At The Curvy Fashionista, the Curvy Boss Spotlight exists to do what the industry still struggles to do consistently: center plus size professionals whose work deserves recognition, from stylists and educators to executives, founders, and creatives shaping their fields. This series celebrates the flavor, creativity, leadership, and impact thriving across the plus size community, without comparison, without hierarchy, and without apology.
Following last week’s Curvy Boss Spotlight, which reminded us just how powerful it is to see plus size professionals fully owning their expertise and influence, we’re back with a story that expands what artistry, confidence, and cultural disruption can look like.
Enter Duchess Ravenwves.
Known offstage as Karen-Irene Serna-Jansson, Duchess Ravenwves is an entertainer, writer, and Indigenous Piipaash (Maricopa) woman from the Gila River Indian Community whose work lives at the intersection of music, body liberation, sexuality, and political truth-telling. Her artistry is bold. Her presence is confrontational in the best way. And her refusal to shrink, creatively or physically, is exactly why she belongs in this spotlight.
From the Reservation to Reinvention: The Making of Duchess Ravenwves
Music was always part of Karen-Irene’s life. She grew up singing, studied music early on, then pivoted toward political science, earning a degree in American Indian Studies and Public Policy Administration. Her path took her from Arizona to Washington, D.C., and eventually to Gävle, Sweden.
But it was her body that ultimately redirected her purpose.
After stepping away from work, Karen-Irene was hit with a debilitating back condition that required two spinal fusion surgeries, a life-altering experience that forced her to slow down, sit with herself, and reimagine what survival could look like.
“After taking a hiatus from work, I was struck with a debilitating back condition that required two spinal fusion surgeries. In my recovery, I turned to music.”
What followed wasn’t just a creative outlet, it was a spiritual awakening.
“All my life I had the dream of creating music but never had the ability, means, or connections to do so. In a strange twist, I think something spiritual happened to me that opened a window in my mind that gave me the gift to compose music.”
That window became Duchess Ravenwves; an alter ego powerful enough to hold everything Karen-Irene had been told not to be.
Creating Without Rules, Genres, or Permission
Ask Duchess Ravenwves about her creative process and she’ll tell you there is none, at least not a rigid one.
“When it comes to music, I never know when lightning will strike. I hear a beat and suddenly I start composing, free singing melodies or freestyling lyrics.”
Her catalog moves fluidly between rap, R&B, metal, synthwave, and electronic music. Nothing is off-limits. Nothing is pre-approved.
“I never pre-select the subjects of my songs intentionally. It’s a mystery where my mind will take me.”
In just three years, Duchess Ravenwves has built a library as eclectic as her fashion sense and just as fearless.
Visibility, Margins, and the Choice to Be Seen Anyway
Being an independent artist is hard. Being an independent artist who is Indigenous and plus size adds layers most people never have to consider.
“I come from two majorly marginalized communities, Indigenous and plus size. Our existence, plight, and art are often underrepresented in the entertainment business.”
Operating through her husband Gustav Jansson’s independent label, resources are limited. Publicity budgets are small. Everything is earned through persistence and intention.
“It is a labor of love. I try to stay true to my main objective, which is to inspire, provoke, entertain, and represent a new niche of rap and trap music.”
That niche has a name: Indigenous Goth Trap Queen.
And Duchess Ravenwves wears that crown unapologetically.
“I Am Fat, Sexy, Smart, and Confident.”
Sex, fantasy, lust, power, and body positivity are not side themes in Duchess Ravenwves’ music, they are central.
“As a plus size woman, I feel we are so often overlooked as sexual, confident powerhouses.”
Her lyrics don’t ask for acceptance. They demand respect.
“Claiming ownership of the word ‘fat’ is a way in which I stand up to body shamers. I am fat, sexy, smart, and confident and I don’t have time worrying about negativity.”
Her track “The Baddest Fat Girl” is more than a song; it’s a plus size anthem rooted in reclamation and defiance.
“Because so often mainstream society associates beauty with size, my music attempts to shatter those norms with in-your-face bad bitch anthems.”
This isn’t body positivity made palatable. This is liberation with teeth.
Confidence as Inner Peace, Not Performance
For Duchess Ravenwves, confidence isn’t performative, it’s internal.
“Confidence is about inner peace. It’s about silencing the negative voices inside and learning to accept everything about yourself.”
Growing up “weird, chubby, and goth” on the reservation was not easy. Mental health awareness and therapy became essential tools.
“Through therapy I gained the tools to navigate my emotions and reclaim space in my mind and heart to focus on loving me.”
Her boundary-setting mantra is clear:
“You don’t like how I look? Then don’t look at me.”
Style, Shapewear, and Hyper-Femininity
When it comes to style, Duchess Ravenwves embraces structure and softness with intention.
“I truly believe in the magic shapewear can bring to any outfit. A good undergarment elevates your clothes.”
She favors dresses, rarely wears pants, and leans fully into hyper-femininity.
“I encourage the plus size community to embrace showing some skin and daring to wear whatever they want.”
Fashion, for her, is not about hiding, it’s about honoring.
What’s Next for Duchess Ravenwves?
The next chapter is bold, political, and deeply rooted in Indigenous truth.
Third EP: Vee Estrellas (November 2025)
“It is a highly political EP that brings forth my perspectives and tribal history in America. It is brutally honest but essential.”
Memoir: Desert Moon
A blend of personal narrative, tribal history, and folklore.
“It’s my dream to send my book to Oprah.”
Dreams stay big over here.
Her Advice? Have the Nerve.
When asked what she would tell someone stepping boldly into their passion, Duchess Ravenwves doesn’t sugarcoat it.
“It takes nerve. Have the nerve to do what the f*ck you want. The world is brutal, focus on those who love you and less on the haters.”
And honestly? That might be the most Curvy Boss answer of all.
Want to Be Featured on The Curvy Fashionista?
The Curvy Boss Spotlight is dedicated to celebrating plus size professionals who are building careers, businesses, and legacies across industries: creatives, founders, executives, educators, and leaders shaping their fields.
If you are a plus size professional, or know someone whose work deserves visibility, we want to hear from you.
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And if you are a plus size model or plus size influencer/ creator, we see you too. We spotlight models and creators through separate editorial series designed specifically for those paths.
Models and influencers can explore feature opportunities here:
Plus Model Spotlight Series
Plus Influencer Series
Because no matter the lane, representation matters and there is room for all of us to be seen.
