Fashion has always been a way to express oneself, and to convey one’s personality to the world. However, fashion has been heavily criticised for promoting unhealthy body standards that are unattainable for most people. These unrealistic standards have made fashion exclusive and have also resulted in body shaming and body image issues. The body positivity movement came as a response to this, promoting the acceptance of all body types and sizes.
Tracing the Body Positivity movement
The body positivity movement started in the 1960s in the Western world but the idea has gained popularity in recent years, with social media playing a significant role. Body positivity challenges the societal norms that dictate what a “perfect” body should look like. It promotes the idea that all bodies are beautiful, and there is no ideal body type.
Body positivity in the era of social media
Normalising body positivity and calling out body shaming is not a miracle that happened overnight. Many individuals, activists and influencers have put their hard work into bringing this discussion into the mainstream.
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Some of these social media influencers have reimagined fashion and have advocated ideas of inclusivity by normalising disabilities, scars and physical differences in the fashion diaspora. We would like to speak of 5 such influencers who are a living and breathing reality of body positivity and inclusivity in fashion. They are plus-size models, they are opinionated, they are vocal, and basically, they are everything that the orthodox society disapproves of.
Here we go!
Sakshi is a fashion blogger, Youtuber, influencer and model. Her ideas on self-love don’t sound preachy but practicable. She has broken many stereotypes and her contagious smile can fix most world problems if not all. Her GRMW while she grooves to music is loved beyond measure. Additionally, she has also worked with big brands and has been featured on the cover page of multiple magazines. Recently, she also earned a spot on the Forbes list of 100 digital stars.
- Tanvi Geetha Ravishankar
Tanvi is known by her Instagram handle theChubbyTwirler, she is an artist, a fashion icon and an entrepreneur. She is not somebody who lets fat shaming slide under the carpet, instead tackles it with her witty satirical reels. Her social media is a treat to the eyes. Recently she was trending for her take on Behsram Rang and to say the least, she did a fab job at it. She has also won the Cosmopolitan BodyLove Influencer for the years 2022 and 2023.
- Aashna Bhagwani
Aashna Bhagwani is an Indian Instagram influencer, model, and social media personality. She has amassed a large following of over 250k followers with her unique take on fashion and lifestyle. If there was a holy book on beauty, her beauty tips would be on the introductory page. Her travel blogs are aesthetic, urging one to pack their bags immediately. She has collaborated with several fashion and beauty brands, including Lakme, H&M, and Daniel Wellington. Seeing her love herself effortlessly pushes one to do the same.
- Neha Parulkar
Neha is another significant Indian star in the universe of body positivity and self-love. Neha has made vulnerability heroic as she shares her struggles on the journey of self-acceptance. Her TEDx talk is like a complete guide on body positivity, self-love and mental health. Her sense of style is unique and extraordinary. Neha is definitely an expert in styling and borrowing a few tips from her Instagram handle will make you the best dressed in the room.
- Diksha Singhi
Diksha is a content creator and influencer who speaks extensively about body positivity. Her videos teach a very simple philosophy, which is to believe in yourself and follow your heart. She is an entrepreneur running a successful business rightly named ‘A Little Extra’. She deals in a bunch of products including, clothing, accessories, fridge magnets, etc. Goes without saying, all of these are super adorable and pocket friendly too. Diksha inspires you to be your unapologetic self. She has also promoted many home-grown plus-size brands that are now doing exceedingly well.
Channelling body positivity through fashion
The fashion industry is an indispensable tool to bring body positivity and can embrace diversity by featuring models of different body types, sizes, and skin tones. Representation is truly the way forward.
Using real people as models, people with their imperfections can help promote the idea that all bodies are beautiful and challenge the stereotypes. In addition, fashion brands can offer a wider range of sizes and styles to cater for all body types.
