Last month we shone the spotlight on the best modest bloggers in SA and, in the spirit of inclusivity, we’ve decided to show appreciation for a few plus-sized beauties you probably didn’t know about before today.
While there have been many online conversations and blogs around what ‘plus-sized’ is and what it should be, we’ve decided to leave the interpretations up to you and celebrate it simply because it exists.
*Alexa, play ‘Bootilicious’ by Destiny’s Child*
1. Thickleeyonce
Slayer of haters and Instagram looks, Thickleeyonce is a Capetonian influencer who takes no prisoners when discussing the issues around body shaming and plus-sized fashion. Her outspoken personality and relatable content puts her on the top of our list of influencers you need to follow. In her Marie Claire Naked Issue Letter she wrote the following:
#DearBody, others may not understand why I walk around like you are covered in diamonds. They look at you and just see flaws; they don’t understand the unconditional love I have for you. I am so happy that I am no longer at war with you; my acceptance of u has brought me peace”.
2. Cynthia Gwebu
A former beauty editor and social media manager for a well-known online beauty community, Cynthia Gwebu is a fashion force to be reckoned with. Known for her aesthetically pleasing feed and gorgeous make-up looks, Cynthia is no stranger to the online spotlight.
3. Alex Beazley
If she’s isn’t strutting her stuff on ShopBrettRobson’s editorials, then she’s posting inspirational messages of acceptance on her IG and vlogging in her spare time. Alex Beazley is a body positive blogger and influencer and we love her for always being her authentic, peachy self. “Self-love doesn’t just happen after posting one picture of yourself in your underwear. It happens when you are constantly striving to be your most authentic self,” she quoted on her IG.
4. Candice Lynn Christians
Candice Lynn Christians lives, breathes, sleeps and eats all things self-love and acceptance. This confident plus-size style maven has been shaking up the industry with her all-inclusive posse of girl bosses and she’s also created a sisterhood movement for women to come together and share their stories and feel included. She’s a mom, a model, a motivational blogger, a body positive activist and an advocate for women of all ages, races and sizes.
5. Candice Manuel
You’ve likely seen her face on our plus-size catalogue or walking the runway at fashion week, but what you may not know about Candice Manuel aka ‘Candashian CPT’ is that she’s made it her mission to uplift and inspire South African women to embrace their natural bodies, irrespective of their size. “As women, it’s easy to think we’ll achieve more and feel better if we looked different, wore a different size, had more money or grew up in a different place – but sometimes this gets in the way of living our best life now. Being the best version of yourself doesn’t mean you have to fit into specific dress size,” she expressed on her Facebook page.
6. Siphokazi Veti
Sipokhazi Veti may have landed on our radar for her plus-sized beauty inspiration, but what truly captured our attention is the graceful acceptance and love that she has for herself and her body. In a recent post, she wrote: “I no longer live in a body addicted to satisfying the ideals of a fearful society. I belong and have returned to my true nature; a divine vessel, full of love.”
7. Le’Chelle Aldridge
As an ambassador for mid-size fashion, Le’Chelle Aldridge understands that it takes a community to promote the message of self-acceptance and that’s exactly what she aims to build. In a recent post, she expressed the following:
“I’m proud of my body. The most attractive attribute about me is probably my brain, my laugh or my sense of humour and I’m comfortable in my skin. Apart from that, I want the media to play their part in representing all women equally! The cool thing is, we don’t need to wait for it to happen ‘one day’, it’s happening today & we can be a part of it!”
8. Charnelle Paulse
Charnelle Paulse is a wholesome soul who minds her own business and we admire her for that, among many other reasons. “You can find me somewhere between inspiring others, working on myself, dodging negativity, not competing with others, and slaying my goals,” she quoted on her IG.
9. Yoliswa Mqoco
Yoliswa Mqoco serves as an inspiration for all who face prejudice for being ‘different’. As a member of the plus-sized movement and the LGBQT community, she’s no stranger to adversity and she doesn’t shy away from addressing those issues on her platform. In an older post of hers titled #DatingAsAFatGirl, she wrote:
“Fat girls need always remember (myself as well, ‘cause I, too, forget this sometimes) that they have a right to exist in their own bodies IN PEACE and without this weird focus on their bodies we’re sometimes suggested to, not just from the general society but from our personal relationships as well. Your body is your business, and your businesses only, not even your lover’s.”
Junetta Syster
Spreading self-love, acceptance and overall good vibes on her platform is what Junetta Syster does best. Full-time mom and model, this plus-sized queen never takes a break from serving us body positivity inspiration on the regular. “Loving yourself for who YOU are is empowering! There’s great freedom in being unbothered by other people’s opinion of you. All bodies are different, all bodies are good bodies,” she quoted.
While you’re here, check out our plus-size collection online!
