Kandi Floss, one of the best known names in the modern pin-up scene, has changed her body and her life through self-love and body positivity. Known primarily by her stage name, she has harnessed her experiences of adversity into a message that resonates with many. Floss’s journey serves as an empowering testament to embracing one’s body, regardless of age, size, or shape.
Her struggles started in the 1990s as she was bullied for being overweight throughout her school years. Not surprisingly, these experiences had an effect on her self-image. It was after becoming a mom that her journey would take a big turn. After giving birth to three children within three years, Floss achieved a remarkable transformation, losing 30 kilograms through strength training. Physical transformation, this journey taught him, goes hand in hand with empowerment and developing a sense of self-worth.
In what she calls her own miracle, Floss gave birth to her fourth child, Maya, adding to her family’s vibrancy. Instead of undergoing the planned surgery for a tummy tuck, she found herself gaining weight — a struggle she faced with incredible strength. By being completely committed to her nutrition and workouts, she lost a staggering 74 kilo. The accomplishment gave her confidence, and she deepened her dedication to body positivity.
A Message of Celebration
As a result of her pin-up work and lifestyle, Kandi Floss now proudly owns more than 50 modern pin-up outfits. She wears them to adorn her body and encourage others to love their bodies too! Her philosophy is all about wearing what you want to wear, no matter your size, and encouraging women to feel confident in their own skin and personal style.
“Don’t wait for tomorrow to shine. Be yourself.” – Kandi Floss
Floss wants you to know that her success story is not just about floss, it’s about serving others. She wants every woman to feel sexy, beautiful and confident in their skin regardless of societal norms.
In her own words, Floss reflects on the importance of self-acceptance and the transformative power of fashion:
“It’s nice to be able to feel that from dressing a certain way.” – Kandi Floss
Her dedication doesn’t stop with her—from her own heart, she seeks to guide those new to the pin-up life. Floss hopes to inspire women of all ages and sizes to embrace their uniqueness and find joy in their appearance.
Overcoming Adversity
Floss’s battle with body image issues started just as early. Having been diagnosed with severe endometriosis at the age of 16, she had been told she would likely never bear children. Contrary to all those expectations, she became a single mother of three children in quick succession.
“So when I had three in three years, I felt very blessed,” – Dale Mac Millan
She frequently thinks about how her past trepidations grew into a fear of spaces that celebrated beauty. Floss remembers a time when she would “sneak around in hoodies and jeans” to avoid being caught feeling inadequate in front of people.
It’s this past experience that drives her passion to inspire and empower others. She remains resolute in her plan to continue to shatter glass ceilings. Her mission is to inspire a sisterhood of women who help each other on their journeys toward self-love.
Embracing the Beach
The most important turning point in Floss’s journey happened when she chose to work on her fear of flying. After years of avoiding public beaches, she bought a bikini and sarong, telling her family,
“Let’s go to the beach.” – Kandi Floss
This decision fueled her independence and became a great artistic leap for her—a moment of empowerment that expressed her maturity and blossoming self-assertiveness.
Floss’s journey is representative of the experience that most women face as they try to overcome a negative self-image. Her personal story is a hopeful reminder that great change can happen with grit, courage, and valuable support from family and friends. Many women resonate with her message that no matter one’s past struggles or current size, everyone can find beauty within themselves.
Dale Mac Millan, a fellow advocate for body positivity in the pin-up community, elaborates on the growth experienced through this journey.
“We call it a journey because once you start doing pin-up, you grow as a person as your confidence grows.” – Dale Mac Millan
