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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at UPR chapter.

Sometimes it seems like everything is about being skinny-diets, workout rutines, juice cleanses- but what happens when being thin becomes extremely exhausting? That’s why I am so motivated with the fact that plus-sized women have a space in the fashion industry. They are here to set an example and to eliminate those stereotypes about women! But, look at how ironic this is…We have plus-sized models, we do, but how many people know what does being a plus-sized model even entail? Since the national average of an American woman is a size 12-14, what makes a size 6 woman a plus-sized model…That is something that I can’t simply wrap my head around.  

Some are speculating that plus sized models are not overweight, so technically they are not even considered plus-sized. Fighting the stereotype is NOT an easy task because imagine all the nasty comments that some of these models receive… “You have a really pretty face for a fat girl. We could’ve picked you if you weren’t so thick.” The double standard is what puts even more pressure on plus-sized women. I mean, there is a messed up conception of what is beautiful. I’ve known girls who are a size 8 or 10 considered plus size because they have thighs or because they’re called fat in the business. Puerto Rico has some plus size women themselves, well of course we do, we’re Latinas… we have curves.

There are agencies specialized in plus-sized women. Rosa Rivera Marrero is an advocate for plus-sized models in the fashion industry, she has her own agency called Divas Plus Model PR that encourages women who are more than a size 8 to join and be in the revolution. These women are responsible for many improvements in the industry, even though, they have been victims of being called fat or other words, they remain strong because they want to see the change. It is truly an inspiration to see how hard they continue fighting for people to recognize that beauty is not measured in size, and not even outside, it’s the inside that counts. 

Times are ever-changing and the modeling world shapes every day in a different size. So, ask yourself, what makes a woman beautiful? Is it here brains, her size, or what is it? Be brave, be bold  and support plus-sized models that are actually plus-sized! 

Nahir Robles was a former member of the Her Campus at UPR chapter from 2013 until 2018. She graduated with a Bachelor's in Integrative Biology. Some of her interests include writing, modeling, and wrestling. She is currently a Her Campus Mentor and works as a Pathology Assistant.
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Suzzette Martinez Malavet is a senior at the University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras studying Information and Journalism. She loves photography, shoes, fashion, social media, traveling and exercising outdoors. She has interned at the Capitol of Puerto Rico, Diálogo Digital, Wapa TV, Telemundo Network, U.S. Census Bureau's Center for New Media and Promotions and the Corporate Communication/Sales & Marketing Department of the U.S. Mint in DC, but her proudest accomplishment was in Spring 2013 when she founded the very first HC Chapter in Puerto Rico, Her Campus UPR. Suzzette is currently the Chapter Advisor of Her Campus American University, Marymount, William & Mary, and GW. She is also a returning intern this semester at the U.S. Census Bureau's Center for New Media and Promotions. This 22-year-old woman is the most career-driven individual you will ever meet. If you want to know a little more about her...if you want to know what makes her tick and what inspires her the most...Unlock the mystery by reading some of her awesome articles!