Costhetics applauds anything that improves self-esteem, and that’s why we’re giving a standing ovation to the Kardashian clan.
They’re fiercely devoted to selfies, but also to the idea of self-acceptance. Each has struggled to stay strong and proud in the face of the once-traditional stereotypes of near-anorexic beauty.
What Google Knows About Butts That You Don’t
In the early part of the 21st Century, fashion runways were the exclusive domain of waif-like models whose “heroin chic” thinness influenced a generation of women to do anything to minimise the size of their buttocks — Spanx, dieting, jogging. The most common bum-related Google searches in 2004 in the U.S. were related to “how to get a smaller butt.”
Times have changed! In 2014, queries for butt reduction surgery were outnumbered in every state by searches asking advice on how to get a bigger butt. According to the American Association of Plastic Surgeons, butt enhancement procedures are now the fastest-growing segment of cosmetic procedures, led by the “Brazilian butt lift,” in which fat is liposuctioned from other regions in the body to pad the buttocks.
Meanwhile, on the runway, plus size models represent women of all sizes and shapes.
Drawing H2T (head-to-toe) kudos was size 16 plus-size model Ashley Graham. The curvy girl struts the catwalk in her own lacy line of lingerie – The Black Orchid collection – during New York City fashion week.
Singer Demi Lovato Calls Kim Kardashian a Revolutionary
In August, singer Demi Lovatotold the Huffington Post that girls today owe a debt of gratitude to Kim Kardashian for making the world more accepting of different body types.
“You can think whatever you want about the Kardashians, but they really did help tons of women feel comfortable in their own skin, and I like to carry that message on.” – Demi Lovato
Lovato developed an eating disorder at 13 that landed her in treatment in 2010. She says retouched images of extremely underweight and bony models skewed the way she looked at herself. Now, she says, “…women like Beyonce and Kim Kardashian (have) completely revolutionised our generation’s view…of what beautiful is.”
3 Top Celebrities Speak Out for Curvy Girls Everywhere
Even Shape, the magazine devoted to fitness, healthy eating and weight loss, is embracing women who embrace their curves. Recently they ran an article on 20 famous faces (and bum’s) criticised in the press, whose owners fought back.
- Beyoncé, – The curvy singer says she wrote Bootylicious in response to media snipes about her backside. “The pressure that people put you under, the pressure to be thin, is unbelievable,” she says. “You should be thinking about building up your character and having fun, and the song was just telling everyone to just forget what people are saying, you’re bootylicious. “
- Christina Hendricks – Criticised for being a ‘big girl’ at the Golden Globes, the star of Mad Men replied, “I thought I looked beautiful. I didn’t tear myself apart.”
- Jennifer Lopez – J’Lo has legendary curves that win her accolades and criticism. She replies, “I like my body. I have a butt, I have boobs, and I have a woman’s curves…I hate to look in a magazine and see a picture of a girl who looks so thin she looks unhappy and as if she just needs someone to give her a good meal.”
The good news for the rest of us is that “love thyself” is now seen as more important than “starve thyself” when it comes to our curves. Kim Kardashian, along with shapely hip-hop icons like Beyoncé and Jennifer Lopez, have redefined what it means to have a beautiful body and a beautiful booty.
At Costhetics, we think that’s great.