A group of plus size models are on a mission to promote body diversity in the fashion industry and show women around the world that beauty really does come in all shapes and sizes.
Ashley Graham, Marquita Pring, Julie Henderson, Inga Eiriksdottir and Danielle Redman appear in an empowering eight-page spread in the latest issue of Iceland’s Glamour magazine.
The five women are part of ALDA – a collaboration of models who want to “alter perceptions, engage and empower other women” both inside and outside the fashion industry.
“It was so much fun! The naked shot happened by accident,” Henderson told HuffPost Style.
“We were waiting for Ashley to get there and started fooling around! It is so amazing when all of us get together.
“We can go weeks without seeing one another, so when we do it makes us all so happy. There is a special magic and chemistry when we are all on set together.”
ALDA, whose name translates as “wave” in Icelandic, came together after its members’ former modeling agency dissolved its plus-size division.
Eiriksdottir explained their mission to Glamour, then provided a translation from print to HuffPost Style.
“Even if it might sound strange since we [are models], which is a lot about the outside looks, we are more interested in building strong self-esteem in women rather then just focusing on the looks,” she said.
“In the last few years, we have organised various events that are about getting women together to do healthy things for the body and soul, while raising money for those in need and giving back.
“We started working with ‘Girl Up’, which is a United Nations [Foundation campaign]. The focus is to empower young girls to become leaders and raise money for girls in need around the world.”
Seeing women such as Graham, Pring, Henderson, Eiriksdottir and Redman proudly baring all shows young girls they do not have to conform to a stereotypical “one size fits all” idea of beauty.
Ladies, we truly hope your mission to create a diverse and equal fashion industry is successful.
See more at Icelandic Glamour.