Getty Images/Huffington Post Illustration
One thing 2016 got right? Body love.
From body-positive activists speaking out on social media to badass women owning the Olympics and even a big guy taking over the dudeoir scene ― this year was full of body positivity and self love.
To celebrate the body image progress made in 2016, HuffPost Women rounded up 21 of the best body image moments we were honored to witness. Scroll below to see some of our favorites.
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Refinery29 Launched A Body Diversity Campaign Called The 67% Project
Alexandra Gavillet/Refinery29 for Getty Images
Launched in September, The 67% Project is a multi-media initiative promoting body positivity and plus-size visibility, both across Refinery29 and the general media and fashion landscape.
The campaign’s name refers to the 67 percent of American women -- or the “invisible majority” -- who are plus size but are so rarely seen in ads, on billboards, in stock photos, in magazines and on runways.
As part of the campaign, R29 partnered with Getty Images to create a collection of stock photos that truly represent the 67 percent. Head here to see more of those photos.
The campaign’s name refers to the 67 percent of American women -- or the “invisible majority” -- who are plus size but are so rarely seen in ads, on billboards, in stock photos, in magazines and on runways.
As part of the campaign, R29 partnered with Getty Images to create a collection of stock photos that truly represent the 67 percent. Head here to see more of those photos.
Carrie Fisher Shut Down Hollywood's Obsession With With Women's Appearances
Jared Siskin via Getty Images
In a January 2016 interview with Good Housekeeping, the late Fisher revealed she was pressured to lose weight for her role in "Star Wars: The Force Awakens."
"They don’t want to hire all of me -- only about three-quarters! Nothing changes: it’s an appearance-driven thing," Fisher said. "I’m in a business where the only thing that matters is weight and appearance... They might as well say get younger, because that’s how easy it is."
She added that beauty should not be treated like an accomplishment. "Everyone in LA says, 'Oh you look good,' and you listen for them to say you’ve lost weight," Fisher said. "It’s never 'How are you?' or 'You seem happy!'"
"They don’t want to hire all of me -- only about three-quarters! Nothing changes: it’s an appearance-driven thing," Fisher said. "I’m in a business where the only thing that matters is weight and appearance... They might as well say get younger, because that’s how easy it is."
She added that beauty should not be treated like an accomplishment. "Everyone in LA says, 'Oh you look good,' and you listen for them to say you’ve lost weight," Fisher said. "It’s never 'How are you?' or 'You seem happy!'"
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#BigGuyTwitter Highlighted Some Really Hot Big Guys
6'5 275lbs to be exact #BigGuyTwitter pic.twitter.com/1L2lwuxBmK
— Mike Byrd (@HOPEdealer_Mike) May 10, 2016
In May, North Carolina teacher Mike Byrd created the hashtag #BigGuyTwitter “as my way of saying embrace who you are and love who you are," he told The Huffington Post.
"I know there’s a population of women out there who look at big guys favorably, so I was like, why not?" Byrd said. "We can be masculine -- we don’t have abs, we’re not the most ripped guys, so just enjoy it and love who we are."
We are all about this.
"I know there’s a population of women out there who look at big guys favorably, so I was like, why not?" Byrd said. "We can be masculine -- we don’t have abs, we’re not the most ripped guys, so just enjoy it and love who we are."
We are all about this.
#ThighsForJeaux Helped Women Around The World Love Their Thighs
1st I'm goin to ask you forget that Im woman. 2nd I'm goin to ask you never forget that I am Woman#ThighsForJeaux pic.twitter.com/5BV8rfo5v0
— UnspokenTruth (@siphokazi_veti) September 1, 2016
Created by South Africa-based Twitter user Mixo, the hashtag encourages women to share photos of their thighs on Twitter in a powerful act of body love. The hashtag created a space where women -- specifically black women -- can embrace their thighs.
Women from around the world shared photos of their thighs and the hashtag trended in South Africa and around the world. Head here to see more beautiful photos.
Women from around the world shared photos of their thighs and the hashtag trended in South Africa and around the world. Head here to see more beautiful photos.
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A Diverse Group Of Women Put On Their Own Victoria's Secret Fashion Show
A group of wonderfully-diverse women decided to walk in their own Victoria's Secret fashion show -- just without those unattainable body standards.
The video, which was produced by BuzzFeed, is an awesome reminder that you don't have to be tall, white and thin to rock a runway. Watch the full video here.
The video, which was produced by BuzzFeed, is an awesome reminder that you don't have to be tall, white and thin to rock a runway. Watch the full video here.
This Husky Dudeoir Model Stole Our Hearts For Good
Joshua Varozza -- a bail bondsman turned dudeoir model -- may be the winner of 2016.
Varozza and photograph Tami Bears teamed up to create three memorable dudeoir shoots: one cowboy-themed, one merman-themed and the most recent is holiday-themed.
Lookin' good, big guy.
