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It’s no secret that fashion is one hell of a merciless industry. I mean, how many times have we heard how unrealistic body image standards and high expectations have pushed girls to the brink of insanity? And although the stigma around plus-size models is fading away, the steps are so tiny, it’s barely visible.

Luckily, more and more women are willing to take matters into their own hands and rewrite fashion industry rules altogether. One plus-size model, Denise Mercedes, is doing just that. The size 14 Dominican model has launched a TikTok challenge titled “Style Not Size” with her friend Maria Castellanos. The two friends of different body types are putting on the same outfits, sharing the snack-sized videos to 1.7M followers, and showing that beauty comes in all shapes and forms. Their videos have now been liked a whopping 30.6M times, proving that healthy and happy women rule the world!

More info: TikTok | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | DeniseMercedes.com

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    #3

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    SoozeeQ
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    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why are people downvoting Debster? I think she meant to be complimentary to the curvier girl. She has a gorgeous figure.

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    When Denise was 16 and a petite size 8, she started submitting her pictures to modeling agencies, but her height was too short for industry standards. She kept on posing for the camera as a side hobby until she turned 21 and had gone up to a size 14.

    According to a statement on her website, Denise started putting outfits together and posting her cool photos on social media. She is an avid advocate of body positivity and runs a campaign #becauseitsmybody dedicated to women of all shapes and sizes. She now has collaborated with many fashion design brands and boutiques like Forever21, Target, and JCPenney.

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    There’s a huge gap between fashion industry standards and real-life women, who measure a size 16 around the waist on average in America. Moreover, plus-size girls represent 68% of fashion shoppers, according to Glamour, and yet a very small percentage of them actually work in the fashion industry.

    Only in 2016, Ashley Graham became the first plus-size model on the cover of Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit edition and paved the way for models with curves. But the model herself told CBS Sunday Morning that she doesn’t like the word “plus-size” because it’s “so divisive to women” and puts them into categories.

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    Many women find the representation of diverse body types in media more assuring. In fact, this study by Florida State University found that women tend to experience deeper body satisfaction and retain a memory of plus-size models better than that of the thinner ones. It also pointed out that exposure to “unrealistic-sized media models” has a negative effect on the consumer’s “mental and physical health, including experiencing lower body satisfaction.”

    #10

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    athornedrose
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    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    she's crushing so many crop tops, and i just don't have the confidence for it. gorgeous

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    #12

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    Donna Leske
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    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Perfect summer wear. And for haters, they are COVERED, no cleavage, no crack in the back, skirt long enough. Don't be jealous.

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    #14

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    Pam Olson
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    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is my favorite - it is a pretty color and it looks great on both of them.

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    #15

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    LoPandas
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    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ooooooh, I like this. I may need to go hunting for a bikini like this.

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    #23

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    sJm
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    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is the first one where I think the outfit suits the slimmer girl better. Else the bigger girl wears everything else heaps better.

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    #25

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    CincyReds
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    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I could wear this outfit once.....I just can't wear white, something always happens to me in white

    Adriana_Slayz
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    curvy girl is slaying this outfit but maybe cover the chest area a bit more

    maya P.K
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    ohhhhh i love the skirt, and the top matches perfectly, they are both smashing!

    Gloria Polis
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Too much boobage on curvy girl. I can say that because I battled having extra large breasts my whole life. Hard to get clothes to fit or stay buttoned or to NOT look like the "girls" are about to make an appearance at any moment!

    Benjamin F. Rodriguez
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Love it and Debster is right. Just make sure not to spill anything on it, especially spaghetti sauce, it’s a pain in the butt to get out.

    JessRS
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don't like the outfit, it makes me remember school talent shows XD

    Maggie Dougherty
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    To ME, the dark haired girl is showing too much of the goods. Maybe a wee bit more material should of been used, Just sayin...

    Jaybird3939
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    On this one, I think curvy girl could use a supportive bra. But she still looks great.

    1337
    Community Member
    4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Dude, you have been looking at way too many silicone implant boob photos.

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    Mavi Hava
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    ooh, the skirt is very ruffled, I like it. Also, I like white clothes.

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    Sandra Simpson
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    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Personally, I think that this outfit suits slim girl better. No offense to curvy girl.

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    Gin
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    4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sorry, but the buttons shouldn't be tearing apart. It's a beautiful dress, just get a size larger.

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