Source : RDNE Stock project - Pexels

The Rise of the Body Positive Movement and its impact on the Fashion Industry

The rise of the body positive movement has revolutionized the fashion industry by challenging traditional beauty standards and promoting acceptance of all body types. So, how brands have adapted to this evolution and which impact of this powerful movement on the fashion industry?

Body Positivity : What does it mean ? 

Round, very round, small, thin, too tall... The Body Positive movement is a movement for the acceptance and recognition of all bodies. Benevolent, inclusive, it translates into respect for all body types, starting with love for one's own body.

This movement was created to highlight bodies that are often invisible or "out of standard" and to try to represent not only a part of the population but as many different silhouettes as possible. 

Challenging Traditional Beauty Standards

For decades, the fashion industry has imposed unrealistic beauty norms, emphasizing slim and perfect bodies. However, the body positive movement questions these rigid standards and encourages the acceptance of all bodies, regardless of shape or size. Women are urged to love and embrace themselves as they are, without conforming to unattainable ideals.  

The Emergence of Plus-Size Models

The body positive movement has witnessed the emergence of plus-size models on runways and in advertising campaigns. These models, such as Ashley Graham & Tess Holliday, have paved the way for better representation of women of all sizes. Their presence demonstrates that beauty is not limited to a single body type, allowing for broader identification among consumers.

 

Source: Brian Ach - Getty Images

Commercial Opportunities for Fashion Brands

Fashion brands quickly realized the importance of the body positive movement and seized the opportunity to offer inclusive collections. By providing a diverse range of clothing for all sizes and shapes, they cater to a growing demand and attract a wider customer base. Brands that embrace the philosophy of inclusion and diversity reap the benefits of loyal customers' engagement. This movement has clearly favored the range expansion's of sizes offered so far and the addition of sizes; XXS, XS, XL, XXL, XXXL for example.

The Power of Body Positive Influencers

the canadian model Winnie Harlow, Spencer Barbosa or else Brittnee Blair. These women become spokespersons and dare to show their body with assertiveness. They use their platforms to promote self-love, self-confidence, and acceptance of all body types. Their positive and realistic messages resonate with their followers, influencing their purchasing decisions and prompting brands to reconsider their marketing strategies. 

Positive Impact on Mental Health

The Body Positive movement has a significant impact on women's mental health. By promoting self-acceptance and rejecting unattainable beauty standards, it contributes to reducing stress and improving self-esteem. Women feel increasingly empowered to love their bodies as they are, which has positive consequences for their psychological well-being.

Furthermore, this Body Positivity movement gave birth to Body Neutrality which is defined as no obligation to love your body and to declare your love to it, the whole thing is to be well as we are, whatever our neutral or positive opinion on our own physical appearance.

The Body Positive movement has disrupted the fashion industry by challenging traditional beauty norms and promoting self-acceptance. Fashion brands have seized the opportunity to meet the increasing demand by offering inclusive collections for all body types. Thanks to the influence of body positive influencers and the positive messages they convey, the movement continues to gain popularity and positively impact women's mental health. By embracing this philosophy, the fashion industry is moving towards a more inclusive era where diversity is celebrated, and self-love takes center stage. 

 

Indigo Bay in body positive mode activated

 

 

Source: The brands FRNCH, Girlfriend Collective, Jackson Rowe, Lav & Lush  from IndigoBayCanmore.com

 

Origin:

Popularized on social networks in the mid-2010s, the movement originated in 1996 with the association "The Body Positive" launched by two Americans, Connie Sobczak and Elizabeth Scott, following the death of Connie Sobczak's sister who suffered from eating disorders. With this association, the two women want to create "a lively and therapeutic community that releases suffocating social messages that keep people in a perpetual struggle against their bodies", quotes the blog Les Mondes Numériques1.

