Models Want the Fashion Industry to Drop the “Plus” in “Plus Size”

Women and models alike across the country are banding together to fight for a cause that’s plaguing the oh-so-glamorous fashion industry: the term “plus size.” The #DropThePlus movement wants the fashion industry to stop labeling models as “plus size,” noting that it’s just another form of size segregation that’s harmful and unecessary, the BBC reports.

The founders of the campaign, Australian model and face of Dita Von Teese’s lingerie line Stefania Ferrario, and TV star Ajay Rochester (former host of The Biggest Loser), say the term is not empowering, but rather is counter-productive and damaging to young girls’ self-image. “The term implies not normal, or bigger than normal, which is false!” Ferrario posted in an Instagram caption.

“I’m NOT proud to be called ‘plus’, but I AM proud to be called a ‘model,’ that is my profession!” she added.

I am a model FULL STOP. Unfortunately in the modelling industry if you’re above a US size 4 you are considered plus size, and so I’m often labelled a ‘plus size’ model. I do NOT find this empowering. A couple of days ago, @ajayrochester called the industry to task for its use of the term ‘plus size’ by making the point that it is ‘harmful’ to call a model ‘plus’ and damaging for the minds of young girls. I fully support Ajay and agree with her. Let’s have models of ALL shapes, sizes and ethnicities, and drop the misleading labels. I’m NOT proud to be called ‘plus’, but I AM proud to be called a ‘model’, that is my profession! #droptheplus

A photo posted by stefania ferrario (@stefania_model) onFeb 17, 2015 at 7:51am PST

Ajay also took to Instagram to display her support of the movement: “I am a woman. FULL STOP.” Since these photos were posted, many other models have showed their support for the campaign as well by using the hashtag in their photos.

Okay girls! Let’s do this! I am a woman FULL STOP! We are all women. Many shapes and sizes. It’s not us vs them. We are sisters! #droptheplus #labelsareforjars @stefania_model let’s go ladies….it’s your turn. pS that was very hard to write in the mirror lol @dailymail @dazanahair #women #empowerment @officialariajohnson @arkiekirkwood @arkiemotogirl #loveyourself #respect #droptheplus #dropthePLUS 😍👯💗 and make sure you show me YOUR photo so I can repost here!

A photo posted by Ajay Rochester (@ajayrochester) onFeb 18, 2015 at 3:32pm PST

According to Ferrario, models above a size 4 in the modeling industry are deemed plus size. Considering there is a useful numbering system to note a woman’s size, why must we add in “plus” for any sizes?

This doesn’t only concern models — the shopping segregation that consumers experience is degrading and unnecessary. Isaac Mizrahi recently expressed his distaste with “plus size” in an interview with the Huffington Post. “I don’t like segregation, I like incorporation…if you’re going to do clothes, you need to do them in a whole size range.”

Whether you agree that the fashion industry should drop the term or not, it’s had a pretty positive response thus far. This campaign is ultimately a testament to boost women’s confidence, which is the truest form of sex appeal. Ferrario confirmed this on Twitter, saying, “The sexiest thing anyone can possess is confidence. Don’t let society dictate to you what’s beautiful, embrace what makes you different.” Preach on, sister!