Varozza and photograph Tami Bears teamed up to create three memorable dudeoir shoots: one cowboy-themed, one merman-themed and the most recent is holiday-themed.
Lookin' good, big guy.
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A Photo Campaign Offered An Honest Perspective On Women's Relationships With Their Bodies
Created by Australian photographer Amy D. Herrmann, the Kickstarter campaign titled “Underneath We Are Women” featured photographs of 100 women in their underwear proudly showing off their bodies and the different physical and mental hardships each woman has endured.
“I wanted to create a project that was as much about the diversity of women’s bodies as it was about the stories behind those people,” Herrmann said.
More of this, please.
“I wanted to create a project that was as much about the diversity of women’s bodies as it was about the stories behind those people,” Herrmann said.
More of this, please.
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Serena Williams Said She Would 'Never Change Anything' About Her Body
Jacopo Raule via Getty Images
For the August 2016 cover of Self Magazine, tennis superstar Serena Williams was all about that body love.
"I love my body, and I would never change anything about it," Williams said. "I'm not asking you to like my body. I'm just asking you to let me be me. Because I'm going to influence a girl who does look like me, and I want her to feel good about herself."
Round of applause for Serena.
"I love my body, and I would never change anything about it," Williams said. "I'm not asking you to like my body. I'm just asking you to let me be me. Because I'm going to influence a girl who does look like me, and I want her to feel good about herself."
Round of applause for Serena.
Plus-Sized Women Reminded The World They #WearWhatWeWant
Your approval isn't necessary. #WeWearWhatWeWant pic.twitter.com/JWpilh7Qs6
— wise young fattie⭐️ (@SimoneMariposa) July 23, 2016
In July, 23-year-old model and blogger Simone Mariposa created the hashtag #WeWearWhatWeWant to highlight plus-size women wearing outfits that society often deems “unacceptable” for bigger women.
“#WeWearWhatWeWant symbolizes women building their confidence, and loving themselves enough to break the mold and challenge the societal norms of what’s ‘acceptable’ for big women to do,” Mariposa told The Huffington Post.
Head here to see more beautiful photos from the #WearWhatWeWant hashtag.
“#WeWearWhatWeWant symbolizes women building their confidence, and loving themselves enough to break the mold and challenge the societal norms of what’s ‘acceptable’ for big women to do,” Mariposa told The Huffington Post.
Head here to see more beautiful photos from the #WearWhatWeWant hashtag.
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Indian Women Smashed The Stereotype That Strong Isn’t Feminine
In a May 2016 photoshoot for Elle India, seven women showed off their badass muscles. “I have my curves, breasts and hips, and I’m still a woman -- just a very strong one,” Natasha Noel, a 23-year-old yoga instructor who used to be chastised for not looking “feminine” enough, told The Huffington Post.
Head here to see more pictures from the shoot.
Head here to see more pictures from the shoot.
Danielle Brooks And Gabourey Sidibe Showed Some Serious Body Love In Campaign Ad
For Lane Bryant’s fall 2016 campaign #ThisBody, actresses Danielle Brooks and Gabourey Sidibe teamed up with models Candice Huffine, Ashley Graham and Alessandra Garcia to promote some seriously awesome body positivity. In the short ad, all five women dance around in their underwear proudly showing off their curves.
Way to slay, ladies.
Way to slay, ladies.
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Women Kicked Some Serious Ass At The Rio Olympics
Getty Images
From gymnast Simone Biles flipping her way into history books to swimmers Katie Ledecky and Simone Manuel breaking records left and right -- it's safe to say women muscled their way through the Olympics. And it was absolutely glorious.
As shot putter Michelle Carter told The New Yorker right before the Olympics: "You have to understand everyone’s body was built to do something,” the Olympics gold-medalist said. “I was built to do something, and that’s how I was built. I think the world is realizing we were promoting one body type and there have always been many.”
More of this, please.
As shot putter Michelle Carter told The New Yorker right before the Olympics: "You have to understand everyone’s body was built to do something,” the Olympics gold-medalist said. “I was built to do something, and that’s how I was built. I think the world is realizing we were promoting one body type and there have always been many.”
More of this, please.
Ashley Graham Got Her Very Own Barbie
Matt Winkelmeyer via Getty Images
In November, plus-size model and body-positive activist Ashley Graham helped design a Barbie in her likeness. “If I had a Barbie that was my size, I would have thought my size was normal," Graham said. "Young girls now get to grow up seeing that their bodies are normal, which I think is so empowering and encouraging to the younger generation.”
Her only request was that her Barbie's thighs touch: "I was like, ‘Guys, we can make this Barbie, but if her thighs don’t touch, she’s not authentic.'"
Le duh.
Her only request was that her Barbie's thighs touch: "I was like, ‘Guys, we can make this Barbie, but if her thighs don’t touch, she’s not authentic.'"
Le duh.
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