Model Marieka Marston slays the runway

Size matters for Marieka Marston.

The SAINT International star, whose image is currently splashed across the pages of the influential British women's magazine More or Less, is the sole plus-size model signed to the 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, St Catherine resident shared with THE STAR. "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, marks a new career high point for her. The shoot, which focuses on environmentally sustainable swimwear and accessories fashioned from marine life, was done in May in the resort town's western end's 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," the self-assured beauty said. The fast-rising model was previously featured in the British magazine System for an editorial shoot 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 that she exercised initiative and directly reached out to SAINT's CEO 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 quipped.

The 25-year-old, who maintains a day job as a call centre operator when not on modelling assignments, candidly recalled to THE STAR that, although she is now comfortable as a dark-skinned woman, there were moments in her past in which she faced doubts about 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 to 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 explained.

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 said.