A model who survived on a diet of "coffee and apples" to stay super slim is now considered "plus-sized" - despite being a size eight.<br /><br />Karoline Bjørnelykke, 26, got scouted to be a model at 15 and walked Paris Fashion Week for the first time at just 16.<br /><br />The chemistry student said it was a "requirement" to stay within an 86-88cm range around the hips and a size zero if she wanted to work in high fashion.<br /><br />After being "fat shamed" when her hips reached 89cm, Karoline took a break from modelling to "reconnect with her body".<br /><br />She stopped being so restrictive with her diet and started eating what she wanted - gaining 3st 2lbs. <br /><br />Now at her happiest, Karoline has returned to the industry but is considered a "plus-sized and curvy model" - despite being a size eight to 10.<br /><br />In the past she claims she has even worn padding to appear bigger, but now works with brands she agrees with and only if they already make her clothing size.<br /><br />Karoline, a model and chemistry student, from Oslo, Norway, said: “I was fat shamed when I gained two kilos (four pounds).<br /><br />“I’d had enough.<br /><br />“I thought I can’t sacrifice my life and health.<br /><br />“Every model has to have a restrictive diet.<br /><br />“I worked out twice a day and would eat a model diet of coffee and apples.<br /><br />“It’s sad.<br /><br />“Models are the most insecure people.<br /><br />“You got to a job and people are discussing if your face is good enough.<br /><br />“I wasn’t confident with myself at all.<br /><br />“Now I love my body and went back into modelling, but I’m considered plus-size or a curve model.<br /><br />“I really love working with plus-sized brands.<br /><br />"But I wouldn't say I am plus-sized."<br /><br />Karoline fell in love with modelling when she was scouted at age 15 but after battling anorexia at age 12 the “restrictive” diet and lifestyle took its toll.<br /><br />Karoline said: “I started to see it for what it is.<br /><br />“My hips measured 89cm and I was fat shamed for it on jobs.<br /><br />"They told me my fingers were fat, my face can't take to wait and that I needed to get in shape - which is a modelling term used to mean I needed to be skinnier. <br /><br />“It was the tip of the iceberg.” <br /><br />Karoline took a break from the industry in 2014 and focused on finding self-love.<br /><br />She said: “I started getting into weight training.<br /><br />“And then into health more.<br /><br />“I got more comfortable with my body.<br /><br />“I have a good relationship with my body now.”<br /><br />Karoline went back to modelling in 2017 but was then considered a ‘plus-sized model’ despite wearing size six to eight clothing.<br /><br />In the UK the average dress size is a size 16 - yet Karoline says it is common for smaller models to be used in plus-sized campaigns.<br /><br />Karoline said she has been asked to wear padding for jobs in the past – to appear bigger than she is.
