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. 

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. 

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.