Niet eens zo heel gek lang geleden probeerde het Zuid-Afrikaanse model Marciel Hopkins met alle macht in het juiste hokje te passen en ‘size zero’ te bereiken. Ze werd er diep ongelukkig van. Inmiddels heeft ze dat keurslijf volledig losgelaten en is ze happier than ever. Dat zien ook wij.

How I really feel about being called plus size: It’s the way I am branded by the industry I work in, although it’s not a term I will ever use to define myself. The fact that I am a size 14 and seen as plus size, implies that half of the population’s women are ‘bigger’ than what they are ‘supposed’ to be. That can’t be healthy for any woman’s self worth and image! I would go so far as to say that half of the population’s women suffer from emotional abuse while shopping: We can’t find a ‘sexy’ jean in our size, because chain stores simply don’t accomodate women bigger than a size 14. So we always feel depressed and unworthy after leaving the changing room. This is so wrong!! There should be sizes for all different body types in all different clothing types: cup sizes, jeans, swimwear, dresses etc. Basically, body diversity should be normalised! We should not be categorising clothing in straight or plus-sizes. Why are we putting people in boxes according to the size of their bum!? Why do more curvy ladies always struggle to find ‘sexy’ jeans in their size?? Drop the plus! Body diversity and inclusivity should be the norm. #bodydiversity #inclusivity #droptheplus #everybodyisbeautiful #bodypositive #healthnotsize #dietculture #brainwashed #plussize #emotionalabuse #categories #selfworth #selflove #beautybeyondsize

Een bericht gedeeld door Marciel Hopkins (@marcielhopkins) op

Body positivity

Ooit geloofde ze dat ze het pas waard was om een vriendje te hebben als ze genoeg afviel, schrijft Hopkins bij een foto op haar Instagram-account. Inmiddels is ze erachter dat dat totale kletspraat is en predikt ze body positivity waar ze maar kan.

My darling, you are not placed here on earth to find a husband. The size of your bum has NOTHING to do with the amount of love you deserve. I once believed the terrible “love lie” myself: “If I lose weight, I will be worthy enough of having boyfriend.” Thus, skinny = love and acceptance. How wrong and distored was this message I was communicating to myself for years!? I never felt good enough around boys and I was always trying to make myself smaller – literally and figuratively. It had a massive impact on my dating experiences – I was always cutting myself short. I never took into account that I was smart, capable, influential and SO much more! Please hear me out today: You do not have to fit into a “perfect size” or maintain a certain goal weight before you are worthy of love. You do not have to live up to anyone’s expectation of your physical appearance before you are “date-worthy”. You are SO much more than a body or a booty or a pretty face. You are a living soul that is placed here on earth to live a full and purpose driven life. You are defintely not here to find a husband! ???????? #selfworth #selflove #dating #selfimage #healthnotsize #encourage #empower #embrace #womenempowerment #bodypositive #beautybeyondsize #bopo #droptheplus #dietculture #expectations #unrealistic #everybodyisbeautiful

Een bericht gedeeld door Marciel Hopkins (@marcielhopkins) op

Plus size

Zo vindt ze de term ‘plus size’ nogal dubieus, omdat dat impliceert dat er ook een ‘normal size’ is. Zit wat in. Naast brains heeft ze overigens ook een gezonde dosis beauty, de meest sprekende voorbeelden daarvan hebben we hier even voor je op een rijtje gezet.

When your day feels claustrophobically dark and as if you’re drowning in your own anxiety or depression, please know you’re not alone and it’s NOTHING to be ashamed of. Mental health is just as important as physical health. Admitting you have a problem and speaking up about it, is the first step to saving your own life. I stuggled with major depression when I was in high school after my best friend and both of her siblings died in a car crash. I was on antidepressants for 2 years and I received therapy before I made a full recovery. If you are going through a dark and difficult time in your life and shame is keeping you quiet –  please speak up about it. There is healing and light at the end of the tunnel. Don’t give up and don’t give in. My heart and prayers go out to you. Big, big hugs ? ????: @sheriselouwphotography #mentalhealth #depression #anxiety #hope #healing #dontgiveup

Een bericht gedeeld door Marciel Hopkins (@marcielhopkins) op

To the boy that called me a fat ass when I was only 13 years old… you can kiss it now? There is no space left for body shamers on our planet. Deport them to Mars where they can pick on rocks that all look the same. They clearly have no sense of individuality ???????????? ????: @sheriselouwphotography H&MU: @alisonrjenner #bodypositive #bodyshamers #fatshaming #gotoMars #nospaceforyouhere #healthnotsize #inshapemyshape #individuality #selfworth #selfcare #bopo #beautybeyondsize #droptheplus #everybodyisbeautiful

Een bericht gedeeld door Marciel Hopkins (@marcielhopkins) op

To the Miss South Africa scout that said he only starts scouting from a size 10 and to the modelling agency that said I carry too much weight for my body: Shot for the motivation! I thrive when I’m underestimated and I’m coming for everything else you said I couldn’t have. Don’t let anybody ever tell you that you’re not good enough. Lock eyes with that dream of yours and give it a sexy wink, you can do this! ???????? Shot by @sheriselouwphotography, an amazing South African photographer based in London. Hair and make up by the fabulous @alisonrjenner. #London #curvemodel #bodysuit #shapewear #portrait #healthnotsize #bodypositive #beautybeyondsize #effyourbeautystandards

Een bericht gedeeld door Marciel Hopkins (@marcielhopkins) op

Some people will want you bigger and most of them will want you smaller. I have come to realise that I will never fit into the perfect idea that people have about how I am supposed to look. “She’s pretty, but just needs to lose another 5 pounds.” You see, my body is not the problem. How I’ve been taught to see it by society is the problem. I don’t have to fit into anyone’s idea about who I am or how I am supposed to look. I am bigger and more worthy than making myself smaller, literally and figuratively, for anyone else. Bodies change, evolve and have a life of their own. I vow to respect, love and cherish mine, no matter my shape or size. Always strive to be the happiest, healthiest version of yourself. ????: @janaengelbrechtphoto #bodypositive #healthnotsize #beautybeyondsize #inshapemyshape #bopo #bodypositivity #breakthemould #curvemodel #studio #lingerie #curves #confidence #youdecide

Een bericht gedeeld door Marciel Hopkins (@marcielhopkins) op

But this back though… #lowcut #fittings #swimwear #fullcostume #onepiece #curvemodel #curves #healthnotsize #summer #season #inshapemyshape

Een bericht gedeeld door Marciel Hopkins (@marcielhopkins) op

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