Ra Gibbs

Fashion is in her blood and she's all about style

My name is Rasheema Gibbs and I am a native of Brooklyn, NY. My current profession of 10 years is with the NYC Dept of Education. My primary role is working in the field of Special Education as an Assistant.

I’ve always had an eye for fashion and style. My passion for modeling started during the pandemic; June 2020. With all eyes glued to Social Media at the time; I focused my attention to gain notoriety by modeling my wardrobe. To further my passion, I invested in my development by connecting with modeling coach and mentor Jeannie Ferguson-Goodlow.

Through this partnership, I’ve gained exposure by modeling in countless fashion shows. I’ve had the pleasure to be featured on the site of City Chic Clothing and plus-size blog sites , various social media pages, and lastly, Target’s website regarding my style.

I plan to take my skills to the next level. My overall goal will be to collaborate with plus size brands, become a feature print/ad model, and of course more runway shows.

For the last three years, I’ve been introduced to an inclusive plus size community, which has helped me to become confident and fearless.

What inspired you to delve into the world of fashion, and how did you navigate the challenges and opportunities during that time?

I came from a fashion home I was raised in church from young my mom was a missionary my dad was a deacon. My brother was a musician. Another one was acquired Director and the other sung in the world famous gospel choir, so I was surrounded by style and looks, my mother would be in beautiful church hats, beautiful satin and sequence suits. The men in my family were the sharpest in suits, all the designer ties, and the best designer loafers. So I had no choice but to be into fashion, and being that I was plus size since a kid I had to try extra harder. Sometimes the fashions were a little grown because of the sizing but I made it work. My size has always been a challenge even for my mom trying to buy outfits from different department stores. I quickly had to transition into women’s sizes and looks which sometimes I hate it because it made me look older, but the fashions had definitely change once I matured and knew what my style was.

Balancing a full-time role in Special Education with a burgeoning modeling career must be demanding. How do you manage your time effectively to excel in both professions, and have you found any parallels between your roles in education and modeling?

My first love has always been education and children that’s something that’s been a passion on my life, Because I work in the education system, I have a little bit more time on my hands so I’m able to do things after work on the weekends during holiday breaks and I have the summers off. There has been times where I had a fashion show in a whole different state. I had to rush back home to be in classes the next morning, and although it was very draining, this is the life I chose…I often get asked if I had to choose between teaching or modeling what would it be? I honestly still can’t answer that Because I love my students and I also love modeling. But if opportunity came along one thing, my school knows is that I’m into modeling and they were totally understand and support my decision.

Your training with modeling coach Jeannie Ferguson-Goodlow has been integral to your development. How has this partnership influenced your approach to modeling, and are there specific lessons or advice that have been particularly impactful for you?

Working with Coach Jeannie has been amazing these past few years, I’ve learned so much she’s always made me feel comfortable to ask for help. She’s very supportive with any model who is willing to listen and learn. Now she does not play in her classes so don’t come there wasting her time but I promise you it’s all in love, and when she sees something in you, she pushes you and she pushed me into where I am today. She spoke highly of me in rooms that I didn't even know about I’m so grateful for her life and for her gift and talent. Working with Coach Jeannie has given me so much confidence and boldness I used to be afraid to step out, I used to be afraid to speak up. I’ve been on cast, and where I was the only plus size model in the room and I audition for them like I belong there. Those are the perks and benefits of working with Jeannie Ferguson because she’s gonna pull whatever she sees out of you.

Can you share more about your journey into modeling, especially considering that it started during the pandemic in June 2020?

I tell this story all the time my mom was the one who spoke Modeling over my life. She always told me I had these beautiful long legs and that I should show them off. I always love taking pictures and walking in heels and wearing dresses. 2020 was a scary year for all of us during the pandemic call it ran through the world like a plague and unfortunately in April 2020 I lost my mom due to COVID-19. I was devastated that my biggest cheerleader was gone. I felt hopeless because I was her caregiver so it felt like I had nothing else to live for months. I didn’t want to take pictures anymore and I remember having a dream about my mom and she telling me that I needed to live and do everything that I couldn’t do before, so I found myself back in front of the camera again. I begin posing and matching my outfits with my sneakers doing it all for her and I wanted to take it a step further, and I joined a modeling class. This process helped me deal with my grief tremendously. So every picture that I take every walk, I take down the runway I do it in honor of my mother, Betty Ann Gibbs.

Being featured on City Chic Clothing's site, various plus-size blog sites, and Target's website is an impressive accomplishment. Can you share some key moments or experiences from these collaborations that stand out to you?

The city chic feature came about because I was a part of Crusade of Curves were the founder is Mallory B. Richardson, Runway show in NYC and city chic was one of the featured brand. I was able to model their clothing, and I guess my outfit stood out with my blonde hair lol, Mallory had tagged me in a post congrating me and told me I was on their site so that was really a high moment for me. I was able to be featured on target website because their new clothing line showcasing black designers and I guess they like the way I put my looks together and they put me on their page. I get a lot of DM’s about my style and how I put my looks together, so different fashion blogs would ask me a few questions and ask if I would like to be featured.

Your goal is to collaborate with plus-size brands, become a featured print/ad model, and participate in more runway shows. How do you plan to achieve these goals, and are there specific brands or projects you aspire to work with in the future?

As much as I love ripping the runway in heels, you can catch me any day in a pair of sweats and sneakers, that is my uniform lol. I’ve always been this sporty type of girl, so I definitely want to work with brands like Nike, Adidas or brands that are athletic especially because they have size-inclusive clothing now. There was a time where they didn’t have Nike sportswear in women plus size nor Adidas so if I wanted to wear any of these brands, I would have to get men sizes. So, my goal right now is to find an agency that Best fits my goals on what I want to accomplish in the modeling career.

Being introduced to an inclusive plus-size community has helped you become confident and fearless over the last three years. Can you elaborate on the importance of community support in your journey, and how has it shaped your perception of the modeling industry?

I feel being a part of this inclusive plus community has helped me a great deal, loving myself, loving my body, loving the way God created me. Being plus size has always been looked at as being negative and bad but I’ve met some beautiful people with beautiful hearts and minds that are so creative that are full of love, compassion and has embraced the size that they’re in. I am a proud advocate for body positivity and celebrating my size.

Given your experience and background, how do you envision contributing to the representation of plus-size models in the fashion industry?

Because my background is still working with children once I get an establish, I definitely want to have modeling class for youth. I feel like self-esteem issues start from young and I was unfortunate not to have that growing up but I did have a family that showed me love no matter what my size was, I would love to start my own foundation thats for kids of all shapes, sizes, and background, and advocate for companies make extended sizes for kids clothes.

Are there specific messages or values you aim to convey through your work and presence in the modeling world?

The message that I would love to project is that all sizes matter, and being plus size doesn’t mean that we’re less than, I would like clothing companies to expand their sizes. I would like these designs to know that is OK to have a 18+ model on the cover of fashion magazines and walk to runways. I believe our style and charisma is unmatched when it comes to our curves.

Photography by

Farrior Art (Farrior.art Instagram)

Sean Robinson Photography (LI, NY)

Fearless Curves Magazine

Ra Gibbs

Fashion is in her blood and she's all about style