Let's Make This The Summer Of Body Positivity
This summer, let’s reclaim the joy of walking onto the beach—or deck or dock—removing your cover-up and feeling like a million bucks. (Blasting Lizzo’s “Juice” while doing so is optional, but highly recommended.)
Yes, a swimsuit that fits like a dream can go a long way toward full-body empowerment, but that’s only part of the solution. It’s hard for the average non-supermodel to feel confident in swimwear—most of the images of swimsuit-clad women we see online and in the media represent a very narrow slice of womankind. But research shows that looking at imagery that more closely resembles one's own body type can improve mood and self esteem, and reduce the likelihood you’ll compare yourself—often unfavourably—with the woman in the photo.
For the June/July 2019 issue of Chatelaine, we wanted to do our small part to help shatter the persistent myth that only a certain subset of bodies looks stunning in swimsuits. And so, for this cover shoot and accompanying swimsuit feature, we cast seven “Everywoman” models—Aisha Fairclough, Farhana Islam, Sarah Nicole Landry, Mandy McIsaac, Charandeep Parmar, Jessica Prudencio and Mui Tang—and then sat back as photographer Katherine Holland captured their joyful confidence (and super-cute swimwear!). It was a master class in body positivity, and exhilarating to behold.
We hope the following images, and the brilliant advice that accompanies them, leave you with a similar exuberance.
Aisha Fairclough
“Body positivity isn’t just about size—it’s about race, gender, sexuality, ability and true inclusion. Body positivity is also about using your voice to advocate for others and yourself. Because if you don’t believe in yourself, no one else will.”
Swimsuit, $70, oldnavy.ca. Something Navy shoes, $129, hat, $49, nordstrom.com. Earrings, $105, ilovebiko.com.
Mandy McIsaac
“Body positivity isn’t about celebrating only when you’re at an ‘idyllic’ weight, it’s about forgiving your body for its ebbs and flows.”
Swimsuit, $65, gapcanada.ca. Sandals, $27, oldnavy.ca. Sunglasses, $94, urbanoutfitters.com.
Charandeep Parmar
“Focusing on the little things is what has helped me the most with my own body positivity. I have bruises on my knees, I have cellulite, scars all over from playing sports, but I’m okay with them because each tells a story.”
Top, $33, bottoms, $27, oldnavy.ca. Heirloom hat, $160, pinktartan.ca. Sunglasses, $94, urbanoutfitters.com.
Mui Tang
“I used to be painfully shy. I found my self-confidence through working out after I had my baby. When I feel strong, I feel empowered.”
Chelsea28 top, $63, Chelsea28 bottoms, $63, nordstrom.com. Earrings, $75, rebekahprice.com. Sunglasses, $94, urbanoutfitters.com.
Sarah Nicole Landry
“The reason we don’t see other people at the beach wearing bikinis with stretch marks, loose skin or cellulite is because we’ve been so afraid to do that. I want to show up and change the conversation for another woman.”
Top, $143, bottoms, $97, unikaswim.ca. Sandals, $15, oldnavy.ca. Earrings, $95, ilovebiko.com.
Jessica Prudencio
“I see my cellulite, my stretch marks, my belly and all those little things that sometimes confound me. But I especially see myself for who I really am: a woman who is unapologetic about her body.”
Top, $40, bottoms, $40, oldnavy.ca. Earrings, $75, rebekahprice.com. Sunglasses, $20, urbanoutfitters.com.
Farhana Islam
“I have always been curvy. Growing up, I faced a lot of pressure to lose weight. But I’ve never felt the need to look like what society thinks is the ideal image of a woman.”
Headpiece, $50, top, $399, bottoms, $129, unikaswim.ca. Earrings, $65, ilovebiko.com.
Creative direction by Sun Ngo
Photography by Katherine Holland
Set & prop styling by Caitlin Doherty
On-figure styling by Talia Brown
Makeup & hair by Sophie Hsin for Bite Beauty/Moroccan Oil/Plutino Group
Produced by Mark Ocampo and Emily Rivas
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