XL’s Featured Tribesmen Of The Week Tavares Teel

In this XL’s Featured Tribesmen Of The Week Tavares Teel we chatted about finding clothes for his style as well as his futures goals and more.

1.What are some of your biggest fashion obstacles? 
Some of my biggest fashion obstacles are finding things that fit my size but also fit my style. I’ve come to realize that my  eccentric and radiant style makes it harder to find outfits  that match me and who I am, as a plus size male model. I’ve had plenty of moments where I see something on the rack at a department store but as I look through I can’t find my size. No matter what store I go to it seems I’m always hit with the famous line “if it’s not in the store we can order it for you”. 

2. Where are you from and how do you describe your style?
 I am from Houston Tx, born and raised!  I would describe my style as daring. I’ve never been known to be put in a capsule of what society says is right.  I’ve always thought outside the box when it comes to my  fashion and who I am as a person. I take pride in being someone who has “swagger integrity” which to me means that no matter if someone’s looking or not you always find me looking stylish and debonair. “Swagger integrity” was a concept that I made up within myself. When I first started modeling, people thought that I did it just for the camera so I had to create a phrase or concept  that embodied the idea that this is an every day confidence, not just in front of the camera. #IdoThis 

3. Tell us about your biggest fashion nightmare and if it came true do explain. (attach a picture if you can) 
I can honestly say I haven’t really had a fashion nightmare but if I did it would be being apart of a fashion show or something of the sort that I thought represented one thing but found out later or right before the show that it went against what I believe in morally. I pray this would never happen,  because it would be a battle between my reputation and my moral compass,  as in do I stay and do something I know will not sit well with me after, or leave and not do the show!!

4.Have any of your 2019 goals come true? 
2019 has been a great year for who I am as a model.  I set  many goals for myself this year including networking ,collaborating, and pushing boundaries a bit further. I told myself at the beginning of 2019 from here on out  I would master my time in every aspect by motivating myself and others. This year I have had the opportunity to collaborate with models of all shapes, sizes , and  from all over the world places such as Africa, South America and many more places foreign and domestic! The ability to collaborate with other models has helped me gain a further perspective. So to say that I have achieved my 2019 goals would be an understatement because I’ve honestly surpassed them! 

5. Where do you see yourself in five years and how do you see yourself accomplishing it? 
In 5 years I see myself being on both sides of the camera as a model and photographer. I see myself having a photography studio where I would have my own little place of peace and comfort, a place where people can come and be influenced no matter their size. I plan on continuing mentoring others to love themselves, be great,  and be who they are no matter what. I also see myself being a published model on some of the main stream and bigger fashion brands.

6. How long have you been on the journey of being a Big & Tall man? What’s the biggest misconception you hear about Big & Tall Guys? 
Being on this journey of becoming a plus-size male model has definitely been a bumpy road, needless to say, there have been up and down moments. Rather it be nay sayers or skeptics who never thought I’d become who I am today. I have prospered and pushed through the adversity and I’m proud to say that I’ve been on this journey of greatness for four years now. I think the biggest misconception in the plus–size male model world is that we are to be taken lightly.  I think most people consider being plus size to be a season or a fad that’s going to eventually fade away but that’s not the case because there are pioneers such as myself and many others who vowed to make a imprint in the fashion world no matter the limitations on size . What I hear all the time is how some people take plus size male fashion as a joke or game just because society has put what they feel is a “suitable marker” or ending point on what’s “in” or fashionable. 

7.If you could swap styles with one celebrity who would it be and why? 
If I could switch styles with any celebrity it would be with Winston Duke. I feel like his style is simplistic but not simplistic as in boring or bland but simplistic as in leave the mind wanting more. The swagger he exudes doesn’t  scream “look at me”but you just can’t help but to stare in awe as he struts and basks In his own greatness with no worry or care.

Instagram : @_teddynamedteel_