"I love my body and I won’t change it to fit what’s available in stores."
Elle India’s plus sized model photoshoot in its February issue is a wonderful way to slam body shaming.
It features six plus sized Indian women, beautifully dressed in clothes that compliment their figures.
From a fashion consultant to an actor, they are seen as embracing their body shapes and being comfortable in their own skin.
25-year-old fashion and lifestyle blogger Gia Kashyap, says: “I recently posted a picture of a pizza and a girl commented, ‘You should go to the gym’.
“Now I’m immune to such comments. It doesn’t make me feel ugly, in fact it’s pushed me to a stage where I appreciate myself more.”
26-year-old stylist and fashion consultant, Srishti Kumar, also shares her story of being a plus sized girl:
“I don’t dress for shock value, but I enjoy dressing in clothes that aren’t conventionally meant for my body type.
“I love my body and I won’t change it to fit what’s available in stores.”
34-year-old digital entrepreneur Zahra Khan adds:
“Why aren’t we defined by what we do? You won’t define a business magnate like Mukesh Ambani as short and fat. I don’t see curvy men having a movement.”
Other power girls featured include 32-year-old hospitality consultant, Tinka Bhatia, 27-year-old make-up artist Kritika Gill, and 30-year-old actor Shikha Talsania.
Together, they are here to challenge the norm of being thin and help shatter stereotypical perceptions of women in modelling.
These ladies are no doubt inspirational for many women who are conscious about their bodies.
The photoshoot has received very positive reception on social media, with many praising the fashion magazine’s celebrating differences:
Elle India did a #photoshoot with plus size models. https://t.co/1aSD3oFk7T Kudos to @ELLEINDIA. Finally the perception is #changing. #cool
— rupalichandna (@rupalichandna) February 10, 2016
Recently in India, there has been many incidents of body shaming, with videos and photos dedicating a heavy focus on the ‘perfect’ body and being ‘thin’.
It is encouraging to see Elle India taking steps to change people’s perception of the ideals of beauty, inviting women of all shapes and sizes to love themselves and their bodies.
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