Padma Lakshmi she is proud of her curves. The former “Top Chef” host, 53, launched an underwear collection with Bare Necessities on Thursday and spoke to Page Six about embracing her changing body and posing in the underwear for the collection’s campaign .

“Except for when I was pregnant and nursing, I stayed the same size from my freshman year of college until about four years ago,” recalls Lakshmi, who started her career as a model.

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“A few years ago, I started going into perimenopause and my hormones changed and my breasts got bigger. I couldn’t fit in the bras I had and I had collected some really nice bras!”she says smiling.

Padma Lakshmi

So the sensational Padma Lakshmi – remembered from her ‘Sports Illustrated’ photo shoot – decided to create her own line of underwear that includes all sizes.

“I love underwear, but I also like to be comfortable. I found that as my breasts grew, there were fewer things available to me that I felt were both beautiful and comfortable.” points out.

Padma Lakshmi

Despite the fact that she is not as thin as she was when she was “plowing” the catwalks, Lakshmi emphasizes that she is much happier today. “All those years of “Top Chef” had their price”he says, smiling.

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And he adds: “I have more confidence now. I love my body and I love my self-image.”

Padma Lakshmi