Zara is known for having its models pose in very peculiar positions. So recently, NYC-based curve model and TikToker Remi Bader recreated some of the pictures she found on the website, giving her unfiltered thoughts on how these designs really fit.
The best part is that even if the clothes turn out to be something else than she had hoped for, Remi’s still able to laugh it off and promote body positivity to her 2 million followers.
“Clothing should never make you feel discouraged or upset,” the model told E! News. “It’s no one’s fault, it’s just the way that the fashion industry is.”
NYC-based curve model and TikTok creator Remi Bader decided to put Zara to the test
Image credits: remibader
And recreated some of the pictures she found on the brand’s website with the same clothes its models were promoting
Image credits: remibader
Image credits: remibader
Image credits: remibader
Image credits: remibader
Image credits: remibader
Image credits: remibader
Image credits: remibader
Image credits: remibader
Image credits: remibader
Remi got into the game after she was let go from her job at Tidal in July. “There weren’t a lot of jobs in entertainment at the time so my dad gave me the idea of looking into modeling agencies to be a curve or plus-size model,” she recalled. “So, I sent in photos to a bunch of different agencies. I signed with one of them in August. Although I was super excited, it’s still been very slow. So I was still trying to find something to fill my time, and I started TikTok.”
At first, she was creating content thinking people wouldn’t really see it. She started doing videos like ‘this celebrity is a size 16’ where the woman would copy their outfit and do her own version of it.
Around that time, Remi got a package from either Pretty Little Thing or Nasty Gal and discovered that every single item inside was really tiny even though it was supposedly her size.
“I was taking pictures of myself and Snapchatting to my friends about how insane I looked, laughing about it. I ended up making a video on TikTok and it pretty much went viral and I was shocked,” she explained. “People were really just like, ‘Thank you for bringing this up. This happens to me too, but I never usually laugh at it.’ And then I started continuing it from there and branded it more like realistic hauls because I’ve never seen them.”
Remi’s followers loved the idea
@remibaderPart 2 baby!!!! #remisrealistichauls #zara♬ original sound – Remi Jo
So she made it into a series
Image credits: remibader
Image credits: remibader
Image credits: remibader
Image credits: remibader
Image credits: remibader
Image credits: remibader
Image credits: remibader
Image credits: remibader
Although initially, Remi never planned on anyone besides her close friends seeing these clips
@remibaderANOTHA ONE #zara #remisrealistichauls♬ original sound – Remi Jo
Remi said she now feels responsible for her fans, as if she owes everyone something in a way. “I really feel like my job now is to be there for everyone. I think that’s why people love the videos, like me being as authentic as me. But, of course, there are going to be times when I don’t feel as good: I’m tired, I just need to give myself time to relax.”
“Everyone always asks me is ‘How are you so confident?’ and I really like to tell people I’m not as confident as you think. I lost a lot of my confidence in the past few years. I think it’s a really big process to gain that confidence back, but I’m in the process with everyone else.”
She has found a way to embrace her unexpected online success
@remibaderBEHIND THE HAUL #zara♬ original sound – Remi Jo
And expanded her platform to discuss brand inclusivity, confidence, and mental health
Image credits: remibader
Image credits: remibader
Image credits: remibader
Image credits: remibader
Image credits: remibader
Image credits: remibader
Remi has been really open about her struggles with overeating and mental health.
“I could pay to see a million different therapists and dietitians and I think TikTok has helped me more than all that stuff,” she said. “Although, it’s important when you have a real issue to seek help, too. TikTok is this amazing community of people. My whole community is just people hyping each other up and making each other feel good about things, giving each other advice, commenting on each other’s comments, trying to help each other.”
As the videos continue racking up millions of views
@remibaderI just wish you know how hard it was for me to track down a scooter for this #zara♬ original sound – Remi Jo
As for brands that have pleasantly surprised the creator for producing clothing that actually fits, Remi said that Abercrombie deserves a mention. “A lot of people comment on my videos when I post being like, ‘I won’t even give them a chance because of how I felt when I was a child.’ And I get that, I felt that way. But any brands that are going to make the effort to be somewhat inclusive, I’m going to give them a chance,” she explained. “They actually sent me a lot of clothes and so many of them fit really, really well. They do have a pretty wide range of sizes now and I was pretty surprised and happy with that.”
For plus-size clothing in general, Remi likes American Eagle and Aerie the best. “[They] really got into the space of being inclusive pretty early on and I just love everything I get from them. Also, Good American. It’s definitely pricier, but I think if you find some good pieces it’s really worth it. And then, Reformation. They’re definitely pricier, as well, but I’m really into how they extended their size range.”
People think the parodies are spot-on
If you go to the websites of more expensive, traditional clothing brands, you notice they often give you a choice between viewing the piece of clothing on a model or just the clothing itself. I'm starting to think fast fashion brands don't do this because then the bad quality of their fabrics and sewing would be too easy to see.
Wow, good point. Never thought about it, but you might be right
Load More Replies...
Tbh if this woman was the real model I'd be more inclined to actually buy the clothes. Zara is one of the worst for sizing and it's so hard to judge what products actually look like on. Everyone comes in all shapes and sizes, but there's no/little variety on their website
YES! I came there to say the same thing! I want to see women who look like me and my friends when I shop! I don't want to see women who are 00000000, photoshopped and airbrushed.. it makes me feel like s**t and makes me hate myself when I end up buying the clothes and look nothing like I thought I would since they're all made to fit women who aren't normal sizes. I'm not saying that women who are super skinny aren't normal.. I'm fairly petite but I have curves, I'm short as F**k and I'm somewhat bustier... these models are usually tall af and rail thin... when you're trying to sell clothes to the masses:.. you should probably feature women who align more Closely with the masses!!! They'd probably have way less returns and make a lot more money. Just saying. At the very least, feature more diverse models! It's almost 2022! Havent they learned this yet!
Load More Replies...
It is art, you can't understand it because you are too normal, too poor and too uneducated. /s
You too could be incomprehensible art if you just buy some weird poorly made clothes that only look good if we don't show much of them and put them on the most beautiful people we could find. ;)
Load More Replies...
If you go to the websites of more expensive, traditional clothing brands, you notice they often give you a choice between viewing the piece of clothing on a model or just the clothing itself. I'm starting to think fast fashion brands don't do this because then the bad quality of their fabrics and sewing would be too easy to see.
Wow, good point. Never thought about it, but you might be right
Load More Replies... Tbh if this woman was the real model I'd be more inclined to actually buy the clothes. Zara is one of the worst for sizing and it's so hard to judge what products actually look like on. Everyone comes in all shapes and sizes, but there's no/little variety on their website
YES! I came there to say the same thing! I want to see women who look like me and my friends when I shop! I don't want to see women who are 00000000, photoshopped and airbrushed.. it makes me feel like s**t and makes me hate myself when I end up buying the clothes and look nothing like I thought I would since they're all made to fit women who aren't normal sizes. I'm not saying that women who are super skinny aren't normal.. I'm fairly petite but I have curves, I'm short as F**k and I'm somewhat bustier... these models are usually tall af and rail thin... when you're trying to sell clothes to the masses:.. you should probably feature women who align more Closely with the masses!!! They'd probably have way less returns and make a lot more money. Just saying. At the very least, feature more diverse models! It's almost 2022! Havent they learned this yet!
Load More Replies... It is art, you can't understand it because you are too normal, too poor and too uneducated. /s
You too could be incomprehensible art if you just buy some weird poorly made clothes that only look good if we don't show much of them and put them on the most beautiful people we could find. ;)
Load More Replies...
42
43