Body Positive Models: Empowering Women of All Sizes
For too long, the industry has perpetuated unrealistic beauty standards and excluded those who don’t fit a narrow mold. But things are finally starting to change.
In recent years, body-positive models have challenged the status quo and paved the way for a more inclusive future. These models come in all shapes, sizes, and backgrounds, and they are using their platforms to spread messages of self-love, acceptance, and diversity.
Countless body-positive models, from Ashley Graham and Tess Holliday to Precious Lee and Jordyn Woods, will inspire you.
Whether you’re a model, a fashion enthusiast, or simply someone who believes in the power of representation, this article is for you.
Body Positive Models
What are Body Positive Models?
As someone who has worked as a body-positive model, I strive to promote self-love, acceptance, and inclusivity. Body-positive models come in all shapes, sizes, and colors, aiming to showcase the beauty of diversity in the fashion industry.
They reject the idea that there is only one “ideal” body type and instead celebrate all bodies. Body-positive models use their platforms to inspire others to embrace their bodies and feel confident in their skin.
Everyone deserves to feel beautiful and worthy, regardless of size or appearance.
Famous Body-Positive Models
Many famous body-positive models have made a significant impact on the industry. Some of the most well-known include:
Ashley Graham
Ashley Graham has broken down barriers in the fashion industry. She is a true trailblazer and has advocated body positivity for many years.
She has graced the covers of many magazines and has walked in numerous fashion shows, showing the world that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes.
Jordyn Woods
Jordyn Woods is passionate about promoting body positivity and self-love. She has spoken openly about her struggles with body image and encourages her followers to embrace their imperfections and celebrate their unique beauty.
She has also used her platform to speak out against body shaming and other forms of discrimination.
Precious Lee
Precious Lee is breaking barriers in the fashion industry. She was the first Black plus-size model to appear in Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Issue and has since worked with numerous high-profile brands.
She is a fierce advocate for body positivity and representation and uses her platform to empower women of all shapes and sizes.
Hunter McGrady
Hunter McGrady is on a mission to change the fashion industry. She has spoken out against the pressure to be thin and has worked tirelessly to promote body positivity and inclusivity.
She has appeared in many magazines and fashion campaigns and has used her platform to inspire women worldwide to love themselves just as they are.
Stephanie Yeboah
Stephanie Yeboah is a British-Ghanaian plus-size model, author, and activist who advocates for body positivity, inclusivity, and diversity.
She shares her experiences with body image struggles and encourages others to celebrate their bodies.
Iskra Lawrence
Iskra Lawrence is a model, influencer, and body positivity advocate who has been vocal about her struggles with body image and eating disorders.
She encourages others to embrace their bodies and promotes self-love and body acceptance through her platform.
Tips on How to Become a Body-Positive Model
If you’re interested in becoming a body-positive model, congratulations! It takes courage and determination to challenge society’s narrow beauty standards and pave the way for a more inclusive and diverse industry.
| Be open to opportunities | Description |
|---|---|
| Focus on self-love and acceptance | Embrace your body for what it is and focus on self-care and self-acceptance. This will help you develop confidence and a positive attitude toward yourself. |
| Tips on How to Become a Body-Positive Model | Develop a unique brand that showcases your personality, style, and values. This can help you stand out and attract brands that align with your values. |
| Work on developing a unique brand. | Social media can be a powerful tool for self-promotion and connecting with brands. Create a consistent and authentic social media presence that showcases your personality, style, and body positivity message. |
| Network with industry professionals | Attend industry events, and connect with other models, photographers, and influencers in the body positivity community. This can help you build relationships and gain exposure to new opportunities. |
| Embrace diversity and inclusivity. | Consider various modeling opportunities, including plus-size, fitness, and fashion. This can help you gain experience and exposure in different areas of the industry. |
| Continuously educate yourself | Stay up-to-date on the latest industry trends, news, and best practices. Attend workshops, read books, and follow industry leaders to improve your skills and knowledge continuously. |
| Embrace diversity and inclusivity | Body positivity is all about celebrating diversity and inclusivity. Embrace this message in your work and personal life, and advocate for representation and inclusivity in the modeling industry. |
These tips can help aspiring models develop a positive and empowering approach to their modeling careers and build a strong personal brand that celebrates body positivity and inclusivity.
Remember that becoming a body-positive model takes more than having a certain body type. It requires self-acceptance, positivity, and a commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion.
Body-Positive Models in Social Media
The Role of Body-Positive Influencers
As a fashion enthusiast, I’ve seen firsthand the impact social media influencers can have on promoting body positivity.
Influencers can shape how people think about their bodies and encourage them to love themselves just as they are.
One of the key ways that body-positive influencers promote self-love is by sharing their own stories and struggles with body image.
Being open and honest about their experiences helps break down the unrealistic beauty standards that the media have perpetuated for far too long.
Another important role that body-positive influencers play is in promoting diversity and inclusivity in the fashion industry.
By featuring models of all shapes, sizes, and backgrounds, they help to show that beauty comes in many forms.
This can be especially empowering for young people who may have grown up feeling like they didn’t fit in because of their body type or skin color.
The Power of Body-Positive Hashtags
In addition to the influence of individual influencers, hashtags have also played a powerful role in promoting body positivity on social media.
Hashtags like #bodypositivity, #effyourbeautystandards, and #selflove have helped create a community dedicated to embracing their bodies and supporting others on the same journey.
One of the most powerful things about these hashtags is that they allow people to connect with others who are going through similar experiences.
By sharing their own stories and struggles, people can find support and encouragement from others who understand what they’re going through.
Another benefit of body-positive hashtags is that they help create visibility for people traditionally underrepresented in the media.
By sharing images and stories of people of all shapes, sizes, and backgrounds, these hashtags help break down the narrow beauty standards perpetuated for far too long.
Wrapping Up
As someone who values inclusivity and positivity, I strongly believe in the importance of body-positive modeling. It’s about time the fashion and beauty industries started representing women of all sizes and shapes.
By embracing diversity, we can empower women to feel confident and beautiful, regardless of their body type.
It’s inspiring to see the rise of body-positive models who are breaking stereotypes and showing that beauty comes in all forms.
They lead the way toward a more inclusive and accepting society where all women feel valued and respected.
But we still have a long way to go. We must continue pushing for change and encouraging brands to embrace diversity and inclusivity in their advertising and marketing efforts.
Resources
Studies:
- “The relationship between media exposure and antifat attitudes: The role of dysfunctional appearance beliefs”: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/222363397_The_relationship_between_media_exposure_and_antifat_attitudes_The_role_of_dysfunctional_appearance_beliefs
- “The Role of Social Comparison in the Effect of Magazine Advertisements on Women’s Mood and Body Dissatisfaction”: https://guilfordjournals.com/doi/10.1521/jscp.23.1.23.26991
Organizations:
- The Body Positive: https://thebodypositive.org/
- Association for Size Diversity and Health: https://www.sizediversityandhealth.org/
Books:
- “Body Positive Power: How to Stop Dieting, Make Peace with Your Body and Live” by Megan Jayne Crabbe
- “The Beauty Myth: How Images of Beauty are Used Against Women” by Naomi Wolf
Websites:
- Plus Model Magazine: https://www.plus-model-mag.com/
- Body Kindness: https://www.bodykindnessbook.com/
Video References
Ashley Graham
Jordyn Woods
Ojitoverde
QVC Originals
frank body
iskra
