Yahoo LifestylePlus-size model Robyn Lawley slams thigh-gap culture: ‘The truth is I couldn’t care less about it’
Ralph Lauren model said she’d have to change her entire body shape to try and get a gap between her thighs, so she’s focused on being strong instead
A plus-sized model has slammed the thigh-gap culture of women posting ‘thinspiration’ of skinny models online in the hope of achieving a gap between their legs.
US model Robyn Lawley – who’s a UK Size 12 but deemed ‘plus size’ by the modelling industry – admits that she’s witnessed the thigh-gap trend since before she was a teenager.
“The sad reality is that I’ve known about the “thigh gap” since I was 12—and there is nothing about this trend that’s new to me,” she wrote in a column for The Daily Beast.
The first plus-size model for Ralph Lauren said she grew up ‘inundated’ with images of women with gaps between their thighs – but it’s not a natural body shape for her.
“The models’ legs would never come close to touching, even as they stomped down the runway,” she said.
“Staring down at my own thighs, I can safely say that has never been the case for me.”
Last year, a photo of the 24-year-old surfaced on a Facebook thigh-gap ‘thinspiration’ page.
After attracting negative comment with users calling her ‘hefty’ and a ‘pig,’ the model waded into the debate, defending her figure – but she still sees it as a problem nowadays.
“The truth is I couldn’t care less about needing a supposed ‘thigh gap.’” she confessed.
“Why would I want to starve and weaken my natural body size? I’m not saying women who have it naturally are unattractive. But I would have to change my entire frame just to achieve something that seems so trivial.”
And in keeping with the mantra that it’s important to be strong, not skinny, Robyn says she’s focused on strengthening her muscles – NOT achieving a thigh-gap.
“I want my thighs to be bigger and stronger. I want to run faster and swim longer,” she said.
“I suppose we all just want different things, but women have enough pressure as it is without the added burden of achieving a ‘thigh gap.’”
We hear you, sister.
[Robyn Lawley proves no airbrushing is necessary for Panache's plus-size lingerie Sculptresse]
