On Saturday I attended and photographed an event called The Real Catwalk run by Khrystyana (seen on the far left of the picture above). It was a catwalk in the middle of Trafalgar Square created to celebrate bodies of all shapes, sizes, ages, races and abilities full of people strutting the runway in either underwear or swimwear in front of the general public.
If I was them, I would be shitting it! But they all seemed so confident and looked incredible. I know some of them were going through their own body issues and some were out the other side, however, everyone rocked it and really showed the world that nobody should hide their bodies. You could tell by the crowds faces that they were seeing something new and exciting and unrestricted. Yes, you could show your body off and not get anyone point and laugh. You could be admired and applauded!
It's important, especially in fashion and media, to start representing every body type openly and truthfully. None of this, "you're the right kind of curvy", "you have to be size 0 to walk the runway", or "disabled isn't sexy". We are sick and tired of not seeing a representation of ourselves on clothing sites, on Instagram, or in magazines. The body confidence movement isn't really about anything else other than showing that every single body deserves respect. Every single body is a vessel that keeps someone alive and that is beautiful!
I have shared some images below of some of the models during rehearsals and the final catwalk, let it inspire you to show yourself off to the world.
Models from left to right:
@kaisasparkle
@katie_ohara
@charlotteamylouise
@meganeveriley
@lifegoalsonwheels
@tillyy.may
@rachelperu1
@thecurvyqween
@taliaadarling
@amzneill
@kat_v_henry
@totallyshreddedspalding
@foxyroxyfashion
@naala_lartey
@fatstimbo
@toughcookietee
@kizzykisskiss9
@angela_bodyacceptance @always_justbeyou_
@kiteh_does_
@j3ssking17
@schoolofstrut
@abbiierose
@poppywalkerborthwick
@plussizevintagemadame
@wheelsforlife_
@fighting_illness_on_wheels
@rollinfunky
@lea.h_c
@jasmineluciexo
@brins_official
@jess_megan_
@mishadreamwalker
@lovecurvy_laurabrioschi
@_meganalexb
@avafaythompson