During the roaring twenties women started to become a "new woman" in the sense that they had more freedom in what they were allowed to wear, how they could act, and what they were able to do. Through this sparkling shift, women started to be used and sexualized in ad campaigns; their bodies were used to not sell a product, but to sell "lifestyles". This was just the beginning. Throughout the years, the clothing industry started portraying the "skinny model" to catwalk during fashion week and be on the front cover of every magazine. The skinny was often airbrushed or photoshopped unrealistically in photos. What does this say to all the girls looking up to these models? Is this how we want them to grow up; Thinking they have to look a certain way or they won't be accepted by society?
With media coming up with a body that every women thought they needed to strive for, came society’s body shaming. With body shaming came a compromise of 'plus-size' models. Basically, you could either be really skinny and just be a model, or you could have a thick waist and thick thighs and be a 'plus-size' model. Where did that leave all the bodies in between? Iskra Lawrence is a prime example of the correlation of the two industries of modeling and plus size modeling. Modeling agencies kept turning her down because they couldn't find a "spot" for her. Her hip and thigh measurements were too large for 'regular' modeling so she decided she would try 'plus-size' modeling only to find out that her waist was too small. Aerie was lucky enough to sweep up Iskra Lawrence and start their AerieREAL campaign. According to Business Insider, in 2016 Aerie's all around sales have skyrocketed an impressive 32% since the release of AerieREAL. This just proves the fallacy that companies were making more money with a ‘skinny’ model.
For those of you who don't know, AerieREAL not only has authentic models selling their products, they have also abolished Photoshop. The models vary in shape, ethnicity, size and height. These are REAL women! Iskra Lawrence is the face of their campaign because she is legitimate. She struggled with body image which makes her the perfect candidate to talk about body positivity!
I think sixth grade is around the time girls become aware of their bodies. Right around the time they start to change and become 'womenly'. Some grow taller and thin out while others may gain a little weight. This shift seems like it happens overnight and can be very scary for these girls. Every girl should be given that American Girl Doll book, "The Care and Keeping of You". Reading that was probably the first time I realized it was okay to have a different body shape and that there wasn't one "right" body to have.
Having said all this, I would just like to say that YOU are not your body. You are a trio of your body, mind, and soul, as one. Love your body for all the imperfections it has. Love your mind for it is the exploration of your life. Love your soul for it is who you are, your personality, your thoughts. Whether you are the skinny model, the plus-size model, anything and everything beyond and in between, love yourself. Love yourself because you are so much more than how society portrays your body image. You are you, and there’s no one quiet like the authentic you.
