Modelka plus size promuje ciałopozytywność
EN_01614819_0008
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A plus-size fashion model from South Dakota is championing body positivity, one curve at a time.
Despite being at her heaviest weight Kaylee Slagus, a proud member of the 200 lbs club, has never felt happier in her body, regardless of societal expectations.
In her mission to celebrate women of all sizes embracing life's adventures, the 24-year-old confidence coach posts inspiring content on her social media that has resonated widely, amassing over 4.3 million likes on TikTok.
"Growing up, I was always the bigger, taller kid, constantly feeling like I needed to be on a diet. I came from a very healthy family and was an athlete throughout high school, so I was always very healthy. However, I was 5'11 tall and bigger-boned, which always made me feel so much bigger than my peers," Kaylee recalled.
The pressure to conform was amplified when Kaylee was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) at 16, a hormonal imbalance that impacts easy weight gain and makes weight loss very hard.
"PCOS complicated my relationship with food and my body. But it also taught me that health isn't a one-size-fits-all concept. Through high school, I was on so many different diets. Eventually, I felt like my relationship with food depended on how I looked versus eating for fuel.”
Kaylee explained that through her many ups and downs with weight, she realised her body issues stuck around, no matter what the scale said. Her confidence soared when she lost over 50 pounds, reaching her ‘goal weight’, yet she noticed her body image issues persisted. Gaining the weight back didn't change those issues, making it clear that her struggles were consistent, regardless of her size.
“It showed me that at my lightest, I have struggled with my body image and at my heaviest, I have struggled with my body image. That proves it's never been about my body. It's been about my mind, how I view myself, and how society views me in return. I now know that value and beauty is not about the numbers on a scale. That was a profound step towards self-acceptance. We have been told our whole lives to be small and I’m here to tell everyone that it’s OK to take up space in a world that tells you otherwise," she expressed.
While Kaylee does receive some hate mail from online trolls, she doesn't let it bother her anymore.
"Every day, I'm confronted with social media comments that tell me I'm going to die early because I'm fat or I'm lazy and need to lose weight. Initially, those words cut deep, making me feel as though my very existence was under scrutiny. But over time, I understood that such remarks were mere reflections of strangers' biases, not a true assessment of my health or worth," she noted.
"It's not to say that no negativity affects me; some comments sting because they come from a place of ignorance about my journey. However, I've also learned to find humour in the absurdity of some opinions."
Kaylee strongly believes that the fashion and modelling industry should be pivotal in championing diverse body representations.
"My biggest struggle with modelling has always been with clothing sizes that weren't made for bodies like mine. Asking for a larger size felt awkward initially, but it led to an important realisation – clothes should adapt to fit the body, not vice versa and fashion should be represented in all sizes. It still frustrates me when clothing brands say they carry plus sizes, but their biggest model wears a large size. If a brand is going to carry extended sizing, then its models should represent that."
For those looking up to her, Kaylee offers a message of empowerment: you can totally look after your health and still rock the body you're in. All bodies, she believes, can be healthy bodies.
"Own your space. Your value isn't tied to your size or society's standards. True beauty comes from knowing and loving yourself. You were always enough, just as you are. Your worth isn't measured by a number on a scale but by the depth of your character and the strength of your heart."
Looking ahead, Kaylee dreams of expanding her influence, from hosting confidence retreats to collaborating with major brands like Nike.
"I want to create spaces where women can empower each other and redefine beauty on their own terms," she concluded.
Featuring: Kaylee Slagus
When: 20 Mar 2024
Credit: @kaylee.slagus/Cover Images
**EDITORIAL USE ONLY. MATERIALS ONLY TO BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH EDITORIAL STORY. THE USE OF THESE MATERIALS FOR ADVERTISING, MARKETING OR ANY OTHER COMMERCIAL PURPOSE IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. MATERIAL COPYRIGHT REMAINS WITH STATED PHOTOGRAPHER AND/OR SUPPLIER.**
2024-03-20
Cover Images/East News
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