When you hear the word “model,” Heidi Klum, Adriana Lima, or some other Victoria’s Secret Angel probably comes to mind, but Tess Holliday is setting out to change all that. She’s tattooed, she’s short, she’s plus-sized, and she’s proud. The 29-year-old Los Angeles based sensation broke new ground earlier this year as the first size 22 supermodel to be signed up by a major modeling agency, London-based MiLK. At 5’4″ and 220 pounds, there is no other model like her.
Now, Tess is sharing her first photo shoot’s images.
Being plus-sized hasn’t kept Tess from living a full life. She’s married to Australian businessman Nick Holliday and has a son, Rilee. Don’t think just because she’s big, she doesn’t work out. Tess works with a personal trainer as well as hikes and swims.
Holliday self-describes as a feminist and a “body positive activist.” In 2013, she started her #effyourbeautystandards movement on Instagram. The movement shows women that they do not have to be a certain size to love their body (big or small) and that their size should not dictate their fashion choices.
Tess is bombarded with praise from hundreds of her Instagram and Twitter followers, but along with positive comments, Tess receives criticism, some accusing her of glamorizing an unhealthy lifestyle and body image. But Tess hit back recently with a powerful Instagram post writing, “To the critics, I will tell you what I DO promote: positive body image and loving yourself when you look in the mirror today. My goal is changing the negative thinking, the prejudice, NOT the person. I believe everyone’s health is their own journey and their privacy rights should be respected.”
Love her or hate her, it looks like Tess is here to stay.
Tess Holliday Is Redefining Our Perceptions Of Beauty
