All bodies are beach bodies

We’re getting into the swing of summer and this year, consider your body already beachready. Dove influencers tell us all about owning body positivity and being comfortable in the skin you’re in.

Lesego Legobane Entrepreneur, 26

For those who don’t follow you yet, please introduce yourself.

My name is Lesego Legobane, better known as Thickleeyonce. I’m 26, I’m a published photographer, entrepreneur; I co-own a shop called Leebex that specialises in plus-size clothing. I’m also a model, a vlogger and digital influencer.

What is your definition of inclusive beauty?

Beauty with no conditions or criteria – where everyone is celebrated regardless of their skin colour, body size, shape and features.

How would you redefine ‘traditional’ beauty?

I have redefined what traditional beauty is by setting my own standards. I don’t live up to societal standards, I live up to my own. To live up to society’s expectations is impossible. You can’t please everyone.

What makes you feel most beautiful in your own skin?

Swimsuits, minis and crop tops! I feel so beautiful when I show off my skin.

What do you consider as the most harmful beauty stereotypes still prevalent in society?

The obsession with beauty itself is extremely harmful, the pressure of being ‘beautiful’ in the social media era is immense. Everyone is expected to have a small waist and fat bum, and the diet culture continues to be harmful to many women. Colourism still exists and is really harmful too.

As we approach beach season, the words ‘bathing suit’ fill many with anxiety. What would you say to women who feel this way?

Whatever body you have this summer, that’s your summer body, baby! Enjoy it. Don’t spend your life waiting to lose weight to enjoy things like going to the beach or pool in a comfortable sexy swimsuit. You deserve the same freedom as everyone else!

How will you be celebrating body positivity this summer season?

I’ll be shooting a SUMMER IS OURS campaign for Leebex with plus size women who have never been in front of the camera before. I love discovering new models, especially those who don’t think they can do it. It’s beautiful to see how excited they get at the end of the shoot when they realise that they’re just as capable.

What do you love about Dove’s Project #ShowUs – is this the direction we should be moving in?

I love the fact that the campaign encourages media publications to be diverse. If I grew up in a time where I could pick up a magazine that represented all kinds of beauty, my life would have been easier and loving myself wouldn’t have been such a challenge. So, yes, we definitely should be moving in this direction. More diversity. More representation.

How do you define inclusive beauty and self-acceptance?

For me, inclusive beauty is beauty without conditions or criteria. It doesn’t discriminate against anyone’s skin colour, hair texture, gender or body size. Self-acceptance means loving yourself, even when society tells you you’re flawed. It is also the root of self-love. It is embracing who you are, without having to apologise.