Jennifer Atilémile’s Holiday Rules

Meet Jennifer Atilémile, the Melbourne-born model, influencer, and champion of inclusivity. From breaking barriers in the fashion industry to advocating for body positivity, Jennifer’s journey is as inspiring as it is empowering. In this exclusive Q&A, we delve into her experiences, beliefs, and aspirations, uncovering the remarkable woman behind the camera lens.

How has your multicultural background, being a first-generation Australian on your father’s side from Reunion, influenced your perspective and journey in the fashion industry?

I’ve just noticed a lack of diversity and representation. My dad migrated to Australia a couple of years before I was born. Australia hasn’t got the best history of being welcoming or accepting of anyone that doesn’t fit their “ideal” of what an Australian looks like – they have poorly treated the Indigenous population, and they had a “White Australia Policy” until 1973, and the flow on effect in terms of racialized bias and negativity towards immigrants who were not European definitely lingered, especially in the 90s and early 2000s.

Naturally, you can imagine what our television shows and magazines looked like as a result. This had such a negative effect on me growing up, as I had an identity crisis, my Dad’s side of the family were all strong, confident Black women. I didn’t see women like them, or even anyone with mixed heritage represented, just the quintessential Aussie beach babe – I felt like I didn’t fit in anywhere, and I really struggled with my worth and self-esteem. I started in the industry as one of the very few women of colour, and the industry I believe struggled to find space for all of us to exist together. So, I set out to try and make a difference, to be the change I wanted to see so that the future generation could grow up with the representation I never had growing up.

You broke barriers in your family by being the first to pursue higher education. How has your educational background shaped your career as a model and influencer?

I technically wasn’t the first – my mum went to university too but I was the first to complete graduate education. I prioritized finishing my studies before I left Australia to model, and I definitely don’t regret it. I knew I’d never come back to studying, and now I have such an incredible foundation of knowledge to navigate my career with. I focused on human rights and also did journalism, and I’ve always wanted to be able to give a voice to the voiceless. That’s been something that I’ve channelled from the beginning. I also think that having insider knowledge about the digital media landscape and how it’s been evolving has given me a really solid understanding of social media, which has been a tremendous tool for growing my platform and voice in this industry.

In a recent interview, you highlighted the importance of adaptability in the fast-paced world of fashion. Could you elaborate on how your ability to adjust to different environments and situations has contributed to your success?

I think it’s all about having a positive attitude to whatever is thrown at you. This industry isn’t an easy one to work in, you’re constantly on the move, often tired and out of your routine. Obviously, if there’s a situation that makes me uncomfortable, I’ll always speak up, but I’ll usually always give it a try. I think that’s the Australian work ethic, we always give it a go!

Your platforms cover various topics such as fashion, beauty, food, lifestyle, and social commentary. How do you balance these diverse interests and maintain authenticity in your content?

Honestly, it’s really hard. People don’t realize that posting on social media in the way that is so normalized now requires a lot of time and dedication – it’s pretty much a job. Not to mention you’re fighting against an algorithm that hides anything that’s remotely political and that’s not easily palatable for the masses. To be able to maintain my authenticity, I try not to overly schedule or “plan” content. I just post what I want when I want, almost in real-time, so it makes you feel like you’ve got a tiny glimpse into my life, but not too much! I want to keep most of my life private.

As a panellist at the Forbes Australia Women’s Summit, you spoke about the Power of Representation. Could you expand on your views regarding inclusivity and representation in the fashion industry?

I spoke a lot about how there’s still a lack of inclusivity and representation in the industry, and that it’s still a lot of performative actions and no real lasting change. I believe the reason for that is because there aren’t people from diverse backgrounds in the organizations, in the marketing teams, so you can’t actually tell the story from a diverse perspective, because there’s nobody there with lived experience. Just like we can tell when a fashion campaign or advertising campaign is shot from a female perspective (usually because the director is a woman), we need that same effort for true representation, for greater cultural and gender diversity – because we will all benefit from these stories being told. We will gain greater understanding and acceptance for different cultures, and experiences, and also change (and save) lives in the process.

You strongly believe that all women should feel comfortable and confident embracing their natural bodies. How do you envision a future where labels like “plus size” become obsolete, and body diversity is celebrated?

If we didn’t live in such a fatphobic society, we wouldn’t even be having this conversation. I think it’s important to note that not all bodies are supposed to look the same. That’s really boring. Honestly, I’d love when the term “plus size” disappears from our vocabulary, but truthfully, it won’t disappear until we actually cater to all bodies. If brands made clothes for everyone, then we wouldn’t need these labels characterizing the different sections, they’d all just be clothes. If we finally just cater to all bodies, then we wouldn’t need to categorize people as plus-sized or straight-sized, or in-between-sized. I also don’t know if I’m qualified to comment on this either, everyone’s experience of “plus size” is different, and I know some people have found community in these labels – I just know for me, and in my line of work, I want to be referred to as a model.

