By Laura Cipullo, Whole Nutrition Services Team
Fighting Fashion Industry Standards
As you know, I’m all about Health at Every Size. But I also understand that so many of us find it hard to embrace this philosophy because of the strict dictates of the fashion industry. “Regular-sized” models that we see in so many ads and magazines are super skinny, and most clothing stores seem to only be able to count to 12 or 14 (size 12 or 14, that is). As a result, we’re convinced (so very wrongly) that we need to be a certain size to be healthy, attractive, and happy. And if it’s hard for us to live up to this standard, imagine how it is for the models themselves. In 2006 alone, five died from eating disorders.
How Charli Howard Is Modelling Body Positive Fashion
Clearly, something has to change, and model Charli Howard is the one leading the battle, after her modeling agency let her know, in no uncertain terms, that she was too large for the fashion world. Instead of walking away from the industry entirely (and who would blame her?) or going on a starvation diet to get work again, she decided to let the world know all about her experience in an amazing Facebook post. (Before you click, please note that this post contains some vulgar language.)
“I refuse to feel ashamed and upset on a daily basis for not meeting your ridiculous, unobtainable beauty standards, whilst you sit at a desk all day, shovelling cakes and biscuits down your throats and slagging me and my friends off about our appearance. The more you force us to lose weight and be small, the more designers have to make clothes to fit our sizes, and the more young girls are being made ill. It’s no longer an image I choose to represent.”
I strongly encourage you to participate in this campaign. And always know that here, at Laura Cipullo Whole Nutrition Services, you will always be more than just a number.
