"My personal realm and skill lives in the fashion world, so that is where I work for equity, but body equity also reaches far past fashion and into justice at work, at school, at the doctor's office, on the street, and beyond," the inclusive fashion designer tells Bored Panda.
"All human beings – regardless of size, shape, height, weight, age, ability, gender, ethnicity, or religion – deserve equal access to clothing, to joy, to respect, to care, to kindness, and to love."
Body positivity activists often have to fight assumptions that the movement promotes unhealthy lifestyles and eating disorders. "The first thing I remind people of when this topic is broached is that health is not a prerequisite for clothing," Dunn says. "Everyone wears clothing. Everyone deserves access to it. Health has zero to do with the conversation."
"The second thing I remind people of is that health is not equally accessible to all. There are people who will never be 'healthy.' Those folks still deserve access and also to be seen. They deserve to be highlighted, held up, and cared for."
"And lastly – health is between an individual and their personal healthcare providers. It is not up for debate in the comments section. It is no one's business but your own," the inclusive fashion designer adds.
Mallorie Dunn teaches draping, sewing, and even business classes (this spring) at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. That includes the inclusive fashion patternmaking class that was quite popular last year. This year, the class begins in the middle of March. If you're passionate about plus-sized fashion design, don't hesitate to join!
