Dr. Oz: Alda Seeks to Change Fashion Industry
Dr. Oz talked about the unhealthy quest for perfection in the fashion industry. There is a group of plus sized models trying to change the industry.
In the modeling industry, a size 0 is what most models have. But these days, models that don’t fit the mold are shaking things up. Robyn Lawley, who was in the 2015 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, is a size 12.
Dr. Oz talked about the perception of weight in the fashion industry and spoke to Alda, a group of plus sized women speaking out about it. (benoitmeunier / flickr)
Recently, when one of the world’s largest modeling agencies closed its plus division, plus sized models Inga Eiriksdottir, Ashley Graham, Julie Henderson, Danielle Redman, and Marquita Pring banded together to change the fashion industry. They call themselves Alda, the Icelandic word for “wave.”
They want to create a market for all of the bodies in the world, not just size 0s.
Dr. Oz: Why Are These Women Considered Plus Sized?
Dr. Oz welcomed Julia, Inga, Ashley, and Danielle to his stage. Dr. Oz wondered why they were considered plus sized, because they all looked great and healthy and thin. Marquita said they’re very used to getting this question and part of what Alda is trying to do is getting rid of the labels.
“We are here to represent healthy women and to inspire diversity in this industry and just be positive role models for everyone, regardless of size. We want to embrace a healthy lifestyle and that’s what we’re here to promote,” Marquita said.
Inga said that when you’re above a size 8 in the fashion industry, you’re a plus-sized model, which is very misleading when the average woman in America is a size 14. She said that when she was modeling at a smaller size, she was asked not to play tennis anymore so she wouldn’t grow muscles and become heavier. She really struggled to maintain the right size.
Danielle Redman said she was also struggling trying to meet the right size, eating really healthy and working out twice a day. She’s much happier plus-sized modeling because she can be her healthy, natural self.
Dr. Oz: Being Comfortable In Your Skin
Alexis in Dr. Oz’s audience said she was always larger when she was growing up. She said she wished she had women like this to look up to when she was younger.
Julia said that Alexis should do something everyday for herself to make her feel more comfortable in her own skin. Julia said when she was growing up, she found a lot of support in her basketball team and Alexis should find a group of people to support her. Inga added that she shouldn’t compare herself to others.
Marquita said that social media and magazines are pushing a certain image of a woman’s body and that ideal doesn’t help anyone. Marquita said Alda is all about inspiring change and representing diversity. She said Alexis should ignore those images and be herself.
Dr. Oz: Voice Your Concerns Online
Marquita said if you want to see more diversity in the fashion industry, you should tweet and comment on the accounts and websites of magazines and department stores. Tell them you want to see more diversity represented.
Alda uses #beautybeyondsize as a hashtag on Twitter. Dr. Oz said he was going to tweet about this and he encouraged others to retweet him to spread the word.
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