Dr Oz: Plus-Sized Models On A Mission
Dr Oz pointed out that the fashion industry has been criticized for a long time for perpetuating an unhealthy quest for perfection. But there is a group of women who are passionate about changing that. Robyn Lawley was in 2015’s Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition, and she’s a size 12, although you’d never guess by looking at the pictures of her.
Dr Oz talked to a group of plus-sized models who are on a mission to instill diversity in a typically thin fashion industry. (timshortt / flickr)
Plus-sized models Inga Eiriksdottir, Ashley Graham, Julie Henderson, Danielle Redman, and Marquita Pring came together to change the way the fashion industry defines beauty. They call themselves Alda, which is the Icelandic word for wave and they’re hoping to encourage and inspire women of all shapes and sizes to accept and celebrate their bodies. They want there to be a market for all body types in the fashion industry.
Dr Oz: Changing Fashion Industry Standards
Dr Oz welcomed Inga, Julie, Danielle, and Marquita to the show, and pointed out that he was actually shocked that they were considered plus-sized. Marquita said part of what Alda is trying to accomplish is to do away with the labels in the industry. She said they are models and they want to represent women and promote a healthy lifestyle. Inga shared that when you’re over a size 8 in the fashion industry, you’re plus-sized, but the average woman in America is a size 14.
Inga then shared that the number on the scale is not an accurate measure of health. She said you can be healthy at a size 16 or a size 2. She used to model at a size 4 but struggled because it wasn’t natural for her body. She loves playing tennis, but was asked not to play because she would get “too strong” or “too muscular” and not fit the right size. She is now modeling at a bigger size, while playing tennis and teaching yoga.
Dr Oz #BeautyBeyondSize: Encourage Diversity
Dr Oz shared that his daughter Daphne was told that she had “big cells” because she just naturally struggles to be smaller. Dr Oz then talked to a woman in the audience who shared she was always larger growing up, but she really wants to be a plus-sized model. She said she didn’t have women like the ones in Alda to inspire her.
The models shared that they found ways to get inspiration. They suggested she start every day doing something for herself and appreciating what she has. Then, find a group of girls that support you and make you feel good about yourself. Also, never compare yourself to anyone else, because social media can make that comparison very hard.
The models said they want to inspire change, because even as a group, they all look different. The models said to use your voice and encourage companies and magazines to be more diverse. Alda uses the hashtag #beautybeyondsize. How do you feel about what the models are doing?
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