The definition of plus size and curvy is often misused and misunderstood.

The meaning varies according to the different perspectives that people have. People tend to label curvy, as having a big “nyash” and a tiny waist as Nigerians would say.

While plus-size refers to a bigger size of women. In this case, they could be right or wrong.

Depending on personal preferences, some women are comfortable being called “fat” but to others, this might come off as an insult.

There is need to desensitize the term “fat”. Why you ask?

As a society, we consider calling a “big-bodied” woman “fat” to be rude while calling another woman skinny is okay and virtuous.

For example, we address regular models as just models but feel the pressure to label curvaceous models as plus size.

I think that whatever we are - fat, skinny, athletic, whatever it is, we are all worthy of the same things and being loved the same way.

It is high time society stops using and allowing labels to define a person. By saying something is exotic you are saying that something else is a baseline.

Therefore, when you say “plus” in the sense of language or self-description what you are saying is that there is one normal way to be and a plus of that.

Today, Cyberbullies are on the rise. A “plus” person cannot upload a picture on social media without getting thirsty or hate comments like “just hit the gym!” “you going to eat all of that?”, “you are my size”, “that skirt is tiny for you” just because someone is of a larger size doesn’t make them less of a human. They too deserve respect.

You take a look at a magazine or a blog and it gives unsolicited advice on “love yourself, love your body” but the following page bombards you with topics on “How to lose 30kgs in 30days”.

Involuntarily, we are brainwashing and conditioning our minds to rely on social media to help us make decisions on what to consume.

This mostly affects young girls before they make decisions on what to wear, to think, and to act upon.

Fashion is a great entry point to feeling like you deserve nice things and thus we feel the urge to show the world what you have to offer.

I love the way American activists Ashley Graham a model and TV presenter as well as Lizzo Beating famous for her pop music, are on the forefront in championing body positivity among the plus size women and are influencing fashion trends.

Kenya is also growing in terms of plus size fashion with designers such as Neomi Ng’ang’a, actress, designer and founder of Style by Neomi champions for body positivity through the making of plus-size wedding gowns and dresses.

She has also inspired a lot of plus size women in Kenya by opening the first Plus size event that participated in the miss plus world, Houston Texas.

Story By Margaret Wanjiru