Plus-size model Tess Holliday has urged the fashion industry to showcase more diverse races and body types on catwalks and in magazines. The size 26 (US size 22) model appeared on ITV's Lorraine programme, where she emphasised the need for representation.
Speaking to Lorraine Kelly, Holliday said: 'There needs to be diversity in the industry, it's nice to turn on the TV or look in a magazine and see someone who looks like you and to feel like you can identify with them.' She added: 'We need to embrace different body types and talk about it more and not brush it under the rug, there's not one way to be beautiful.'
Holliday, 29, made history in January by becoming the first model of her size to be signed by a top agency, British company Milk Model Management. She has since featured in campaigns for Yours Clothing and Simply Be, and appeared on the cover of People magazine.
The Mississippi-born model, who is a mother to nine-year-old son Rilee, said she hopes to see all kinds of races and body types represented on catwalks and in magazines. She is set to appear at The Curve Fashion Festival in Manchester, an event celebrating plus-size clothing.
Holliday has overcome fat taunts and bullying in her youth, including from her own father. She said being called fat no longer phases her: 'To me it's just a word, but it wasn't until I discovered the body positive community that I became OK with it.'
