MODELLING A SOLUTION TO OUR IMAGE PROBLEM

The Bulletin’s Gold Coast Women of the Year Awards celebrated the inspirational work of females in this city, but, sadly, it remains a problem elsewhere in society

SIZE does matter.

So thank God that here on the Gold Coast, bigger is better.

Or at least, it’s beginning to be.

As we celebrate the nominees, finalists and winners of the Bulletin’s Gold Coast Women of the Year Awards, I’m reminded that as much as we applaud their accomplishments, so many of us are still fighting an image problem.

And that image is the one reflected in the mirror.

I hate to bring it back to our shape and looks when it’s our minds and hearts that we can credit for our achievements, but our body is the elephant in the room. Figuratively, that is.

I grew up in the ’90s, a time when anything other than “waif” or “heroin chic” was considered plus-sized. A time when brunette hair was considered “diverse” in this city. A time when there was no fight against fat shaming … it was a simple case that if you were fat, you should be ashamed.

While I may now proudly fly the feminist flag, and while I well understand the diet of lies that I was fed, and while I know that less really is not more, it’s harder to lose that lesson than those notorious last five pounds.

And nothing makes me more aware of that than mothering a daughter.

Yet I know that I have it easier than many … after all, she and I are white, ablebodied and neurotypical. We don’t have to fight the big battles.

Still, I find myself watching my words like once I controlled my calories, trying to model a mentality that my mind does not always believe.

I try to praise both my body and hers, without making it weird … but also without making it too big of a deal.

I’m constantly secondguessing myself. Should I encourage her to eat healthy foods or just let her eat as her body feels? If I tell her she’s beautiful, is that building her confidence or placing too much emphasis on the physical?

How do I tell her not to worry about her size and shape (because she honestly has nothing to worry about), when I know she’s going to worry whatever her size and shape may be?

I feel like I’m surrounded by landmines, one false step and I’m going to blow her body – or her body image.

So thank goodness that where I fear to tread, society is slowly marching forward.

Miami Swim Week, the annual fashion show that traditionally featured blonde glamazons in tooth-floss, hit the headlines this week with catwalks that showcased women of all shapes, sizes, ages and abilities.

The Sports Illustrated show gave fans a taste of their annual swimsuit issue, and it seems that this year’s trends include cellulite, scars, lumps and bumps.

Meanwhile, Victoria’s Secret recently announced a cast of new “angels” that include American athlete Megan Rapinoe, actress and activist Priyanka Chopra Jonas and the brand’s first transgender model, Vanetina Sampaio.

It speaks to the fact that, despite our own inner doubts, diversity sells.

Just ask Nikki Mann, founder of the Gold Coast’s Everi-Body - a modelling agency whose mission is to diversify the industry so that every person can see themselves represented. And a model agency that’s booking major campaigns with fashion icons like Lorna Jane, Bonds and Myer.

She’s not just witnessing but writing history. And it’s a history that, for my daughter, will change her story.

“The world is changing. People are celebrating differences and it’s not just lip service – these models are getting booked solid and the products they’re selling are flying off the shelves,” says Nikki.

“We still have a ways to go … Sydney Fashion Week was a real disappointment, one of our models is a size 12 and she was the biggest girl in her show and considered “diverse”. That’s backwards.

“But here on the Gold Coast, we’re actually ahead of the game. We’re championing these girls and they’re getting so much love.”

And some of that love comes from me and my daughter. When we walk through Pacific Fair together, I can point out those models of different shapes, sizes and colours … and my daughter can believe me when I say that beauty is not one size fits all.

And sometimes, I can even believe it myself. Now that’s an achievement.

Despite our own inner doubts, diversity sells

Picture: Fernanda Calfat/Getty Images Events like Miami Swim Week are finally starting to realise that a fashion show is about the fashion, not the person wearing it, but we still have a long way to go.