I Started This Campaign To Encourage People Love Themselves With All Their Differences
Hello, I'm Sylvia Mac, a Burn Survivor who is challenging the fashion industry to become inclusive of those with differences and disfigurement.
My campaign involved people with scars, health and skin conditions who were very brave wearing swimwear sponsored by Swimwear365 and photographed by the famous Sophie Mayanne whose project Behind the Scars went viral. With the support of Sharron Davies, I also want to encourage body confidence by sharing my images with leisure centres & help Every Body to Swim without worrying about others staring.
More info: lovedisfigure.com | Instagram | twitter.com
This post may include affiliate links.
And to think we are able to see the scars on the outside of people, but cannot always see the ones "inside".
Does anyone think we, as humans, will ever get to a point when 'beauty' is FIRST viewed and judged by behavior and actions and then secondly, or even third or fourth, judged on what is on the other shell- skin, hair, size etc? I just want hope that we might get there. When we describe people not as the redhead, the Asian, the tall one (as examples) but rather the nice, the funny, the kind one?
Unfortunately, it is far easier to refer to someone in passing by their visible qualities. If you were just robbed by someone, would you describe them to the police as an "angry, brooding type" or "a short, fat, bald guy"?
Load More Replies...Problem is the fashion industry wants to have people who look good promoting their clothes... although I'm not saying these woman are ugly, I'm just saying that I honestly don't strive to be a burn survivor or have a skin condition and companies want to use models that people strive to look like, so they will buy their clothes that's just how the fashion industry works and if you don't like it just don't buy their clothes 🤷🏼♂️
How sad. I'm the creator of this Photoshoot who wouldn't normally give people like you Drew the time of day. However there are young children, baby in these photos and I always say that anyone anytime in their life can have surgery, accident or come across a health or skin condition. Furthermore I myself am in these pics Im also a Burn Survivor and have a Strength like you would never obtain in your life unless you go through what we go through everyday of our life #equality #diversity. Enjoy your weekend
Load More Replies...My ex once said to me the first night we spent together after I said "I hate them" (my scars). "You should never hate them. Yes they show that you've struggled with bad times but to me they tell me that despite what has happened to you in the past those scars are proof that you were strong, strong enough to fight through everything and anything and come out the other end. And because of that, I think your scars are beautiful".
I am proud of my scars too, I have new ones and other as old as 40 years. Scars from cutting, scars from dermatillomania (people like me with severe depression and OCD often have this joy of picking at a scar over and over and over) My whole body is covered in them. And I am proud of them because I am still here, despite the terrible dark abyss I often find myself, I manage to climb back and star the every day war that I have in my mind and body, that's why I say: I am a warrior and my scars are proof of that.
I had no idea that there was a word for the act of scratching and repeatedly picking at wounds and scabs/stars. Thank you so much for sharing that, I now have a way to explain to people why I do what I do. Xx
Load More Replies...Scars are beautiful. Fierce. I'm proud of every single one I have, and I want the stories behind other people's scars, too. Those stories make that person.
I'm totally not trying to be judgmental - I genuinely want to know. Are these cutting scars?
Pure guess but from someone with similar looking scars I'd say yes
Load More Replies...Scars. They may not look pretty, but they help you remember that the past was real.
Your scars shape you and make you who you are today. I,too, am strong and had to fight and came out shining!!! You ARE beautiful!!!
I really want to hang out with these ladies, hear their stories, learn how they've become so strong (all the women look incredibly strong) and at peace with their own beauty despite overwhelming and unrealistic beauty standards. Sooo empowering!!!
I love the images and idea behind this campaign! My only singular issue with the project is that there isn't a person(s) woman or man depicting the feelings of insecurity and self consciousness that comes with a person being extremely under weight. (I'm not saying the artist should encourage and/or show people's pride in eating disorders by the way!) but I suffer terribly with extremely low weight due to gastro issues (mine being Rumination syndrome and Gastroparesis and absolutely HATE wearing swimwear due to the staring and assumptions/judgement of people who don't know my situation. Everyone always make snap judgments and assume I have an eating disorder and that I've deliberately pushed my body to this state and a lot of the time they feel they are entitled to tell me this themselves. It's very upsetting and hurtful.
Humans judge by sight....we still have a lot to learn.
Load More Replies...istvan makeup is NOT about that. Why can't people understand that??? What is it about makeup that makes so many people so triggered? You're not getting it at all.
Load More Replies...her face, her smile reveals the strenght she has. Thank God for a post that is not about what we see first. I love each and every picture. WARRIOR.
