Dear Cosmopolitan Magazine,
You are one of the most influential publications in the world when it comes to beauty, relationships and fashion. Each month, readers across the globe open your contents to see the latest trends and tips. While some articles in your magazine can be outlandish, readers are always enticed by the controversial topics that they include. Yet, the November issue of Cosmo caused every outlet of social media to stir. When you all shared the above picture with your Facebook followers, the photo went viral after you named model Robyn Lawley “plus-size”.
Although you all were very complimentary of Lawley’s figure, calling her “BEYOND” in her “sexy swimsuit”, let’s all pause for a moment to face the facts. The fashion industry tries to manipulate the way in which we view our bodies. And they succeed. Our idea of perfect is someone with Barbie-like qualities, the perfect 10 that doesn’t exist in every day society. “Perfect” is the retouched woman we see all over your magazine. It is hard to break away from the standards of the fashion industry, so starting small is important. What is one small way to begin to break away from those standards? By referring to your models as models. The word model doesn’t need a descriptive adjective, unless those adjectives are the words “beautiful” or “sexy”.
Each time that I look at that photo of Robyn Lawley, I think to myself, “If she is plus-sized, then what am I?”. And I know that I am not the only one. She has a figure to die for, with her gorgeous face, tanned skin and toned physique. When I look at that picture, I do not think about the number that on the inside of her bikini. I see an absolutely beautiful model. It is about time that the world stops addressing women by their size, and begins to look at them for their beauty inside and out.
Sincerely,
Women everywhere
