Curvy Model | Entrepreneur | Founder of Curated Moments by Chitra |
Chitra Soerdjbalie is a Dutch-Indian model and entrepreneur who refuses to fit into moulds. As a curvy model, she has walked international runways including Emirates Fashion Week, where she helped make history as the first plus-size designer showcase. Off the runway, she runs Curated Moments by Chitra, an event curation brand. Everything she builds is guided by one mission: empowering women to take up space exactly as they are.
Confidence is not something you wait for. It is something you build by showing up.
Growing up with Indian and Dutch roots, how has your cultural background shaped your identity and the way you move through fashion today?
Growing up between two cultures has given me a unique perspective on identity and beauty. Rather than choosing one over the other, I have learned to embrace both, and that balance has become a significant part of who I am. My Indian heritage has given me an appreciation for colour, elegance, and femininity, whilst my Dutch side has taught me independence and authenticity. In an industry that places people into categories, I have learned that my uniqueness is my strength. Today, I proudly represent both sides of my heritage and hope to inspire others to embrace every part of who they are.
Was there a defining moment when you truly began embracing yourself unapologetically?
Walking the runway with House of Solana during Milan Fashion Week in September 2022 was that moment for me. Until then, I had questioned whether there was truly a place for someone like me in fashion. Walking that runway changed something in me. For the first time, I saw what was possible when I stopped focusing on limitations and started embracing my strengths. It was no longer about fitting into a mould. It was about owning my presence and recognising the value I bring exactly as I am.
You walked at Emirates Fashion Week for House of Solana, marking an important moment for plus-size representation. What did that experience mean to you?
Walking at Emirates Fashion Week was an incredibly meaningful milestone. House of Solana became the first plus-size designer to showcase at the event, and being part of that moment felt bigger than myself. It was a reminder that representation matters and that fashion should be accessible to everyone, regardless of size. Professionally, it reinforced my belief that there is a place for curvy models on international runways. Personally, it was a proud moment because it showed how far I have come in my own journey of confidence and self-acceptance.
As a curvy model, what conversations do you hope your presence helps create within the fashion industry?
I hope my presence encourages conversations about representation, authenticity, and opportunity. Inclusivity should not be a trend. It should be the standard. Fashion is for everyone, and people deserve to see themselves reflected in campaigns and on runways. I want to help shift the conversation away from simply accepting diversity and towards genuinely celebrating it. My goal is not to be seen as a curvy model who happens to be on a runway. My goal is to be recognised as a model who brings professionalism, presence, and value to a brand, regardless of size.
How would you personally define modern beauty today?
To me, modern beauty is authenticity. It is no longer about fitting into one specific mould or striving for perfection. Beauty today is about confidence, individuality, and self-expression. The most beautiful people are often those who are comfortable in their own skin and unapologetic about who they are. Modern beauty celebrates differences rather than hiding them. It allows women to define beauty on their own terms, and I believe that is incredibly empowering.
You are also the founder of Curated Moments by Chitra. What inspired you to create the brand?
Curated Moments by Chitra was born from my passion for creating meaningful experiences. Throughout my career, I have always been drawn to beautiful details, storytelling, and bringing people together. Event planning felt like a natural extension of those passions. My goal is to create events that feel personal, effortless, and memorable. I want people to feel seen, cared for, and able to fully enjoy the experience without stress. Ultimately, I want clients to walk away with lasting memories and the feeling that every detail was thoughtfully curated just for them.
Both fashion and event curation rely on storytelling. How do creativity and aesthetics connect these two worlds for you?
Both worlds are rooted in storytelling. Fashion tells a story through clothing and movement, whilst events tell a story through experiences and atmosphere. Creativity and aesthetics are the threads that connect them. Whether I am on a runway or planning an event, I think about how people will feel, what they will remember, and how every detail contributes to the overall experience. In both, I have the opportunity to create moments that leave a lasting impression, and that is what excites me most.
Building a career as both a model and entrepreneur requires balance. What have been your biggest lessons?
One of the biggest lessons is the importance of patience and consistency. Success rarely happens overnight, and both industries require resilience, adaptability, and a willingness to keep showing up even when progress feels slow. I have also learned the value of building genuine relationships and staying true to my vision. Trends come and go, but authenticity lasts. Whether I am working with a client or a brand, I believe trust, professionalism, and reliability are just as important as talent.
What message do you hope women take away when they discover your journey online?
I hope women see that they do not have to wait for permission to pursue their dreams. Too often, people believe they need to fit a certain mould before they can start. My journey is proof that confidence grows through action, not before it. I want women to understand that they can be ambitious, feminine, successful, and authentic all at the same time. If my story encourages even one woman to take up space and believe in herself, then I consider that a success.
What dreams and milestones are you manifesting for your next chapter?
I am focused on continuing to grow internationally as both a model and entrepreneur. I would love to collaborate with fashion, beauty, lifestyle, and luxury hospitality brands that value authenticity and meaningful storytelling. The UAE remains a particularly exciting market for me. Through my experiences there, I have had the pleasure of working with wonderful clients and creatives, and I have found the region to be incredibly forward-thinking and open to new opportunities. Expanding my presence and building long-term collaborations within the UAE is very much in my sights.
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