The body positivity movement has really taken off in the past few years. Society's conception of what is considered "attractive" is oft unachievable, and certain individuals have made it their life's mission to showcase alternative ideals of beauty. But while many of the plus-sized models we see are female, Arcadio Del Valle weighs 29-stone and is committed to championing diversity in the fashion industry.
The plus-sized model always wanted to work in fashion, but feared his weight would quash his chances of success. But thanks to the body positivity movement - he is now working in his dream industry - albeit on his own terms. Del Valle has walked the runways at New York Fashion Week, and his unapologetic Instagram posts have amassed a legion of followers, inspired by how his candid snaps are helping to break down fashion norms.
Arcadio Del Valle's topless photos are encouraging men of all walks of life to celebrate their bodies - big or small, tall or short. After a long struggle with confidence and body positivity, the 30-year-old has embraced his 5XL frame, and has been taking this year's Fashion Week by storm.
The model's career really took off in 2016, when plus-sized streetwear brand, Volare, booked him to walk at the Fashion Week festivities in New York. Since then, the Boston, Massachusetts native has walked in three major runway shows, including ASOS and MVP. And naturally, having these credentials have boosted his confidence tremendously.
Speaking about his journey, Del Valle asserted "Growing up in a world where the media urges you to look a certain way, to be a certain weight and to fit into a mould, it becomes engraved in your head."
"I wasn’t happy with myself growing up and in my early twenties," the model continued, before sharing that he was inspired by fellow plus-sized model and activist, Tess Holliday. "When I saw people like plus-sized model Tess Holliday loving their bodies and embracing fashion, it inspired me to start doing the same. I began sharing photos of my outfits and my style on Instagram and I was inspired by the good feedback I was getting."
"My whole message is that even if you look a certain way or are a certain size, you can still love fashion and you can do anything you want. It’s been humbling to find this confidence in myself."
Though Del Valle says that the majority of the people who comment on his posts have been positive and encouraging, he has faced abuse from online trolls. "They criticise my body shape and size and the fact that I wear makeup. They say I shouldn’t expose so much of my body because I’m big. They say I am promoting obesity and that being unhealthy is acceptable and that is not the case at all," he asserted.
"All I want to do is to promote self-love and acceptance as you are, regardless of your size, gender, or disability. My point is for you to take those flaws and use it to help others embrace it and work with it. In my ideal world high-end brands like Gucci to Louis Vuitton, and high street stores like Old Navy and Gap would make clothes for people my size and finally include us in fashion."
"There is a market out there, if they just open their eyes. Bigger guys love fashion too. I just want everyone to be able to express themselves," he added
Well, Arcadio Del Valle is certainly doing his part for the body positivity movement. And good on him!
