Influencer: Big Men Edition -Buki
Buki's innovative approach to plus-size male modeling has altered the game by fusing the realms of art and inspiration.
View the interview below to learn more!
It was always an idea to mode and show others that a fat body is an art too when I was around 23 but I never knew what to do or how I could start, so I always moved it to the side because I was unsure of myself if it was even possible. It was back in October 2017 I was with a friend of mine in LA, and we visited a vaping company (@officialVGod) that wanted to collaborate with his clothing brand (@totem_skin). During our conversation, one of the owners asked if we wanted to do a photo-shoot on the spot. It was all of sudden and I had never done a shoot before. So I just put my A game face on and modeled for my first shoot. The shots came out great and I told myself that this was the beginning of my modeling and that’s when I officially started.
I never really had people that inspired me growing up. I would say my inspiration comes from video games, anime, manga, comics, etc. I always wanted to create when I was a kid, so when I discovered modeling and cosplaying, that’s what motivated me into modeling and creating this style of mixing fashion and cosplay together. Although, I will say that Chaoko, a Cosplayer based in Spain and Sky McLaughlin are big inspirations that I discovered since I started modeling. A huge fan of their work. The confidence they have and owning what they do, regardless of what people say, is beautiful and inspiring.
It was always an idea to mode and show others that a fat body is art too when I was around 23 but I never knew what to do or how I could start, so I always moved it to the side because I was unsure of myself if it was even possible. It was back in October 2017 I was with a friend of mine in LA, and we visited a vaping company (@officialVGod) that wanted to collaborate with his clothing brand (@totem_skin). During our conversation one of the owners asked if we wanted to do a photo-shoot on the spot. It was all of sudden and I had never done a shoot before. So I just put my A game face on and modeled for my first shoot. The shots came out great and I told myself that this was the beginning of me modeling and that’s when I officially started.
I think my size plays more of a role than my race. Being a plus sized model here in Miami I can say it’s been a struggle for the most part. I think as a creative within the community here I’m known for my uniqueness and style. But business wise I still think I need to bring something more to the table that’ll make people want to work with me. Miami models you think of beach bodies and fitness. So for a fat guy like me, it’s not likely to see a model like myself. So I push hard to get myself known. I love a good challenge.
I feel as if it’s just starting to embrace it. There are a lot of things that I feel the modeling world still needs to embrace. For what I’ve seen, plus size men are just men over 6’0” and have an athletic or husky built. I would love to see a man with an average height and fat in the mainstream industry modeling. To see someone that looks like me and modeling for top brands would be amazing to look at. But hopefully this embracement for plus size models evolves so that more fuller sized bodied models can be looked at as works of art as well.
Growing up, I was never bullied to the extent of hating my body or having major insecurities of myself. Although my parents may have said some pretty hurtful things in the past about my weight I always loved myself for who I am and the size that I am. As a big boy growing up doing sports and martial arts I love how my body has developed and how it looks. Stretch marks and all. I think I’m a beautiful person.
I think this might be the hardest question to answer. Because everyone one of us suffers through different experiences of body insecurities. Even with people my size we all have different traumas of what we’ve gone through when it’s come to our size. I honestly feel like it’s hard to say what advice I could give, but if I could generalize it, I would say to first discover yourself. Find out who you are and own it. Once you’ve found yourself, then it’s up to you to decide what you want to be. If you’re happy with your size, be proud of it, embrace it, love it. If you’re not, you then have choice to decide what you want to do with it. Whatever that is, don’t lose sight in that. Have the will power to push yourself. If you really want it, you’ll push hard to get it. It’s not easy at all. We weren’t born into this life set on easy mode. I have my moments when I don’t feel confident, but for me, I just tell myself that I don’t need anyone’s approval for my size and I keep moving forward. Learn to love yourself and discover who you are. Self love is a process.
When a concept comes to mind, it’s usually on the spot when I’m either playing a video game, listening to music or watching an anime. Whether it’s a certain lyric in the song or a certain character that captivates me, I’m thinking of what I can do for a shoot. It could be something dark and sad, something strong and powerful, or something cool and badass. I have so many ideas once I start. And I hope that everyone enjoys what I’ve delivered.
Honestly I’m an open book. My form of art from what I create, is my way of expressing myself.
Hunab is a clothing brand that I’m currently still working on. Hunab is an ancient Mayan language that means “one”. So my reason for this is because I believe it takes one to create an impact. Trying to do something different and dope for my brand. Might have an indigenous/street influence to it.
Queerports is an LGBTQ+ feature page that my bestfriend (@qnectt) and I started a little while ago. He came up with the idea of creating a feature page for our community because we realized we didn’t have enough to any pages that actually featured LGBTQ+ creatives (photographers, models, muas, videographers, etc.) So I thought of the name Queer Ports and we’ve been posting beautiful shots captured and creating from our brothers and sisters.
Plus Size Model: Buki Gallery
(Model: @buki_the_warrior_ /Photographer: @memok3 /Contacts: @spooky_eyes /Smoke Grenade: @eg_usa / Apparel: @asos)
I love how confident we are in the community. Most of us are confident to wear whatever we want without the approval of others. You can always find someone to give you a confidence boost in yourself because you all understand the hardships of what it’s like to be a bigger guy. I love how loving and supporting we can be.
From what I’ve experienced and seen. I still think that love is the biggest thing we as a community still need to work on. Regardless of our race, size, weight, ethnicity, we all need to come together and love each other. We deal with hate in this world already. We don’t need to bring that hate into our own community as well.
I have actually not gone to any of the events. But I say just go to any big/bear events. Life is all about having experiences, so if there’s event you want to go to, go for it. I’m usually traveling to other places or working for the most part, so I’m always too busy or don’t have much time to go to one
EVERYTHING!! From much chubby cheeks to my thunder thighs haha. But if I had to choose one.... my smile.
His smile. More than anything in the world. If that man has a beautiful smile. I’m sold!
I would love to see myself successful through my modeling and my clothing brand. Hopefully living in England, South Korea, or Japan. Still modeling but also would also have worked on a project where I reach out to people with body insecurities, traveling to there location, and making them feel confident in themselves by having them model for a photoshoot.
I want to see it full of good vibes and positivity. No hate just love
Buki Photo Gallery
(Model: @buki_the_warrior_ /Photographer: @sidneysherman_photo)
(Disclaimer: The owner, BUKI, and the photographers own all of the photographs included in this post.) I've reached out to the owner and received permission to use these images. Please contact BUKI, his crew, or the photographers if you want to use these photographs in your work.
MANY THANKS!)
Special Thanks
I'd want to express my gratitude to Buki for allowing me to interview him about his life and profession. He is both a talented model and a budding entrepreneur. Keep a close check on him. He'll upend the modeling industry.
