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Introduction
The media is in a constant debate whether they should or should not allow models above a size 8 to walk on the catwalk. We are constantly exposed to this issue as it is advertised in magazines, on social media and on the news. This concept is troubling the young minds of this generation, and is often leading to mental illnesses. Many modelling companies put their models through torturous life changes including, weight loss, dietary changes and strenuous exercising. Many have to lose so many pounds just to have the ‘perfect’ modelling body and that is not fair. Losing weight just to have the ‘perfect’ body is ridiculous, and you should be allowed to do whatever you like, no matter what you weigh.

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Dedication
I dedicate this to those who have been told they need to lose weight to be able to walk down a catwalk. You should not have to fight to have ‘plus size’ girls on the cat walk in designer clothes. Not everyone is the same shape and size and there is no perfect sizing. This is dedicated to them because I feel sorry for all who have starved themselves, passed out and gone through so much pain just to have this industry be happy with what they are producing.

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Being told she needs to lose 40 pounds before she can start her modeling career, that is completely and utterly stupid.

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Models are forced to starve themselves and lose many kilos of weight before being shown in public scenarios. Almost all of the models begin to suffer depression as they are no happy with what they have had to become.

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Biography- Sophie Simmons
Sophie Tweed-Simmons was born July 7, 1992, in Los Angeles, California as Sophie Alexandra Tweed-Simmons. She is daughter to Kiss rocker Gene Simmons and model Shannon Tweed, and brother to Nick Simmons. When she first started her modelling career she was told that she wasn’t small enough to be a model. She found it quite challenging to get her start in the world wide industry, even though she was the daughter of a high profile model.

Sophie is one of many ‘curvier’ models out in the industry who is trying to change the perceptions of the fashion models along with the likes of Ashley Graham and Iskra Lawrence.  Sophie has told the media that she is ‘happy to be part of’ the movement, because she was not always as confident with her curves as she is today.

Sophie spent days upon days comparing her body and shape to that of her mothers, who had achieved great success as a model in the 80s, including being named Playboy Playmate of the Year in 1982. She was unable to understand why her mother had a great body but soon enough her mother was very understanding and help Sophie to learn to love the body that she has. Shannon sat Sophie down at quite a young age and said: “You got your body shape from your dad [Gene Simmons]’s side of the family, and that’s not the shape that I am, but that doesn’t mean that your body is any less beautiful than mine,” Sophie remembered.

She finally built her confidence up and accepted the fact that her body was different to that of her mothers. At the age of 14, Sophie did her first runway show, walking for Kelly Nishimoto for L.A Fashion Week in 2008, before there was an age limit for runway. Sophie eventually quit the industry after being quite upset about her body but recently re-joined after having this generation make a positive change in the industry.

Sophie has recently exposed herself in the Adore lingerie hit. She admitted that she was out of her comfort zone and was facing her fears, and that everyone around her were quite surprised to see her in minimal clothes. Sophie had to face the media and public as they had accused her of having her curves photo shopped but she stood up for herself and admitted that it was all her. Sophie is now as confident in her own body as she will ever be all thanks to the chat she had with her mother, Shannon Tweed.

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Detail report about your area of protest
Body image and self-confidence is a major issue in our society today. We are constantly being reminded of the mental and physical illnesses related with low self-esteem and confidence. We often sit and compare ourselves to the people we see on the television and in magazines. Comparing yourselves to others is a very unhealthy things to do and can often lead to many mental illnesses which can be quite daunting for younger people.

Ever since we were born, we have be brain washed to believe that all models are skinny, healthy people but in reality they aren’t that healthy. They are starving themselves to stay the required shape and size they need to be to be in the industry and it is starting to become quite unbearable for many models. Many are almost on their death beds which is not only devastating for the families of the models but also the industry itself.

Behind the scenes of all modelling shoots, the models are stuffing their faces full of food just so that can get through the long, stressful day. Leading up to the shoot, models are required to either eat nothing or to eat very little. They are to do this so that they can fit into their designer clothing and so that the industry is happy with what they produce.

It has been said that the modelling industry has opened up to having plus size models but have you ever seen a plus size model pose for Victorias Secret? There are a few companies allowing the plus size range into their photoshoots but we very rarely see it because it isn’t common. You are classed as a normal model when you are a size 2, 4 and 6 but anything over that is plus size. Plus size clothing doesn’t actually start until the size 14.

The industry needs to start showing off the beautiful bodies of those around us, being a size 4 is not healthy and you can begin to identify those who are in this harsh community. We are not all the same size, nor do we all want to be. We want to be happy but being told to lose weight often leads us to believe that we aren’t good enough, that we should be ashamed of our bodies.

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Reflection
I chose to write about this topic, plus size models, because as we continue to go along with our everyday lives, we are likely to start comparing ourselves to those around us and what we see in the media. Doing this is not good for your mental health and the constant comparison can lead to many illnesses and being disappointed in your own life. I am not a size 6 nor do I want to be, and I am totally fine with being ‘plus size’.

The media is continuing to demonstrate what they expect the modelling and the fashion industries to show in their photo shoots and on the runway. It is expected that they can wear size 6 or below clothing. If you are unable to do this, you are pretty much told that you have to starve yourself until you can.

I am totally against the losing weight segment in this industry because you should be able to do what you like, no matter what size you are, or what you weigh. As long as you are confident and happy in your own skin, you should be able to walk on that catwalk with a smile on your face.

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Females of different sizing also protesting about the fashion industry and the way they want their models to be.
'#FashionForEveryBody'

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Five women walking down a street, protesting about the size and shape you 'have' to be to be a model.
'#STYLEHASNOSIZE'

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This photo shows that you are beautiful no matter what size or shape you are. Colour does not matter either; every one is equally beautiful and we all have a purpose in life.

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Paragraph about why I chose the clip
I personally chose this clip because Sophie Simmons is explaining that she is not a size 2 and that she refuses to be that size. She has learnt to be comfortable in her our skin and doesn't let those who judge her, affect her everyday life. Sophie says, "You buy clothes that fit you, you don't try fit clothing." I believe that this statement is true because why try and fit a size 14 body into size 8 clothes, it really doesn't make sense. You need to be comfortable wherever you are.

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Sophie Tweed-Simmons: 'I'm Not a Size 2'

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Sophie Tweed-Simmons popped by the Cosmopolitan.com offices to play Carrie Bradshaw (http://bit.ly/1bNAoZu) and to talk about what it means to be an actress that's not a size 2. Don't miss an episode -- Subscribe to Cosmopolitan, like now! http://bit.ly/CosmoYT. Google+: http://bit.ly/CosmoGoogle Twitter: http://bit.ly/CosmoTwitter Instagram: http://bit.ly/CosmoInsta Pinterest: http://bit.ly/CosmoPins Facebook: http://bit.ly/CosmoFB

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Mail Online. (2017). Gene Simmons' daughter was told she was 'not small enough' to model. [online] Available at: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-3641793/Gene-Simmons-daughter-Sophie-says-told-not-small-model-reveals-mom-taught-love-shape.html [Accessed 21 Aug. 2017].

White, C. (2017). Sophie Simmons talks about THAT racy lingerie campaign. [online] Mail Online. Available at: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-3715599/It-s-just-butt-Sophie-Simmons-got-confidence-fashion-world-plus-size-model-racy-lingerie-campaign.html [Accessed 22 Aug. 2017].

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