When you hear the name Gwen DeVoe, you don’t just think of fashion—you think of legacy. A powerhouse, pioneer, and visionary, Gwen has been setting stages and breaking barriers for over two decades. As the founder of Full Figured Fashion Week, she’s redefined beauty standards and created a space where confidence, curves, and couture coexist.
But there’s so much more to her story—and we’ve got the exclusive. In this candid conversation, Gwen opens up about her journey, the challenges she’s overcome, and what’s next in her mission to amplify underrepresented voices in fashion. Whether you’re a long-time admirer or just discovering her brilliance, one thing is certain: this interview will leave you inspired, empowered, and ready to take up space.
Gwen, you’ve been a trailblazer in the fashion industry for years. Let’s rewind—how did Full Figured Fashion Week come to life, and what impact did it have on the modeling world as we know it today?
I was inspired to create Full Figured Fashion Week after attending a New York Fashion Week show and not being able to visualize myself in the clothes worn by the models. As a plus-size consumer, I was disappointed that the clothes shown on the runway did not come in my size, and I set out to create a fashion week for plus-size consumers.
Before FFFWeek, plus-size models and fashion were often sidelined in mainstream fashion shows. FFFWeek gave plus-size models a high-profile platform to showcase their talent, pushing back against industry norms that favored only straight-size models. Full Figured Fashion Week confronted traditional beauty ideals by celebrating diverse body types. This helped shift the perception of beauty and inspired more inclusive marketing and casting practices across major brands.
After years behind the scenes, what inspired you to step in front of the camera as a model and actor?
I originally had no intention of pursuing a career as a commercial model and actor, but my good friend and photographer, Dorothy Shi, encouraged me to do it after I started wearing salt and pepper hair during the pandemic. I don’t think people are aware of how many opportunities there are for mature men and women in this industry. There are quite a few – I am proof of it!
Many people are afraid to pivot later in life. What was the most empowering part of your own transition into modeling and acting in your 60s?
The most empowering part of my transition into modeling and acting was when I landed my first commercial, which was an Etsy commercial that renewed for 3 straight years. Six to eight months before booking Etsy, I had just signed with my first agent. He had been submitting me weekly, and I was landing nothing. I finally got an email from him saying, “Etsy wants to book you — you’re on your way!” I was so excited that I kept saying to myself, “You did it, Gwen, you booked a job”. The second most empowering was when I booked NYFW with the brand Sprayground. They booked me from my online agency portfolio – not a runway audition. I was one of three mature models booked for the show.
You’ve landed campaigns with major brands and starred in commercials—what has that experience been like, especially as a mature model?
Booking campaigns and commercials with major brands as a mature model has been a very rewarding and empowering experience for me. The campaigns I book often focus on confidence, success, and self-care—less about being a clothes hanger and more about telling a story. Also, there are fewer professional mature models overall, so once you’re in, you can really carve out a niche for yourself.
Tell us about Silver Fox Model Camp—what made you launch it, and what’s the mission behind it?
I created the Silver Fox Model Camp to empower and support mature individuals—particularly those aged 50 and older—who aspire to pursue careers in modeling, acting, and influencing. As I became interested in becoming a professional commercial model and actor, I recognized a significant gap in opportunities for older talent. The Silver Fox Model Camp serves as a resource to bridge this gap by offering workshops, mentoring, consulting, and networking events tailored to the unique needs of mature models and actors.
The mission of the Silver Fox Model Camp is to provide mature men and women with the tools and information needed to embark on new careers or hobbies in the fields of fashion, beauty, and entertainment. By offering personalized coaching and comprehensive wellness assessments, the Silver Fox Model Camp aims to help participants build confidence, develop their skills, and navigate the industry effectively.
Social media can be intimidating, especially for older generations. How have you embraced it to grow your brand and inspire others?
Love this question— I have so much life experience and wisdom to share, and social media can be such a powerful tool for connection, storytelling, and influence at any age. I continue to embrace social media as a tool to grow my brand and inspire others by being authentic, sharing life tips, advice, my personal journeys, and by posting behind-the-scenes of my modeling career in hopes that those posts will inspire others of my generation to follow their dreams of being successful in the modeling industry.
What do you say to the woman looking in the mirror today, thinking, “I’ve missed my moment”?
I would say, “Moments don’t expire—they just change shape. You haven’t missed yours. You’ve lived through many, and there are still more waiting for you. Beautiful ones. Surprising ones. Ones only you can step into…..just do it…the industry is waiting for you!”
And finally — what’s next for Gwen DeVoe?
As I make preparations to retire from my full-time publishing job, my goal is to continue creating additional opportunities to support and showcase the creative talents of mature men and women through the work that will be done by my new foundation, the Ageless Arts Foundation, LLC. Stay tuned!
Social Media to Follow:
FB@ GwendolynLDeVoe
IG @gwenmoguldevoe
IG @silverfoxmodelcamp
Bookings:
IG @statemgmt
IG @seasonedmodelsnyc
Photography:
Photographer: Shanyn Fiske @shanynfiske
MU: Violetta Kruglyak @violaknyc
HAIR: Monae Shepard @moeshairlife
You May Also Like
Browse PMM Today
Sleep Like a Queen: Your Nightly Wind-Down Checklist for Real Rest
Behind the Glam: Understanding the Business Side of Modeling
Confidence, Captured: Milton Franklyn Goedhoop and Sharon Dumfries on Launching Confidence Creators NL
Celebrating Excellence: Black-Owned Brands to Support Year-Round
Top 20 Songs for the Backdrop of Your Life
Finding Peace Through Guided Meditation
Explore by topic: Models & Modeling · Cover Model · Fashion, Style & Beauty · Featured Interviews · Trends
