Feminist Disrupters Put Plus Size in the Picture
By: Renee Cafaro
Tags: Fashion, Feminism, Body Positive, Body Image, Plus Size

We set out to disrupt how media depicts the female form, by bringing plus size models together in an eye-catching, artistic shoot — only to be met with apathy and confusion for media outlets on where plus size women fit in the picture. Editors and PR teams struggled to understand the importance of showing visibly plus women showcased as works of art and put our idea on the back burner (Please note, Medium was not one of those outlets, and we’d like to thank Medium for allowing us a platform). In spite of this, we decided we wouldn’t be ignored, took matters into our own hands and released our own content because representation matters. It’s about so much more than calling curvy women ‘Ruebenesque’, a one-dimensional euphemism. This is about creating content that shows that plus size women are not only gorgeous, but also worth of adoration, affection, or even worship, as the subject of a priceless paintings.

So, we pulled together our 7-person team of NYC-base models, influencers and artists with a combined social media following of over 1 million.

After I met Sarah Hamel-Smith, a plus size model, digital influencer known as @thecurvytrini, at New York Fashion Week, we found ourselves at an event at Rosé Mansion in a room filled with roman statues of goddesses and a scene set as an homage to classic works ofart. As women who work in the plus size and body positive spheres, we noticed how these women depicted in museums would likely be fat shamed today, but that the tides seem to be turning. Thanks to what I call ‘The Ashley Graham Factor’ soft curves are once again enviable. We wondered if the uptick in curvy representation might mean “A Renaissance of the Renaissance” : a time when fuller bodies are once again society’s symbol of beauty and prosperity. We created an elaborate shoot showcasing curves, female artist and men who love them in 4 typical tropes: Venus, Goddess, Icon/Queen and aristocratic women in a Bacchanalian repose.

We didn’t want to do cliché recreations of art, but rather reimagine museum-pieces to include the diversity, power and imagery we want to see in media. “When I think of the Renaissance Era I’ve rarely seen women of color and curves depicted in the art. It is exciting to be part of this project and part of the new narrative,” says model Asia Monet, who was our exaulted goddess in a gilded frame.

Brooklyn-based artist and photographer Emily Raw was a natural and perfect fit as she has a desire to create art that can flip the script from the male gaze. Raw is fascinated and delighted with the freedom of expression bestowed on a wider array of voices by the digital revolution, including social media, which is exactly what this project stands for.

My co-creator Sarah Hamel-Smith summed up our mission perfectly. “We don’t have to wait on the approval of an anti-fat editor to decide if something is relevant or important. With social media we now have the power to create content to feature, inspire and empower all types of people.”

Written by Renee Cafaro, US Editor of plus size magazine SLiNK and founder of @FoxyRoxyFashion :A Curvy Girl’s Guide to Couture.

Renee Cafaro and Emily Raw: art direction Emily Raw: photography Lizzy Weinberg: hair stylist Models: Jonna Capone as Venus reimagined (@curvycapone ), the goddess (@modelAsiaMonet), the Queen/Icon (@foxyroxyfashion) and a bacchanalian scene featuring Sophie Turner (@sophieeturner), Sarah Hamel-Smith (@thecurvytrini) and a male friend who agreed to model, Lorenzo Dinia, PhD (@lorenzo_dinia )