it so much.

Most loved spa?

I love Korean Spas! Glen Ivy is great if you are in California! It is like a mini theme park but a spa theme park.

What’s your vacation style?

The beach with one activity a day! It must include a sailboat or snorkelling day.

Packing essentials?

CalPak smart luggage packing cubes! Any smart packing is like an obsession for me! You can get a bunch of them from CalPak and Amazon.

Tips for shopping tips for plus-size swimwear?

Try wearing your bathing suit bottoms back to front! It gives more coverage for the front.

The one beauty product you can’t live without on a holiday?

SPF! I love Tulas SPF for the face and SuperGoop!

What beauty trend do you rock on vacation?

Glowy skin care with stick blush.

Where are you travelling next?

I’m going to St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands.

 

For more, see Catie in Retreat Magazine!

Photography by Lauren Schulz at Azure Sky Hotel, Palm Springs.