Advocating for greater body diversity in fashion is one of your missions. What steps do you think the industry should take to achieve this goal?

I think right now there is a definite shift back to skinny, it’s evident on the runways. I think the biggest thing the industry can do is just stop being elitist and exclusionary, and just put us all back on the runways and in magazines. I really think the pendulum will swing back though, and we will look at this moment in history as just that – a moment. There are so many other conversations that need to be had about how racism, fatphobia, and the patriarchy, and how they dictate how we consume fashion – once those start being had, we can envision a more inclusive fashion landscape.

Being Victoria’s Secret’s first Australian curve model must have been a significant milestone. How did this experience influence your perception of the industry and your role as a trailblazer?

It really was. Being the first to do anything is a major achievement, especially if it’s going to open doors for other people to follow in your footsteps. It’s just shown me that there’s so much more work to do though, especially in my home country of Australia – that it’s not just a box that we need to tick and that’s it – lasting change comes from more than tokenistic inclusion. The experience has definitely lit a fire under me, and I’ve been nonstop with work ever since, and I’ve been given an incredible platform to really drive change. I’m excited to see what I do next!

Apart from your professional endeavours, you have a passion for yoga, strength training, and Pilates. How do these activities contribute to your overall well-being and self-expression as an individual?

I used to be extremely active as a child, I played a lot of sports and I danced a lot too when I was involved with my various choirs and musical theatre groups. However, there was a period of my young adult life where I was figuring myself out and stopped moving my body in a way that felt good to me. I also started to view exercise as a tool to lose weight rather than to feel good. Once I found the sports that felt good for me and shifted the way I viewed exercise, these activities helped me to feel strong in my body. These exercises have allowed me to feel strong and powerful in my body both mentally and physically – and have allowed me to do the work that I do.

Jennifer’s Holiday Rules

What’s your secret to staying stylish and fresh while globetrotting?

Planning my outfits before I leave. It also makes getting ready for vacation easy and quick! You know what works with what already do you kind of just grab and go!

How do you keep up with self-care and a healthy lifestyle on your travels?

When I’m on holiday I don’t! It’s a holiday. But when I’m travelling for work, I take a lot of things with me – from my vitamins to a red light face mask. I even brought compression boots with me on my most recent trip to Australia. I also love that I can work out in my hotel room so easily with the invention of online fitness programs, so I’ll either do yoga, Pilates or stretching on my favourite apps, Peaches Pilates, The Pilates Class and SkyTing.

Name three must-pack items that always make it into your suitcase.

A notebook and pen, my passport, and my skincare.

Share a travel experience that completely transformed your outlook on life.

I went to Sri Lanka with my girlfriends about 7 years ago. We decided to do homestays, and we stayed in various towns with beautiful Sri Lankan families and cooked beautiful traditional meals. One day I decided to take a surf lesson, and I didn’t have much luck catching a wave. Being a Taurus, I’m so stubborn, and wouldn’t leave the water until I caught a wave. My instructor gave me some advice, don’t think, and just become the wave. Once you’re in it, just allow yourself to go with the flow. I think about that often, because I let go of my need for perfection, and caught a wave. I have the same mentality now with life when things get really chaotic.

If you could jet off to a fashion-forward paradise, where would it be and why?

I’m a sucker for Paris. I’m a romantic and I love the city so much in every season. You are also so close to all the gorgeous European beaches for a cheeky little weekend getaway.

Do any have favourite resorts or hotels that have left a lasting impression on you?

I took my boyfriend to Hotel Esencia for his birthday and it was truly magical. We went over a full moon and had a candlelit dinner under the moonlight and were able to release baby turtles into the ocean as part of the hotel’s conservation efforts! Just incredible!

How do you dive into the local culture and fashion scene when exploring a new city?

I always start my trip with a walk around the neighbourhood, getting lost in a city is the best place to find unique experiences. I love to eat in a city, I’ll always ask for authentic experiences – like I don’t want to eat Italian food in Mexico for example! I’ll also just sit in a cafe or bar and people-watch. That’s how I suss out the fashion scene!

Give us your top packing hack for fitting a fabulous wardrobe into a small suitcase.

Slip dresses! They’re light, roll up easily, and you can pack a variety. Also, most of the time you will never see anyone you know on vacation, so who cares if you wear the same thing more than once!! Only you will know! I’m still trying to figure out a shoe hack though, I always bring at least five pairs!!

Has a particular travel destination influenced your personal style or introduced you to new fashion trends?

I definitely learned a few things in Copenhagen. I love Scandinavian style!

For fashionistas on the move, what’s your ultimate tip for infusing style into every travel adventure?

Don’t overthink your outfits. I used to obsess over my outfit being Instagram-ready, and I’d end up not enjoying the holiday and focusing more on the outfits! I think if you stay true to your own personal style, and just have fun (because you’re on holiday) you’ll be winning!