Activist Madeleine Alizadeh (@dariadaria) is campaigning against fat shaming with her fashion label called @dariadéh.
Day after day, men and women of large sizes are exposed to fat shaming. They are told that they do not eat healthy food and that they do not do sports. Many fashion brands also exclude groups of people by only producing clothes up to a size 42. Madeleine Alizadeh, author, podcaster and founder of dariadéh, proves that there is an alternative route.
A dariadéh customer could not understand why size XXS and XXXL had to cost the same because she claimed that more fabric is needed for larger sizes. Madeleine, also known as dariadaria, explained that fashion should be available to everyone at the same opportunity. But the customer went even further and compared dress sizes with salad bowls and even claimed that very few women would wear size XXXL.
“The comparison with salad is misleading, by the way, because what and how much you eat is up to you. Not the dress size.”
Madeleine then made it clear that she does not want to discriminate against anyone with her fashion brand, especially not people of larger sizes who already experience enough discrimination in everyday life. She explained that the average size for women is a 42, and that it is therefore not at all absurd to wear a size XXXL (50) – at least not any more absurd than a size XXS.
“For me, women who wear XXL are no exception, but an illustration of the fact that bodies come in many shapes and sizes.”
But unfortunately, the conversation was not over yet. The customer explained that she would also not feel discriminated against if people with smaller dress sizes than her paid less for their clothes. “Why should people who do a lot of sports and take great care of their health also co-finance [the clothes in larger sizes],” she argued. Unfortunately, the assumption that people who do sports and eat healthy food do not wear a size XXXL is a widespread myth. But Madeleine did not put up with the customer’s limping argumentation and explained that for her, women who wear XXXL were no exception. They are rather a representation of the fact that bodies come in many shapes and sizes.
In response to this obvious “thin privilege” act, Madeleine decided without further ado to refund 10% of the price to anyone who bought an article in size XXXL on that day.
What we can learn from this conversation is that unfortunately fat shaming is still anchored in many minds and many people with smaller dress sizes who are not aware of their “thin privilege”. They are not accused of being lazy and eating unhealthy food because of their size. For them it is not difficult to find nice clothes in their size in the store. They do not get “well-intentioned” weight loss tips from friends, family or even strangers. And they are not regularly the object of nasty jokes.
What we are also learning is that more and more people like Madeleine – who have a “thin privilege” themselves – are using their reach to draw attention to this abuse. People like model Charlotte Kuhrt reposted Madeleine’s Instagram story and praised her for speaking up and starting a conversation. Curvy girls do not need pity, but solidarity to fight together against fat shaming.
dariadéh for a more conscientious fashion world
Are you looking for a sustainable fashion label that is committed to diversity and also offers large sizes? Then dariadéh is the right place for you!
The label was founded in 2017 by Madeleine aka dariadaria after she decided in 2013 to banish fast fashion from her life for good. Her goal is to create affordable, timeless, high quality, sustainable fashion for everyone and this is exactly what she has achieved with dariadéh.
Not only do the garments look great, but with each purchase 50 cents are donated to charity, neither polyester nor animal products are used, and the origin and processing of the materials are listed in detail. Also, the price of each piece is listed, and fabric remnants are donated to be used to make bandages or scrunchies. The sizes range from XXS to XXXL and are shown on models with different statures. And to make sure you order the right size, the exact measurements for each piece and size are also given.
Edited and translated by April Verite.
