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It’s no secret that fashion is one hell of a merciless industry. I mean, how many times have we heard how unrealistic body image standards and high expectations have pushed girls to the brink of insanity? And although the stigma around plus-size models is fading away, the steps are so tiny, it’s barely visible.

Luckily, more and more women are willing to take matters into their own hands and rewrite fashion industry rules altogether. One plus-size model, Denise Mercedes, is doing just that. The size 14 Dominican model has launched a TikTok challenge titled “Style Not Size” with her friend Maria Castellanos. The two friends of different body types are putting on the same outfits, sharing the snack-sized videos to 1.7M followers, and showing that beauty comes in all shapes and forms. Their videos have now been liked a whopping 30.6M times, proving that healthy and happy women rule the world!

More info: TikTok | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | DeniseMercedes.com

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    #2

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    SoozeeQ
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why are people downvoting Debster? I think she meant to be complimentary to the curvier girl. She has a gorgeous figure.

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    When Denise was 16 and a petite size 8, she started submitting her pictures to modeling agencies, but her height was too short for industry standards. She kept on posing for the camera as a side hobby until she turned 21 and had gone up to a size 14.

    According to a statement on her website, Denise started putting outfits together and posting her cool photos on social media. She is an avid advocate of body positivity and runs a campaign #becauseitsmybody dedicated to women of all shapes and sizes. She now has collaborated with many fashion design brands and boutiques like Forever21, Target, and JCPenney.

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    #4

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    denisemmercedes Report

    Debster
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yazzzz! Slender gurl needs some shreds too. Love this pic!

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    #6

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    Maul!
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    love the halter tops!!! is it crochet?

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    There’s a huge gap between fashion industry standards and real-life women, who measure a size 16 around the waist on average in America. Moreover, plus-size girls represent 68% of fashion shoppers, according to Glamour, and yet a very small percentage of them actually work in the fashion industry.

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    Only in 2016, Ashley Graham became the first plus-size model on the cover of Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit edition and paved the way for models with curves. But the model herself told CBS Sunday Morning that she doesn’t like the word “plus-size” because it’s “so divisive to women” and puts them into categories.

    #7

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    Debster
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Actually gives so curves to slender gal. Cute!

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    Many women find the representation of diverse body types in media more assuring. In fact, this study by Florida State University found that women tend to experience deeper body satisfaction and retain a memory of plus-size models better than that of the thinner ones. It also pointed out that exposure to “unrealistic-sized media models” has a negative effect on the consumer’s “mental and physical health, including experiencing lower body satisfaction.”

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    athornedrose
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    she's crushing so many crop tops, and i just don't have the confidence for it. gorgeous

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    #12

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    Donna Leske
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Perfect summer wear. And for haters, they are COVERED, no cleavage, no crack in the back, skirt long enough. Don't be jealous.

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    #13

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    Anne
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think this is the first one I prefer on the slender girl, curvy girl is slaying on most pics

    Mavi Hava
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    wow stylish this one looks really good on both

    Tracey Stammers
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I can't get beyond "Ugh!". Ghastly outfit

    Suki Kröller
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh ma God the curvy one looks so good!!

    Pebblesmax
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFUL

    Nurse Bambi
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Beautiful...both of you pull off these looks quite well. Nobody wore it better.

    Laurentiu
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It doesn't work very well...right

    Rã. R. Field
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Looks like crop tops are really the feature here; even if cold it seems it doesn’t matter... ^ just keep ones immunity strong 💪

    Paper A
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I want to know where they got the thigh highs

    togcrewsc
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    curvy girls just like wat u lookin at

    Lilly's happy place
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    i hate how the curvy girl does those none smile faces to make it seem like she's aggressive or something, whatever she's trying to do

    Beth Porter
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I just wish the curvy girl would smile more though.

    darcy sargent
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    both, except big and beautiful needs to smile!!!

    Heather Menard
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Why does she look so serious

    Mavi Hava
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm sure its a modeling look, you know? I'm sure she's very happy on the inside

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    #14

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    Pam Olson
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is my favorite - it is a pretty color and it looks great on both of them.

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    #15

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    LoPandas
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ooooooh, I like this. I may need to go hunting for a bikini like this.

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    #17

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    #20

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    Ola Polowczyk
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    For a moment I thought it had pockets. I'm so disappointed lol

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    #21

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    #23

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    sJm
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is the first one where I think the outfit suits the slimmer girl better. Else the bigger girl wears everything else heaps better.

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    #27

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    Sandra Simpson
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Personally, I think that this outfit suits slim girl better. No offense to curvy girl.

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    #28

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    Wendy
    Community Member
    Premium
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Curvy Girl nailed that look ♥

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    #30

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    Catlady6000
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The don't look good on either girl, too baggy and too tight

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    #31

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    Gin
    Community Member
    5 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sorry, but the buttons shouldn't be tearing apart. It's a beautiful dress, just get a size larger.

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    #32

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    Donna Leske
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That top is ugly, even on these two pretty girls.

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    #33

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    Sue Knerl
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I absolutely hate the torn pants. I prefer to wear out my own.

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