As 2018 winds down, we’re reflecting on the many steps taken in the past year in the direction of size inclusivity and body positivity. Luckily, there’s a long list to look to—so we’ve rounded up the moments that made the biggest impact to get ready for even more progress in 2019.
Some of our favorite bloggers are celebrating their 10th anniversaries.
Plus-size fashion bloggers like Marie Denee and Gabi Fresh are celebrating their 10-year anniversaries. These women are among the pioneers of the body-positive movement and paved the way for our community to feel celebrated and empowered to take fashion risks.
Why was this a big deal?
Back in 2008, when Gabi Fresh’s and Marie Denee’s blogging careers began, it was rare to find a woman wearing a size 14 or above on TV, in magazines, or on the internet. Fast forward 10 years and, thankfully, there’s no shortage of women to look to for your daily dose of inspiration. But Gabi Fresh and Marie Denee haven’t stopped there—they’ve leveraged their blogging careers to launch brands and plan community events, all in the name of body positivity.
Tess Holliday graces the cover of Self Magazine.
Self Magazine, the health and wellness periodical, released its first-ever digital cover in June featuring plus-size model and fat-positive activist Tess Holliday. The headline proclaimed, “Tess Holliday’s Health is None of Your Business.”
Why was this a big deal?
For a magazine centered around health, using a cover model who’s an active member of the body-positive community was a bold move. Traditionally, health magazine covers promote physical health through thin and muscular models. Showcasing Tess Holliday shattered the myth that health and weight are intrinsically connected.
Actresses who wear plus sizes are cast as leads on screen.
Netflix released “Dumplin,’”, a new original movie starring a heroine who wears plus sizes, and “Shrill,” starring Aidy Bryant, is up next in March 2019. Also, “Dietland,” which ran for only one season—much to the dismay of its fans—starred Joy Nash, another incredible actress who doesn’t fit into sample sizes.
Why was this a big deal?
Turn on the TV or head to the theaters and you’re likely to see a slender woman, usually white, leading the cast. These recent productions demonstrate that women of size can run the show—and that audiences are in full support of seeing them as romantic leads.
Natasha Rothwell is a “Breakthrough Entertainer” of 2018.
On December 12th, the Associated Press announced that actress and writer Natasha Rothwell was named as one of their breakthrough entertainers for the year. On HBO’s “Insecure,” Natasha Rothwell steals the show as Kelli, a supremely confident woman who’s unabashedly herself. In Netflix’s “Love, Simon,” a movie geared toward teens, she’s memorable as the kids’ teacher.
Why was this a big deal?
The first step is increasing body diversity on the screen—with this announcement, we’re going a step further by celebrating actresses who wear sizes larger than the average Hollywood star. We’re thinking more awards for plus-size actresses are right around the corner.
We’re tackling misconceptions about health and size.
This year, The Huffington Post got the internet buzzing by making a bold statement on the relationship between weight and health.
Why was this a big deal?
For too long, naysayers and concern trolls have hidden behind their own definitions of health to criticize larger women on the internet. This article debunks the myth that a higher weight means a lower level of health, and fights weight bias and discrimination. Plus, the article’s photography allows the subjects to take their stories into their own hands with full creative control—further emphasizing the importance of listening to and celebrating people of all sizes.
Great plus-size fashion is now easier than ever to find.
From high-fashion collaborations like Jason Wu’s Eloquii collection to our #TeeUpChange partnership with the Council of Fashion Designers of America, the industry has made great strides with access to stylish clothes in sizes 14+. There’s progress in activewear, too—with the launch of Dia&Co Active and many other new brands dedicated to plus sizes, high-performance pieces are increasingly possible for all women.
Why was this a big deal?
Women of all sizes deserve access to fashion they love. 67% of women in the U.S. wear sizes 14+, but the majority of retailers don’t reflect that statistic. Thankfully, more and more designers and brands are increasing their size ranges to keep up with the times.
We stopped the list at 6 moments, but here’s to hoping the body positivity keeps going strong in 2019. In the meantime, keep an eye on the “Know” section every Friday to stay up to date with the latest industry happenings!
Dumplin’ Image: Kathy Hutchins/Shutterstock
Natasha Rothwell Image: Alamy Stock Photo
#TeeUpChange Images: Daniel Zuchnik/Getty Images for Dia&Co
