SHE is the curvy cruise ship singer who is fed up of being told ‘you have such a pretty face for a big girl.’

So size 18, Holly Macgillivray, is now hoping to show she is more than a pretty face by becoming a poster girl for voluptuous women after reaching the finals of a competition that celebrates the fuller figure.

The 25-year-old has beat thousands of hopefuls from around the world to be chosen in the final 25, (pictured), for a plus size lingerie company’s annual Star in a Bra competition – and is proud to be the only size 18 woman in the competition.

Daily Echo:

Holly, said: “If someone says all models should be a size zero I’d say it’s ridiculous! If I’m purchasing an outfit, I don’t want to know what it would look like on a size zero, I want to know what it would look like on a size 18.

“I entered Star in a Bra to prove to people that I’m not and never will be ashamed of my size.”

Holly said she has always been body confident and loves clothes, shoes and make-up to show off her voluptuous figure.

“We all have our ugly days, but I try to just ignore them.

“I never hide away.

"A size 18 dressed head to toe in black will still look a size 18. What’s the point in hiding yourself away? Stick on a leather pencil skirt and a red blazer and be fabulous!”

Lingerie company, Curvy Kate, makes swimwear and underwear for larger figures and strives to use models that help spread body positivity and acceptance.

The company’s competition saw ten finalists chosen today and invited to London for a photo shoot and makeover before a final public vote in April.

The overall winner will join the lingerie company’s line-up at their summer shoot and be awarded a year-long modelling contract and an all expenses paid holiday with £1,000 spending money.

For Holly though, who lives on the Isle of Wight, it is about helping other women love their bodies.

“I want to help women of all shapes and sizes realise that we are all beautiful! We need to celebrate our bodies and realise how lovely we are.

“Life’s too short to not just make the most of what we have!”

Daily Echo:

With the public outcry for the use of more realistic images in the media, the Star in a Bra competition champions the use of customer role models and promotes a positive approach to body image, which all women can relate to.

Known for their use of non-professional models, Curvy Kate show their fans exactly how their lingerie will look and fit on a variety of body shapes.

They say they want to find a “confident girl with killer curves” to model in all their campaigns.”

Find out more about Star in a Bra >>

COMPETITION 

Curvy Kate, which sells D-K cup lingerie, are offering one lucky Daily Echo reader the chance to win a lingerie set of their choice from their Spring/Summer collection. 

Simply answer this question: 
What is the name of the Curvy Kate competition to find their next poster girl? 

Simply send your answers on a postcard to Curvy Kate competition, Your Lifestyle, Southern Daily Echo, Newspaper House, Test Lane, Redbridge, Southampton, SO16 9JX.

Entries close midnight Tuesday, March 17. All standard Newsquest terms and conditions apply. 

To view the new collection go to www.curvykate.com/brochure/book/ss15.php