A 23-year-old model has written an open letter to her (now former) modelling agency after they told her she was “too big” and “out of shape” to work in the fashion industry.
Charli Howard, who has modelled for the likes of Harper’s Bazaar and world-famous photographer Rankin, claims her agency – which she has declined to name – suggested she could lose an inch off her hips despite being a UK size 6 -8.
“In case you hadn’t realised, I am a woman. I am human. I cannot miraculously shave my hip bones down just to fit into sample size piece of clothing or to meet ‘agency standards,’” she wrote on Facebook.
“I refuse to feel ashamed and upset on a daily basis for not meeting your ridiculous, unobtainable beauty standards.”
“The more you force us to lose weight and be small, the more designers have to make clothes to fit our sizes, and the more young girls are being made ill. It’s no longer an image I choose to represent.”
The letter, which Howard later explained she wrote a day after being dumped from her agency for having “skin and weight issues”, has garnered plenty of praise and support from aspiring models, everyday people, and concerned parents alike.
Howard says she is committed to putting her health first, and has also announced she has been picked up by modelling agency, Muse NYC.
“Thrilled to be part of an agency that celebrates different sizes and ethnicities,” she wrote.
Well done for standing your ground, Charli!
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