About Me

Remember the name, it’s one you won’t forget.

Essie Golden is the type of name you make up because you want to be a rock star. But Essie Golden’s name is her God-given name and Golden couldn’t be more fitting. Essie shines bright in photos and she uses her voice as a confidence boost for plus size women.

Essie is a model, body-positive advocate, and a trusted and respected voice in the plus size community. Even though her photos are stunning, she’s much more than a fierce pose and smoldering eyes. Her message stretches beyond the snapshots to encourage and inspire women who look like her to embrace themselves in full Golden Confidence.

You’ve likely seen her pretty pink pout modeling for brands like Monif C, RUE107, Nakimuli and Courtney Noelle. And in case you missed Essie in these glamorous campaigns, you’ve probably seen her around the Internet in features on Bustle, Buzzfeed (twice), Essence (three different times), Fashion Bomb Daily, Plus Size About, and Refinery 29.

Modeling is seen as glamorous, but the heavy criticism that goes into it can break anyone’s self-esteem. While some cower under that intense pressure, Essie learned to love her imperfect curves with each flash of the camera. Essie says, “Eventually, modeling helped me with my own body issues. When you model, you have no say in what you wear. You show your flaws and that’s your job. It forced me to embrace my imperfections. “

Being a plus size model and body-positive advocate is challenging enough, but Essie is always seeking out a new way to challenge herself and has opened up her brand to the world of blogging, fashion design and brand collaboration. And with a resume this impressive, it’s no wonder that major brands like Lane Bryant, Ashley Stewart, Macy’s and Ciroc partner with Essie on several of their initiatives.

Essie’s used her confidence as well as the confidence she’s bestowed in countless other plus size women and launched the Monif C, Plus Model Magazine and Rue107 sponsored Golden Confidence Pool Party! The highly successful, highly attended and highly socialized event started in New York City and in a year’s time has launch a U.S. three-city tour (Los Angeles, Miami and New York City).

It’s no wonder Essie is sought out as a voice for plus size women who lack confidence. She’s spoken on many panels, including CurvyCon, Geek Chic at LMHQ and Power and Plus Speaking, offering insight on fashion, love and relationships and body-positivity.

It’s Essie’s Golden Confidence that allows her to not only lift herself up, but the entire plus size community as well. What started as a hashtag celebrating plus size women in swimwear (#GoldenConfidence), has become a movement, allowing women all over the world to join together in a festival of loving themselves despite society’s unrealistic parameters of beauty.  Golden Confidence is all about embracing your beauty, shining bright, and projecting your confidence in anything you wear no matter what size, color or shape you are.

It’s clear that everything Essie touches turns to gold. And with her striking appearance and immaculate community-building skills, you’re just going to have to sit back and watch her shine.

Now you know the name, watch her slay.