But, the post is about what you see first, not what you percieve to be stregths. To get past all this "you look blah blah" we need to start saying "hey! I like you for you"
Load More Replies...That's a b***h to live with. I'm VERY fortunate that mine is mainly on my scalp. Bless you, hon.
Load More Replies...This article is about loving your scars and marks on your skin bc they are beautiful did you just go through this to make people feel bad about their bodies? You- O I'm bored imma go bring down some self esteems !! P**s off
Load More Replies...I believe she was set on fire by her crazy expensive boyfriend (if she's the girl I think she is).
I wonder who named them 'smart' phones lmao
Load More Replies...She's so cute! She looks like a character in an online comic or something
No flaw. We don't have flaws. This beautiful lady has alopecia. My photo shoot wanted to show people who have health, skin conditions or scars. We want to challenge the fashion industry to become more inclusive of us. America are already making changes :)
She is beautiful! There is nothing wrong with her. I wish I had exotic curves like that 💔
It's not meant to be a beauty contest. They all are stunning in their own way. Jeez.
Load More Replies...Roy has had alopecia from a very young age and scars on his shoulder from accident. His a wonderful brave man.
I have no idea what skin condition she has. Unless it's alopecia. Her skin looks flawless. I hate her a little bit. Lol!
that doesn't deserve down votes. Saying she hates her a little bit is a joke. It's actually a kind of compliment.
Load More Replies...I have scars just like her and I had always been ashamed to wear cute clothes as a kid (I was bullied because of my scars). However, I've learned to love and accept myself with all my scars and I am proud to flaunt them now. I also bought some cute dresses for the first time for my sister's wedding and I'm looking forward to wear them! :)
Hi Kim some people have hidden differences or disfigurements - Avery - birthmarks, Elsie - burn scars, Cayden - eczema :)
Load More Replies...Brian has psoriasis and his a lovely guy Rebekah :)
Load More Replies...I was thinkin' the same thing Rebekah.Looks like a man with a great attitude who is comfortable with himself.
just looking at him made me smile for the first time in a long time
Sylvia Mac's advocacy for body confidence and inclusivity in the fashion industry reflects a broader need for societal acceptance and understanding. Much like how candidates face unrealistic expectations and biases during job searches, individuals with visible differences also encounter unjust hurdles in various walks of life.
Open conversations about these challenges are essential, as discussed in conversations around unrealistic job requirements.
When I think of how much it hurts when you burn your hand on the oven shelf, or your lip on a pizza, and then I look at the extent of some of these scars...wow. Those people have endured real pain, and come through smiling. Amazing.
I love this! It’s so rare we get to see what actual people look like, and to have them photographed professionally and beautifully is great. For some reason we only get access to fake, photoshopped and extremely well cultivated physiques to consume. I love seeing real people. I’m tired of looking at paper dolls and plastic sculptures that mock the human form
I will be sharing their stories over Instagram love_disfigure and facebook group love disfigure x
Load More Replies...What a great campaign and an awesome reminder to love yourself no matter what. Seeing these will remind me to never complain about the varying skin tones that i have on my face that seem to get worse for me with age. I actually used to always wear concealer to cover it up, but stopped long ago because i just dont like to wear makeup.
I’m albino and this actually helped me a bit. I now know being different isn’t so bad.
I've been dealing with keratosis pilaris for years and so scars doesn't bother me anymore. Something that bothers me the most is the way people look disgustedly at my scars and keep questioning like I have infectious disease. Less scars changes people. Other people does.
When I think of how much it hurts when you burn your hand on the oven shelf, or your lip on a pizza, and then I look at the extent of some of these scars...wow. Those people have endured real pain, and come through smiling. Amazing.
I love this! It’s so rare we get to see what actual people look like, and to have them photographed professionally and beautifully is great. For some reason we only get access to fake, photoshopped and extremely well cultivated physiques to consume. I love seeing real people. I’m tired of looking at paper dolls and plastic sculptures that mock the human form
I will be sharing their stories over Instagram love_disfigure and facebook group love disfigure x
Load More Replies...What a great campaign and an awesome reminder to love yourself no matter what. Seeing these will remind me to never complain about the varying skin tones that i have on my face that seem to get worse for me with age. I actually used to always wear concealer to cover it up, but stopped long ago because i just dont like to wear makeup.
I’m albino and this actually helped me a bit. I now know being different isn’t so bad.
I've been dealing with keratosis pilaris for years and so scars doesn't bother me anymore. Something that bothers me the most is the way people look disgustedly at my scars and keep questioning like I have infectious disease. Less scars changes people. Other people does.
