BODY SHAMING IS FOR LOSERS

Photo credit - Chiara Ferragni Instagram (the women on Ferragni's bachelorette party who were unbelievably labeled 'fat' by an Italian publication) 
​

Last week Chiara Ferragni, the famous Italian influencer, turned businesswoman (taking the helm of TBS Crew as Chief Executive Officer in 2017) and new mum, went on her bachelorette party to Ibiza.
 
Ferragni, known for letting her followers in to every aspect of her life, from relationship breakups, to her engagement, pregnancy and her journey in to motherhood and everything else in-between, as expected, shared her time away in Ibiza with us. From partying on a yacht, to videos of her and her friends dancing in bikinis as they laughed with unfiltered joy.
 
Instead of reporting only on what fun the women (and men) were having, instead one of the most well known Italian newspapers slammed her (female) friends bodies. Calling the women ‘fat’ before going on to analyze their bodies, from the size of their behinds to the extra pounds they felt they carried.

Photo credit: Chiara Ferrgani instagram

​​Ferragni quickly hit back at the newspaper, telling her 13.5 million followers,

This article on the Italian most famous newspaper came out saying my friends were happy at my bachelorette even if they weren’t SKINNY and in SHAPE. I think it’s DISGUSTING to give messages like that, especially when so many girls are struggling with their body intensity and self confidence

​Ferragni went on to say she’s never felt perfect but she was always lucky to feel “Confident in my own skin.” Continuing, 

Women have such a hard time feeling beautiful because of so many reason’s. As a role model for so many women I always try and share the message that they mostly have to feel confident. That’s why I am beyond sickened to read such a wrong message shared by such an important newspaper. Different is beautiful. Not perfect is beautiful. Happy is beautiful. Confident is beautiful. Don’t let others bring you down or tell you who you are, EVER. #bodyshamingisforlosers”
 

Photo credit: Chiara Ferragni with her Bachelorette crew
​

Ferragni couldn’t have said it better or with more passion. No publication, or anyone for that matter should be allowed to pass judgment on others. However what’s even more dangerous about the article was not one of the girls on Ferragni’s trip could have been deemed even remotely ‘fat’. However someone reading this, even if not Ferragni’s friends themselves, could send them on a dangerous downward spiral.
 

Photo credit: Chiara Ferragni Instagram 

Which brings me to the point of where we are with the media and social media today. Those in the spotlight posting pictures are instantly faced with some form of judgment in the comments. Ferragni posted an image of her in a skintight dress (above) and one of her followers asked, “Are you pregnant again?” To which Ferrani replied, “Nope girl just gimme time to get my original shape. I had a kid 4 months ago.” ​

Photo credit: Chiara Ferragni Instagram 

​And it isn’t just slamming women for being ‘too large’. Another celebrity with a strong Instagram following, Whitney Port, posted a photo of herself in a bikini (below) with her one year old son and the comments asking her to eat something ensued. 

Photo credit: Whitney Port Instagram
​

Somethingnavy founder, Arielle Noa Charnas has also faced backlash for being seen as too skinny, with people outright trolling her on social media. Previously one to let the comments go, she eventually had to start blocking people to keep the comments at bay. And rightly so, she’s a responsible mother of two girls and good genes clearly run in her family. ​
​

Photo credit: Somethingnavy Instagram 

It seems like a no win situation for women. Lose it too fast and you're accused of starving yourself, too slowly and you're asked if you're pregnant again.

However the pressure new mums feel to lose weight immediately after she’s left the hospital has been hyped up so much as a result of the media, and now even the non famous on facebook and IG seems to have the not so humble, humble brag such as ‘Slowly getting back to it,’ as the new mum stands on her head as she states how she’s just doing the easy yoga moves for the next few weeks. It’s all-over-the-place.

I’m not saying don't post pictures of yourself post baby, far from it, clearly I'm a fan of the women who do. You should be proud of your bodies, but perhaps be mindful of the caption you put next to the photo. The next person scrolling through might be struggling so hard to lose weight after their baby and the context of these photos only help perpetuate a vicious circle which feed the media and their narrative. 
 

My goal has always been to give spotlight to new designers, particularly female business owners. And I hope at least, I’ve always done it in a healthy way that gets some eyes on people who are creating pieces that empower women, fashion that is both moral and sustainable, but also one that allows you to put your best foot forward

I know it’s a dangerous rabbit hole to go down as we seek inspiration on social media and, admittedly, I'm part of the industry plugging trends and focusing on fashion, but my goal has always been to give spotlight to new designers, particularly female business owners. And I hope at least, I’ve always done it in a healthy way that gets some eyes on people who are creating pieces that empower women, fashion that is both moral and sustainable, but also one that allows you to put your best foot forward, by designers who are true artists and slog away in this cut throat industry because of their passion.  Not because they are shallow narcissistic people, in fact quite the opposite can be found. ​

​

Stacy Fan with founder and designer Jenny Lai of NOT design, creating pieces that embrace the female form. 

With Designer Minan Wong, with her sustainable fashion line. 

The Founder of Zvelle, The ethos behind the company is empowering women.

With Elizabeth Solomeina one of the founders of Flying Solo, an incredible store in NY showcasing and supporting new designers.

​There is nothing wrong with caring about how we look and enjoying fashion. I’ve always said it’s a form of art, self-expression and for me, a way to remember special occasions. I always remember what I wore on certain days that were of importance to me and it reminds me of that day. How I felt, like a diary that hangs in my wardrobe.
 

Photo credit: Somethinnavy's Arielle Charnas. 

We are, after all, allowed to feel like our best selves, and it’s not shallow to want to put makeup on, an outfit that makes us feel good about ourselves, or express who we are and what we feel through what we decide to wear, just as long as we know our self worth doesn’t live and die by it. And ironically enough I believe the biggest fashion bloggers out there, (Ferragni and Charnas, I'm looking at you) truly know that. Charnas has often posted in her Instastories, pictures of her post baby, baby bump commenting on what a great angle can do for you, or her honesty about her feelings about her scar post c-section with the hashtag #neverphotoshop (above)
​

Photo credit: Chiara Ferragni Instagram 

​
It’s unbeliebably clichéd to write, but it is so important to remember that truly it is beauty from the inside that makes someone shine on the outside, and that it’s so imperative we be mindful with our words, support one another and do our best to raise each other up, and not tear each other down. 


​