Body-shaming has become all too common in recent years, not helped by a near-constant striving for perfection on social media.
But there’s a movement afoot: body-positivity advocates are coming together, and wonderful things are happening.
As part of this year’s Stylist Live, Instagram star Megan Jayne Crabbe (aka Body Posi Panda), who coined the hashtag #DontHateTheShake, will be sharing her message of self-love and discussing how she battled anorexia during a panel discussion on Saturday 11 November.
Sitting along beside her will be Harnaam Kaur. As a long-term sufferer of polycystic ovary syndrome, Kaur has embraced her facial hair by dubbing herself the Bearded Dame.
The discussion will be chaired by comedian Sofie Hagen, Made of Human podcast host and winner of 2015’s Best Newcomer award at the Edinburgh Fringe.
With recent studies showing that when women have a negative or poor body image, they also tend to take part in riskier behaviours, including substance abuse, there’s never been a more vitally important time to appreciate women who don’t conform to restrictive societal expectations.
With that in mind, we’ve rounded up our most inspirational body positivity advocates in one place – all of whom are teaching us how to love ourselves as we are.
Stylist Live brings everything you love about Stylist magazine to life across three days of experts, interviews, comedy, food, beauty and fashion exclusives. 10-12 November, Olympia London. Find out more at live.stylist.co.uk
Megan Jayne Crabbe
Best-selling author of Body Positive Power: How to Stop Dieting, Make Peace with Your Body and Live, Megan Jayne Crabbe survived her battle with anorexia and has amassed 869,000 followers on Instagram alone from her newly discovered body-positive attitude.
Follow her: @bodyposipanda
Harnaam Kaur
As a body-confidence activist, Harnaam Kaur goes against the grain by doing whatever she damn well pleases, and we love her for it. As a long-term sufferer of polycystic ovaries, Kaur has embraced her facial hair and dubbed herself the Bearded Dame. From rocking a beard to perfecting eyeliner, she’s a passionate force to be reckoned with, as we discovered when she shared her personal essay with us last year.
Follow her: @harnaamkaur
Tess Holliday
The self-titled plus-size model has taught us a lot about self-love. By reclaiming the word ‘fat’ in her new book, The Not So Subtle Art Of Being A Fat Girl, the model is an inspiration to us all.
Follow her: @tessholliday
Jessamyn Stanley
As a yoga teacher and body-positivity advocate, Jessamyn Stanley is hellbent on asking, “How do I feel?” rather than “How do I look?” And that’s something we can definitely get on board with.
Follow her: @jessamynstanley
Denise Bidot
Model Denis Bidot is on a mission to get everyone to embrace their most authentic self with her No Wrong Way Movement. With nearly 440,000 followers she’s certainly on her way. Follow her for unabashedly glamorous snapshots of life as an international plus-sized model.
Follow her: @denisebidot
Clémentine Desseaux
Clémentine Desseaux has her own blog and creative agency that represents plus-size clothing brands. And as a co-founder of All Woman Project, she’s an advocate for difference and certainly one to watch. With an Insta account packed full of how to live her best life, the French way, it’s addictive.
Follow her: @bonjourclem
Jasmine Grimes
California-based Jasmine Grimes thinks underwear selfies are important. And we’re down for it. She promotes a “fat and body positive” attitude, and is super passionate about diversity in every way, as she aims to raise awareness of “inclusiveness in the media and with brands”.
Follow her: @myssematch
Imogen
Imogen - who has a disability as a result of a genetic impairment - documents her journey of self-love, self-acceptance and body positivity through social media and her blog. And it’s incredible.
Follow her: @the_feeding_of_the_fox
Mama Cax
A Haitan-American fashion blogger who currently resides in New York, Mama Cax was diagnosed with cancer aged 14, and has a prosthetic limb as a result of beating the disease. And she rocks it like a fashion accessory.
Follow her: @mamacaxx
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