 

Sources:

H&M Bademode 2022: Warum selbst Kritiker sie loben
Tess Holliday Beauty Interview
Ashley Graham's NYFW Lingerie show was all about body positivity
Show Studio Winnie Harlow
Body positive : origine, signification et détournement de ce mouvement

 

 

Source : RDNE Stock project - Pexels

The Rise of the Body Positive Movement and its impact on the Fashion Industry

The rise of the body positive movement has revolutionized the fashion industry by challenging traditional beauty standards and promoting acceptance of all body types. So, how brands have adapted to this evolution and which impact of this powerful movement on the fashion industry?

Body Positivity : What does it mean ? 

Round, very round, small, thin, too tall... The Body Positive movement is a movement for the acceptance and recognition of all bodies. Benevolent, inclusive, it translates into respect for all body types, starting with love for one's own body.

This movement was created to highlight bodies that are often invisible or "out of standard" and to try to represent not only a part of the population but as many different silhouettes as possible. 

Challenging Traditional Beauty Standards

For decades, the fashion industry has imposed unrealistic beauty norms, emphasizing slim and perfect bodies. However, the body positive movement questions these rigid standards and encourages the acceptance of all bodies, regardless of shape or size. Women are urged to love and embrace themselves as they are, without conforming to unattainable ideals.  

The Emergence of Plus-Size Models

The body positive movement has witnessed the emergence of plus-size models on runways and in advertising campaigns. These models, such as Ashley Graham & Tess Holliday, have paved the way for better representation of women of all sizes. Their presence demonstrates that beauty is not limited to a single body type, allowing for broader identification among consumers.

 

Source: Brian Ach - Getty Images

Commercial Opportunities for Fashion Brands

Fashion brands quickly realized the importance of the body positive movement and seized the opportunity to offer inclusive collections. By providing a diverse range of clothing for all sizes and shapes, they cater to a growing demand and attract a wider customer base. Brands that embrace the philosophy of inclusion and diversity reap the benefits of loyal customers' engagement. This movement has clearly favored the range expansion's of sizes offered so far and the addition of sizes; XXS, XS, XL, XXL, XXXL for example.

The Power of Body Positive Influencers

the canadian model Winnie Harlow, Spencer Barbosa or else Brittnee Blair. These women become spokespersons and dare to show their body with assertiveness. They use their platforms to promote self-love, self-confidence, and acceptance of all body types. Their positive and realistic messages resonate with their followers, influencing their purchasing decisions and prompting brands to reconsider their marketing strategies. 

Positive Impact on Mental Health

The Body Positive movement has a significant impact on women's mental health. By promoting self-acceptance and rejecting unattainable beauty standards, it contributes to reducing stress and improving self-esteem. Women feel increasingly empowered to love their bodies as they are, which has positive consequences for their psychological well-being.

Furthermore, this Body Positivity movement gave birth to Body Neutrality which is defined as no obligation to love your body and to declare your love to it, the whole thing is to be well as we are, whatever our neutral or positive opinion on our own physical appearance.

The Body Positive movement has disrupted the fashion industry by challenging traditional beauty norms and promoting self-acceptance. Fashion brands have seized the opportunity to meet the increasing demand by offering inclusive collections for all body types. Thanks to the influence of body positive influencers and the positive messages they convey, the movement continues to gain popularity and positively impact women's mental health. By embracing this philosophy, the fashion industry is moving towards a more inclusive era where diversity is celebrated, and self-love takes center stage. 

 

Indigo Bay in body positive mode activated

 

 

Source: The brands FRNCH, Girlfriend Collective, Jackson Rowe, Lav & Lush  from IndigoBayCanmore.com

 

Origin:

Popularized on social networks in the mid-2010s, the movement originated in 1996 with the association "The Body Positive" launched by two Americans, Connie Sobczak and Elizabeth Scott, following the death of Connie Sobczak's sister who suffered from eating disorders. With this association, the two women want to create "a lively and therapeutic community that releases suffocating social messages that keep people in a perpetual struggle against their bodies", quotes the blog Les Mondes Numériques1.

 

Sources:

H&M Bademode 2022: Warum selbst Kritiker sie loben
Tess Holliday Beauty Interview
Ashley Graham's NYFW Lingerie show was all about body positivity
Show Studio Winnie Harlow
Body positive : origine, signification et détournement de ce mouvement