Friends Challenge Body Stereotypes

2024 has ushered in a continued wave of body positivity, challenging conventional beauty norms. But what exactly is body positivity? Céline Leboeuf, a philosophy scholar, defines it as a “movement to accept our bodies, regardless of size, shape, skin tone, gender, and physical abilities.”

Enter the dynamic duo, Dominican model Denise Mercedes and designer Maria Castellanos, champions of the ongoing “Style Not Size” campaign. The essence of their movement lies in demonstrating that there is no singular “ideal” body type. They elegantly pose wearing the same outfits, celebrating their distinct body shapes.

In a chat with Bored Panda, Maria Castellanos sheds light on the project’s endurance and future aspirations. The “Style Not Size” initiative, she says, has become more than just a personal endeavor. It has become a platform for women and men feeling excluded by the fashion industry, challenging the norms set by renowned brands.

The success of “Style Not Size” allows for further exploration. Maria expresses pride in how the movement has taken a life of its own through others, ensuring its sustained strength. The hashtag, once a trend, has evolved into a movement and lifestyle, allowing the creators to contribute organically to the body positivity narrative.

Looking ahead, Maria envisions continued growth for both their individual communities and the “Style Not Size” movement. The project serves as a meaningful branch of their creative identity, allowing them to have a lasting impact on the body positivity movement.

To delve deeper into the essence of body positivity, we spoke to Mallorie Dunn, founder of SmartGlamour, an inclusive fashion designer and a professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology. Dunn emphasizes that body positivity, originating from fat liberation, is often misconstrued. It is not just about feeling positive about one’s body; it’s a radical movement advocating for the equal worthiness of all bodies, irrespective of size, shape, or appearance.

Dunn distinguishes body positivity from self-love, clarifying that the former is an activist movement rooted in political and social equity. She urges society to stop conflating the two and emphasizes the importance of dismantling fatphobia for the well-being of plus-size individuals.

In essence, the “Style Not Size” campaign and the broader body positivity movement challenge societal norms, promoting inclusivity, respect, and equity for all body types. As we navigate 2024, these voices continue to reshape the narrative around beauty and acceptance.

_{Repurposed article originally published in Boredpanda.com}