Plus Size Models and Fat Models vs Skinny Models
In a culture where we are assaulted every day by manipulative commercial agendas, “beauty standards” have become a weapon that is used to control us. People are made to feel bad about who they are or how they look. We simply don’t see a lot of plus size models or “fat models”.
Many of us push back against commercial messages. We advocate acceptance for ALL BODY TYPES, and call for a celebration of EVERY SHAPE AND SIZE. Sometimes in our struggle to reclaim our definitions of beauty, we push against each other, instead of pushing against judgment and shame. In the battle to be more fully accepted, if we fight against each other, we are actually fighting for the wrong side.
While some people might be considered overweight, others may be considered underweight. Art model Jena Kellen is a skinny model… a very skinny model. It’s not uncommon for people who feel bad about being overweight, to lash out at her as the embodiment of the standards that causes them suffering.
The irony is, if we shame or judge any one person for how they look, we are continually creating the same lack of acceptance that we are pushing against. Judging someone who might conform to a “beauty standard” is the same as judging someone who does not. If we really want to create a world where we all feel loved, seen and accepted for exactly who we are, we must start by accepting others exactly as they are. In order for us to create a new culture, we must embrace each other for our hearts and shared humanity, rather than the shape of our bodies.
As a model who shares her art with others, Kellen has often been attacked on Facebook and at Model Mayhem by people who are triggered by how she looks. She shared some of her perspective and experience with us…
I am obviously extremely thin, and I get a LOT of commentary about that, both positive and negative… I don’t care if you are skinny, fat, or in-between. As long as you are HEALTHY and LOVE YOURSELF, you can be attractive at any size. If you are underweight because you starve yourself, or if you are overweight because you eat crap and don’t exercise, I find that very unattractive.
I am NATURALLY this thin. I eat raw food, do yoga, live a physically active life, and make an effort to eat extra calories in order to maintain a healthy weight.
To all the skinny girls out there, love who you are. I am 5’9″ and barely 100 lbs. My body mass index is EXTREMELY low. Most people would pretty much die if they had my BMI. This is just the way I am, and it does not make you inadequate if you’re not just as thin. I am not “thinspiration”, and I am not “pro-ana”. If you are looking at my pictures to motivate yourself to starve, please get help!
To all the big girls out there, please can we just be friends? I have never implied that all women should look like me. I have never indicated that there is anything wrong with curvy women. I love curves! I love hip bones, I love love handles, I love ribs and I love big boobies! I love women’s bodies in general, all shapes and sizes.
What if I went around commenting on all the big girls’ photos, saying mean things like stop eating, go make yourself throw up, go get some liposuction… I would look like a big asshole, wouldn’t I? Well, it goes both ways.
The world is full of all kinds of bodies. It would be so boring if we all looked the same! I have been blessed with the confidence to put images my body out there for the world to see.
At Model Society, we celebrate all body types. We don’t think of models as either fat models or skinny models. When it comes to art, plus size modeling is the same as any other type of art modeling. We see every human being as inspiration.
Our model portfolios are approved based on on expressive and artistic qualities. We invite anyone, who feels inspired to participate in the creation of beautiful art.
Jenna Kellen has chosen to share herself as a subject of artistic contemplation… any of us can chose to do the same. You too are a miraculous work of art; exactly as you are. If you are willing to share the treasure of your humanity with talented photographers or artists, you can help us expand the collective definition of beauty to include us all.
Get a FREE issue of Model Society Magazine, and help us restore human beauty to it’s rightful place as a subject of fine art contemplation.
See more of the Jenna Kellen portfolio right here at Model Society or find her at Model Mayhem.
Also be sure to visit her website: http://www.jennakellen.com.
Additional photography by Plage.
His elegant portfolio depicts the human form with tremendous respect and artistic insight. See the rest of his photography portfolio.
