It’s no secret that the fashion industry hasn’t quite mastered body positivity. It is now the responsibility of models, influencers, and photographers to initiate change and create new norms. Indeed, many of them are working relentlessly to achieve that very goal.
A few years ago, Denise Mercedes and Maria Castellanos, two best friends and social media producers, became viral with their “Style Not Size” project, which encourages body positivity. They continue to advocate that people of all shapes and sizes should not be limited by what the fashion industry deems acceptable.
They are taking this philosophy into everyday life on the streets of New York, where the pair will wear the same suit while having very different proportions. The final product is reassuring and affirming, and it calls for an end to the shame that comes with wearing the “wrong” clothes on the “wrong” bodies in our culture.
Check out these recent “Style Not Size” ensembles by scrolling down!
Denise: DeniseMercedes.com | TikTok | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
Maria: Instagram | TikTok | YouTube
Credits:boredpanda
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Three years ago, Maria had the concept for the now-viral “Style not Size” initiative, in which models of varying sizes wear the same bikini for photographs. After its initial viral success, Denise told Bored Panda, “we continued performing it here and there since people responded so favorably to it.”
More than 1.5 million people have seen the first video the now-famous couple posted to TikTok, and they have no plans to slow down. According to Denise, “After TikTok had gotten big, we decided to shoot a fun video,” and that’s when it became viral.
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Initially, Maria and Denise wore outfits that were identical in style but not in detail. What I mean is that I think we all want to break some rules and try something new. Maria told Bored Panda, “We went all out to highlight how one style can be worn by many different people.”
The positive reception from the public encouraged the pals to turn their pastime into a profession. They are paid to inform the public about the boundless potential of fashion. Maria and Denise not only post more frequently and in a wider variety of styles now, but they also post more frequently and in a wider variety of styles overall.
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Even while most viral content loses its relevance with time, it’s no surprise that the Style Not Size project is as popular now as it was when it first appeared.
The pair advocates for expressing individuality via clothing and embracing one’s physicality. The partners think it’s high time for individuals to stop comparing themselves to others, and they’re hoping their “Style Not Size” initiative will help others do the same.
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Regardless of how others perceive us or the size of our bodies, however, Denise remarked, “The fact that we can encourage so many women to feel secure and be themselves makes us want to continue this movement.” The couple is overjoyed after receiving so much support from their online followers.
Denise’s go-to outfit for curvaceous women in the fall is “some high-rise mom jeans, boots, a blouse, and a leather jacket.” The outcome can only be positive!
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