Social media has emphasized the concept of empowerment and so the body-positive movement has had particular relevance. No wonder that recently, there's been a rise in plus-size influencers on social media who use their platform to advocate body positivity. Such curvy influencers have gained hundreds of thousands, some even millions of devoted followers, proving just how mainly well received and relevant their content is. Think of Katie Sturino, Ashley Graham, Charli Howard, Tess Holiday, to name just a few. Pua'Nani Owens, whom we contacted to speak about the body positivity and inclusivity movement on social media, is one of these inspiring women.
“When it comes to fashion and style, curvy women face challenges just like any other woman,” Pua’Nani Owens, a curvy lifestyle influencer and blogger originally from Hawaii, told Bored Panda. She explained that what makes plus size women’s challenges different is finding a fashion brand that includes their sizes with clothing specifically made for curvy bodies.
“What I mean is that you can’t take a size 4 dress and just make it wider. The same care for pattern-work and sewing that is put into straight-sized clothing must also be put into plus-size clothing without breaking the bank. That being said, we also sometimes struggle with the type of fashion styles that are available to us,” Pua explained and added that in recent years, many brands have become way more inclusive with styles and sizing.
Having said that, Pua believes that we’ve still got a long way to go. “That’s why more curvy girls and guys need to embrace who they are so that we as a community can be seen and embraced as individuals. Everybody deserves the fashion they desire,” she said.
The curvy lifestyle influencer argues that body positivity is crucial for not only curvy women, but women and men of all sizes: “it’s just that curvy bodies are currently leading the way with the movement.” According to Pua, true body positivity starts on the inside and with each individual person.
“Body positivity comes from evolving as a person so that you can accept yourself. Evolving through self-esteem, self-confidence and realizing your worth outside of what your body can physically or visually offer others, and instead what your body can do for you. We can all love ourselves a little more, that way we can love and accept each other as a community within society,” Pua explained.
