(Check out the video here: https://www.facebook.com/thisisinsidervideo/videos... )
Many fashion lines are featuring more diversity in their models with regard to gender, identity, race, body sizes and shapes. Yet, models still receive backlash and body shaming from audiences for defying the norm of the modeling industry -- thin, tall, and toned women. Someone recently sent me this video of Iskra Lawrence, a new model for Aerie, in which she responds to criticism she has been receiving regarding her body. At first I watched, excited to see the response. The video shows Lawrence sporting a bra and thong, eating brownies, and laying on a pile of junk food. She says that her post is for "anyone who has ever been called fat". I was really happy to see someone else taking a stand against body shaming, but something still irked me.
It was not until I tried describing the video to a friend that I realized what it was that threw me off: not all curvy women are fat, and curves aren't all due to unhealthy eating habits. Now I suppose this depends on how one identifies. If you call yourself fat, which some people do in an effort to reclaim the term, then perhaps 'curviness' and 'fat' can be synonymous. However, whether you are toned, thin, curvy, or somewhere in between, remember that not all people with curves eat tons of junk food. Of course, it is likely that Lawrence did not intend to make this statement. However, it is important to remember that your diet does not automatically determine the shape of your body. This isn't to say that eating healthily or unhealthily does or does not affect weight. It does, and this can, and often does, affect fat and muscle proportions. But it does not correlate directly to curviness.
My slight problem with the video is that it responds to haters by saying: "I'm curvy, and I eat junk." Perhaps Lawrence instead was trying to respond to the often over-restricted, and minimal diets that many models engage in to manage their weight. In that case, it's fantastic that Lawrence responded in this way -- showing that models can still eat junk food, enjoy themselves, and most of all, love their bodies. It's just important to remember that not all curvy/fat (however you choose to identify) women are this way because they eat junk food! Other than this, Lawrence's body confidence is inspiring and a reminder to all that you are beautiful regardless of what societal norms may portray as desirable. Our bodies are so incredible and capable of so much - so love yourself!
