Oregon State students winning their way into lingerie fashion

Two Oregon State University women have made it to the top-30 for Star in a Bra, a national D-cup model search by lingerie company Curvy Kate, and are now hopefuls for the top-10.

Tiffany Schmidt, an OSU and Linn Benton Community College senior in pre-nursing, and Danielle White, an OSU forestry alumna, are the only finalists representing the Pacific Northwest in the competition.

“It was a crazy series of events,” Schmidt said referring to finding out via email that she and White are top-30 finalists. “I was really surprised.”

Schmidt and White were informed their submissions made the top-30 last week. It is unknown how many submissions there were for the U.S. competition, but according to White, there were too many to count.

Voting for the top-30 in the U.S.A. competition ends May 24. To determine the top-10, voters can select three finalists by liking the “Star in a Bra” application on the Curvy Kate U.S.A. Facebook page. Once the top-10 are announced, voters get one vote.

“The only hesitation I had was, ‘What will my mother think?’” Schmidt said, due to the fact that contestants submit photos posing in lingerie. “I called her, and since she is the same body type I am, she was 100 percent supportive.”

Contestants who make the top-10 will be flown to a photo shoot in New York City. The winner for U.S.A. Star in a Bra will receive $900 worth of Curvy Kate products and a yearlong contract working with the company, Schmidt said.

Curvy Kate first launched in the United Kingdom in 2009 as a collection of plus-sized lingerie and swimwear and later became available in North America. Star in a Bra is an annual effort to find top models from the UK, and this year is the first time the competition has been brought to the U.S.

The company strives to promote positive body image by featuring curvy women as models — a concept that encouraged Schmidt and White to compete.

“I’ve never had issues with Victoria’s Secret, but I feel the image they promote is not what I am,” Schmidt said. “This company is saying, ‘No matter what your body type is, you’re beautiful.’”

White said the UK-based brand does a good job of catering to bigger cup sizes while maintaining a youthful appearance.

“It’s something to stand up for other people in similar situations as myself,” White said. “For me, the company’s belief is that you should embrace your body, and it doesn’t matter how old you are, I really appreciate that.”

Joce DeWitt, senior reporter
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On Twitter: @Joce_DeWitt